F. De Laurentiis notes that this surname is diffused throughout Italy, with a greater frequency in the south and in the north-east of Italy, in the regions of Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige. It was formed from the name Valente, which continues the Latin surname or auspicious sign Valens, Valentis —present participle of the verb valere, "to be in good health; to be strong, valid"—, already common in the imperial era, especially in military circles, among the veterans of the provinces.

R. Brondolo agrees on the Latin origin, specifying that valens was an auspicious name meaning "healthy, robust", attributed to the newborn. Brondolo places this surname mainly in northern Italy.