Meaning and origin
The last name Trejo traces its origin to Spain, specifically the region of León. Derived from the Spanish word "trejo," meaning thorny bush or bramble, the surname originally referred to a person living in or near an area densely populated with this type of vegetation.
The longer story
Its origin can be traced back to the Spanish language, specifically in the region of Castile in Spain. The name belongs to the category of occupational surnames, which were derived from the occupation of a person or their ancestor.
In the case of Trejo, the name is associated with the occupation of a stonemason or builder. The word "trejo" in Spanish refers to a stone block or a piece of stone used in construction. This connection suggests that the initial bearers of the surname were likely involved in the craftsmanship of working with stone.
As with many last names, Trejo has undergone variations in spelling over time. These variations include Trex, Treio, and Treix. Such variations can be attributed to factors like regional dialects, migration, and illiteracy that led to inconsistencies in recording and spelling surnames.
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
#843
Trejo was the 843rd most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 41,021 people, about 14 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Trejo
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Trejo 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.