The scholars consulted agree that the surname derives from the Italian common noun pelliccia ("fur coat") and the occupational term pellicciaio, both used as a nickname or professional designation for someone who worked with animal hides or sold fur garments. This usage is documented as early as the 12th century. The same interpretation is supported by the source Surnames in Italy, which identifies pelliccia in the sense of "fur" as the basis of the name and confirms its occupational character.

E. De Felice further documents a broad range of regional variants that developed from the same root. In northern Italy, these include Pel(l)izza and Pel(l)izzaro, as well as Pel(l)issa and Pel(l)issèro. In the far south, the corresponding forms are Pillìccia and Pillicciàru, together with Pellittèri and Pillittèri. Geographically, De Felice notes that the form Pelliccia predominates in the area of Naples, while Pellizza and Pellizzi are more common in Liguria, Pellizzari in the Veneto, and Pellissero in Piedmont. Pellitteri and Impellitteri are characteristic of the southernmost areas of Italy.