E. De Stefani interprets this surname as a shortened form, possibly derived from Fedrighini —a surname still known in Friuli—, although it could also be connected with (Ar)righini or (Do)righini. The Germanic roots of these names are different from one another, but all belong to the same group of Germanic anthroponyms, and in time the name became a surname.

According to De Stefani, the centre of origin is located in San Vito di Fagagna, in Friuli, from where the surname spread to other communities. It is documented also in the Carnia —a mountainous zone of northern Friuli, in the province of Udine— and in the locality of Invillino (Villa Santina), with records in San Vito di Fagagna from the end of the 16th century.

For his part, F. De Laurentiis proposes a more synthetic reading and considers it derived from Righi.