According to E. De Felice, the surname Zecchi is formed from the aphaeretic hypocoristic Zécco, derived from the name Francesco. This form corresponds —with the passage from č to z, typical of certain areas of the north— to the Tuscan and central type Cécco (from which surnames such as Cecchi come). It is important to note that, although there are similar surnames such as Zecchi, Zecca and Zecchino in the centre-south of Italy, these do not necessarily share the same origin, since they respond to different formative processes.

For his part, F. De Laurentiis agrees with this interpretation and notes that the surname, diffused especially in Emilia-Romagna and in the north-eastern regions (the Venezie), has as its base precisely the aphaeretic hypocoristic Zecco of Francesco, thus confirming its patronymic character within the broad group of surnames derived from this name.