 The name Saracinesco appears in an inscription dated to 1052 under the name "Rocca Sarraceniscum".Many local names derive from Arabic (such as Almanzor, which in the 19th century was described as "not uncommon" in the village) and there are also many typical Arab features in the buildings.Some other common Arab names heard among villagers, and noted by Antonio Nibby, include Mastorre, Argante, Morgante, Marocco, Merant, Manasse and Margutte.