The settlement's name derives from a former local monastery (in ) in the
contrada (district) of Campanarazzu (pejorative of Sicilian , ), where monks, likely
Dominicans, wore a white dress. However, both the monastery and the settlement were destroyed by the
1669 Etna eruption. A new borough was therefore built in the former
contrada of Milicia. Until the mid-19th century Misterbianco was a small rural settlement. However, after a large industrial complex was built in the area, its population grew substantially, up to 18,836 in 1971 and 40,785 in 1991. The town continues to grow in size due to people moving here from the increasingly costly quarter of Catania city. == References ==