E. Rossoni describes this surname as typically Calabrian, concentrated mainly in the Catanzaro area —in localities such as Chiaravalle Centrale, Catanzaro, Borgia, Vallefiorita, Soverato, Amaroni, Girifalco, San Vito sullo Ionio, Palermiti and Sellia Marina— and also in the Crotone area, with a presence in Crotone, Cutro, Rocca di Neto, Cirò Marina and Isola di Capo Rizzuto. According to Rossoni, the surname would derive from a nickname of Spanish origin.

P. Durante, on the other hand, proposes a Greek origin for this surname and refers to the analysis of the surname Destito, with which he relates it directly.