Meaning and origin
The last name Delatorre originates from the Romance languages, particularly Spanish and Portuguese. This surname's prevalence in Hispanic countries can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where castles and towers were prevalent and often served as a source of identity and status in the community.
The longer story
The last name Delatorre is of Spanish origin. It is a patronymic surname, indicating that it was derived from the name of an ancestor or the name of a father. The name Delatorre is formed by combining the Spanish words "de" meaning "of" or "from" and "la torre" meaning "the tower". Therefore, the literal meaning of Delatorre is "from the tower" or "of the tower".
Historically, surnames were often derived from a person's occupation, location, or a defining characteristic. In the case of Delatorre, it is likely that the name was initially used to refer to someone who lived near or worked at a tower. Towers were significant structures in medieval times, serving various purposes such as defense, observation, and as a symbol of power.
It is a relatively common surname, indicating that there may be a significant number of people with the name Delatorre and its variations.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
Similar spellings
#1,288
Delatorre was the 1,288th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 27,265 people, about 8.8 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Delatorre
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Delatorre is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.