Zaragoza
What is the origin of the last name Zaragoza?
Meaning and origin
The last name Zaragoza is of Spanish origin, derived from the city of Zaragoza in the Aragon region of Spain. The name Zaragoza is believed to have originated from the Arabic word "Saraqusta" during the Moorish occupation of Spain. Over time, the name evolved and was influenced by the Spanish language, resulting in the current form Zaragoza.
The longer story
The last name Zaragoza is of Spanish origin and is primarily found in the Philippines and Mexico. It is derived from the name of the city of Zaragoza in Aragon, Spain. The city itself dates back to Roman times and has a rich and complex history.
The name Zaragoza is considered a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. In this case, it refers to the city of Zaragoza. Toponymic surnames were often given to individuals who originated from a particular place or who had strong associations with that place. It is likely that the surname was initially used to identify individuals who hailed from or had a connection to Zaragoza.
Like many surnames, the spelling and pronunciation of Zaragoza may have varied over time and across different regions. It is worth noting that Spanish surnames have historically undergone shifts in their orthography due to various factors such as phonetic changes and regional influences. Variations of the name could include Zarragoza or Sarragossa.
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.
#1,897
Zaragoza was the 1,897th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 18,908 people, about 6.1 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Zaragoza
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Zaragoza 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.