The authors agree that the surname derives from a nickname referring to the physical appearance of the founding ancestor, specifically related to the eyes. According to the linguist G. Rohlfs, Occhino is the equivalent of Ucchino and means "child's eye" or "tender eye".

E. Rossoni notes that the surname is typical of the eastern coast of Sicily, with a specific presence in the Messina area. F. Miranda broadens this geographical distribution and indicates that, within Sicily, the surname is concentrated in the Messina area —in localities such as Messina, Montalbano Elicona, Limina and Giardini Naxos—, in the Catania area —Catania, Riposto, Giarre and Fiumefreddo di Sicilia—, in the Palermo area —Palermo and Carini— and in the Enna area —Enna and Regalbuto—. Miranda further adds that the surname appears outside Sicily, in regions such as Lombardy, Piedmont, Campania, Liguria and Veneto.