E. Rossoni notes that this surname would derive directly from the given name Giobbe (the equivalent of the biblical Job), probably borne by the founding ancestor of the lineage. The surname has an isolated presence in Genoa, in Oliena —the Nuoro area, in Sardinia— and in the Naples area, specifically in Naples and Torre del Greco.

A. Bongioanni adds that the Hebrew name of origin, Iiob, would mean "he who endures the injustice of men and of fate", and that its feast day is celebrated on 10 May. Bongioanni also notes the existence of a church of San Giobbe in Venice. As for the variants of the same given name turned surname, he distinguishes forms by region: Gioppi in the Venetan area; Giobbe in the Naples area; Giobbio and Giovio in Lombardy; and Iob, Iop and Ioppi in the Friulian area.