 Caviano is first mentioned in 1258 as "Caviliano".In 1264 and again in 1365, the Bishop of Como transferred part of the tithes of the Gambarogno valley, including Caviano and Scaiano, to the Magoria and Duno families from Locarno.Caviano originally belonged to the parish of Locarno, then in 1558 to Sant'Abbondio.