The authors agree that this surname is of Sicilian origin and is linked to place names formed from the term giardino ("garden"). E. Rossoni notes that it would derive from the place name Giardina Gallotti, in the Agrigento area. F. Miranda broadens this perspective and indicates that the surname may come either from a nickname given to the first bearer or from various place names, among them Giardino —in the Bologna and Vercelli areas—, Giardini Naxos —in the Messina area—, Giardina Gallotti —in the Agrigento area— and Giardinello —in the Palermo area—. All these place names would derive from the Germanic gart, which means "enclosed and defended place".

According to Miranda, the surname is widely spread throughout Sicily, with a notable presence in the Messina, Catania, Palermo, Agrigento, Syracuse, Caltanissetta and Enna areas. It also extends to other regions of Italy, such as Lombardy, Piedmont, Lazio, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Veneto and Campania.