The authors agree that the surname derives from the Germanic feminine name Verda, coming from the root werd, meaning "worthy", and that this medieval matronymic was very widespread during the Middle Ages.

E. Rossoni also notes a possible link with the Lombard name Vert (also documented as Vertha), with the sense of "the welcome one". Both authors agree on the same documentary testimony: in 1571 a Verda coming from Gandria is recorded as a witness in a deed of Vesime. R. Brondolo specifies that Gandria is on the shores of Lake Lugano, in the canton of Ticino (Switzerland), a detail that Rossoni does not record.

As for the geographical distribution, Rossoni locates the surname mainly in the Imperia area, the Vicenza area and with a probable stem in the Turin area, while Brondolo places it more generally in northern Italy.