The surname Paglia has its origin in a nickname and is at the same time an occupational surname, derived from the term paglia ("straw"), and from the various words and derivatives associated with this material. On this point E. De Felice, F. De Laurentiis and E. Rossoni agree, noting that the surname could have originated both in nicknames related to characteristics or activities linked to straw, and in occupational names (straw workers) or references to the environment.

E. De Felice and F. De Laurentiis further highlight the richness of derived forms (pagliaio, pagliaro, diminutives such as paglietta), as well as possible figurative or even ironic senses in some contexts. Along the same lines, E. Rossoni adds that it may also be linked to place names formed from this term or to places characterized by the presence of haystacks, thus reinforcing its both descriptive and territorial character within the formation of Italian surnames.