This place name of rural origin is derived from Maltinianus, which referred to an “ager” owned by the Maltinia people, as demonstrated by a Roman inscription found at the Piagge.

Maltignano is a hamlet in the municipality of Cascia at an altitude of 714 m. a.s.l. with 145 inhabitants in 1971. Headquarters of an agricultural community (with no land). This was a large relay village in the homonymous valley built along the ancient track that led from the area around Cascia to Civita, and then on towards Cittareale in the Kingdom of Naples.

Evidence of the Romans can be seen not only in the place name, but also in the numerous archaeological finds and loot that has been re-used to construct various buildings. The relative vitality of the centre, linked perhaps to favourable conditions for agricultural practice, has led to the town being continually rebuilt, so that it does not resemble any other village in the entire area.

The settlement consists of two distinct parts: Maltignano which lies on either side of the old road that runs through it, and Pie della Selva, which is smaller and built closer together next to the more southerly path of the same route.