E. Giraudo notes that the surname derives from the cult of Saint Macarius, whose Latin form Macarius comes from the Greek Makarios, with the meaning "blessed, happy". He documents historical forms such as Maçarius (in the year 1262), which show the palatal shift characteristic of the earliest phase of the local dialects. Geographically, he places it as typical of the Cuneo area, with a particular presence in Boves, Cuneo and Vernante.

G. Rohlfs agrees on the Greco-Byzantine origin and on the meaning of the etymon μακάριος ("blessed, happy"), but places the surname in southern Italy: he records it in Catanzaro and Cosenza, in the Girifalco area within the province of Catanzaro, and also notes it as Neapolitan. He adds that in Greece the surname form Makaris survives.

A. Bongioanni notes that the Greek given name is the equivalent of the Latin Felix ("happy") and that it was linked to two anchorite saints of the 4th and 5th centuries, celebrated on 2 and 15 January. He mentions as derived or related surnames: Maccari, Maccarelli, Maccarellini, Carelli, Caretti, Carini, Carotti and Caroti.

The source of P. Durante agrees on the Greek origin and on its character as a given name, without adding information beyond what has already been set out.