This is the given name of one of the Magi, coming from a Semitic root with the meaning "king". The popular Tuscan form is Marchionne (also present in Lombardy; the character Marchionn di gamb avert by Carlo Porta is celebrated). From it derive shortened forms such as Cionne and -nno (which should not be confused with Cione, the equivalent of Bellincione).

In Venice, the names of the Magi (Gaspare, Marchiò and Baldissera) enjoyed great popularity. Among the derived surnames are Marchiori, Marchioro, Marchió, Macchió, Macció, Malchiodi, Chiovato, Chiò (also present in Piedmont), Chiodi, Chiodini and Marcóra (proper to the Cadore, by analogy with Baldissera; also the name of a mountain).

In Piedmont there further appear Maciotta (from the Biella area), Macchioratti, Macchiorlatti (excluding a possible relation with the etymon maciurlà, the equivalent of maculatus), Chionio and Chionetti.

The most illustrious surname derived from Melchiorre, however, would be Machiavelli. A. Bongioanni claims for himself the credit of this finding, if such it be. The Machiavelli would constitute a branch of the Buoninsegni. The Genoese variant is Macchiavello. In Tuscany the surnames Chiavelli, Chiavolini and Chiavacci likewise survive.