[6][7] The widespread use of span-/špan- derived toponyms in specific areas of Montenegro has produced another theory which proposes that it's a name which was adopted by the native Illyrian inhabitants who lived in the karst hill regions of Montenegro and was originally used by the Greeks of the Adriatic emporia to refer to the habitat of the natives as barren ground.

[8] However, according to a more linguistically and historically based analysis, the Spani may derive their name from the Albanian term shpan (< shtëpân) referring to a head shepherd or a cheese-making herdsman.

During the medieval period, the related South Slavic term stopan denoted a rank of ruler or landowner, demonstrating a slight semantic shift.

For example, in the village of Shëngjergj the micro-toponym Gurra Shpanajve (translating to "rocks/stones of the Shpani") refers to an area used as pasture by the local Shtëpani family.

Andrea Span de Scutaro was a wealthy trader from medieval Shkodër (Scutari) who bought land holdings in Drivasto and settled there permanently.

It was located the northern bank of the Drin river, south of the Drisht and north of the lands of the Dukagjini (monti delli Ducagini).

[16] After Alfonso V (r. 1416–1458) signed the Treaty of Gaeta with the Albanian leader Skanderbeg in 1451, he signed similar treaties with other chieftains from Albania: Gjergj Arianiti, Gjin Musachia, George Strez Balšić, Peter Spani, Paul Dukagjini, Thopia Musachi, Peter of Himara, Simon Zenebishi and Carlo II Tocco who were all, like Skanderbeg, recognized as vassals of the Kingdom of Naples.

Marin and his soldiers retreated toward Dagnum after being informed by his relative Peter Span about the large Venetian forces heading toward Baleč.