According to E. Rossoni, the surname presents a main nucleus in the north-east of Italy, especially in the Vicenza and Treviso areas, although nuclei are also recorded in areas such as Pescara, Naples, Avellino and possibly in Apulia. Its origin is clearly toponymic, since it derives from the numerous places called Villanova, very widespread throughout Italy, such as Villanova di Camposampiero (Padua), Villanova Marchesana (Rovigo), Villanova del Battista (Avellino) or Villanova (Pescara). These place names identified new settlements or recently formed rural nuclei.

For his part, F. De Laurentiis agrees with this interpretation and notes that the surname is formed from the place name Villanova, widely extended throughout the Italian territory, which reinforces its character as a surname of geographical origin linked to the family's place of provenance.