E. De Felice and E. Rossoni agree that the surname is Sicilian.

De Felice derives it from the regional trade name sarmèri or salmèri ("guide of mules, donkeys and pack horses").

Rossoni identifies it as decidedly Sicilian, concentrated in Milazzo, Messina and Gioiosa Marea, in the Messina area, and also in Palermo and Catania.

Rossoni puts forward several hypotheses of origin: a possible derivation from the Latin name Salmerius; or else, according to another interpretation, from a term equivalent to the French Sommier, with the meaning of "muleteer or mule dealer," but also "donkey," related to the term salma. He also considers it possible that it derives from a nickname applied to one who belonged to a congregation of psalmodists.