E. Rossoni and N. Bergamo agree on the Greek origin of the surname, although they propose different reference localities.

Rossoni identifies it as typically Calabrian, of Palmi, in the Reggio Calabria area, with a presence also in Gioia Tauro (Reggio Calabria area) and in Lamezia Terme (Catanzaro area). He suggests that it could derive from a form that indicates provenance of Greek origin, relating to the district Safò of Briatico, in the Vibo Valentia area, the probable locality of origin of the founding ancestors of the line.

Bergamo, on the other hand, proposes a derivation from the place name Sappo, linked to Terranova Sappo Minulio.