Italian surname "Marotta" origin theories?

Question:

Italian surname "Marotta" origin theories?

I was hoping someone could help me with this, either confirm or deny my research on my Italian last name, "Marotta." I know the "-otta" derives from the Latin "octavia" meaning eighth, which I assumed was created from the gens Octavia (not to say of the same bloodline, of course, but I can dream can't I :P).

As for the "Mar," does it derive from the Italian "Moro" (Latin "Maur"), meaning from North Africa? This would make sense to me, because I am of North Western Sicilian heritage (Palermo/Panormus to be exact), and this region in ancient days was settled by the Carthaginians...from North Africa.

If have ANY insight please let me know! Or if you can guide me somewhere that can give me more info.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Here is a link to show you the concentration of the name MAROTTA all over Italy http://www.gens.labo.net/it/cognomi/gene...
and in the States
http://www.gens-us.net/map/genera.html?c...
and the dissuion in the Sicily's municipalities
http://sicilia.indettaglio.it/eng/cognom...
Another italian website http://www.cognomiitaliani.org/cognomi/c...
says that this name is very common either in Campania (Naples area) and in Sicily. They say that the most probable origin of this name is a small village close to Capua (still in Naples area) that has this name.I didn't find trace of the Roman origin as you have posted in the comments to yr question.