The origin of the name comes from the Byzantine word "fulacterion" which means "guard tower" -something the Byzantines used to build in strategic places to ward off the enemies. The original settling, founded in Roman times, was called Soranus and was located in the plain, as confirmed by recent excavations. In later times (Middle Ages) the population moved on the top of the hill for safety reasons, founding the village we now see.

In 1221 Filattiera was the administrative center of a feud under the rule of the Malaspina family; it became the main stronghold of the Spino Fiorito, an important branch of the Malaspina family. As time passed by the Spino Fiorito weakened, and its possessions were divided into many small portions among the descendants, while the whole area became economically depressed. In recent times as well, Filattera has seen a large outflow of emigrants.