The authors agree that the surname derives from the Greek petalàs, a term that designated the smith or farrier, in reference to the trade of the first bearer of the surname. F. Miranda further notes two alternative etymologies of Arabic origin: bayt Allah, with the meaning of 'house of God', and hibat Allah, with the meaning of 'gift of God'.

As to its geographic distribution, E. Rossoni documents it in Sicily, with a presence in the Messina area —specifically in San Teodoro—, in the Catania area —in Catania, Paternò and Adrano— and in the Enna area —in Leonforte and Nicosia. Miranda broadens this panorama and indicates that the surname is concentrated mostly in Sicily, with a presence in the provinces of Catania, Messina, Syracuse, Palermo and Enna, and notes specific pockets also in Sardinia, Lombardy, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Lazio, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige.