The authors agree that this surname has a Lombard toponymic origin. E. De Felice notes that it derives from the place names Gorla —now part of Milan—, Gorla Maggiore and Gorla Minore, in the Varese area, and Gorle, in the Bergamo area, as well as from the demonym Gorlino.

E. Rossoni agrees on the toponymic origin and mentions the same cores of Gorla Maggiore, Gorla Minore and Gorle, adding also Gorlago, in the Bergamo area. Rossoni further specifies that the form Gorlani would correspond to the area between Brescia and Cremona, while the variant linked to Gorla is found throughout the region of Lombardy.