Hi David
Here we go:
Rodriguez (Portuguese Rodrigues, Roriz, Roiz) = "Rodrigo's son". Rodrigo <
Gothic Hro:thareiks "famous king"
Lopez (Portuguese Lopes - my own last name) = "Lopo's son". Lopo is an older
form of Lobo "wolf" < Latin Lupus
Gonzalez (Portuguese Gonc,alves)= "Gonzalo's son". Gonzalo < Latin
Gondisalus < Gothic *gunthisaluz or *gunthasaluz"
Paez = It seems to be a Spanish adaptation of the Portuguese surname Pais or
Paes , "Paio's son". Paio < Pelaio < Latin Pelagius
Franco, French,or the Germanic tribe the Franks . That's right.
Sanchez = Sancho's son. Sancho < *Latin Sanctius
Dominguez = Domingo's son. Domingo (Portuguese Domingos) , Latin Dominicus
"lord, ruler, Lord (God)".
-ez is an usual patronymic suffix in Spanish surnames (= Portuguese -es,
Catalan -is). There are many theories of its origin. It's said to be Gothic
(<genitive -is) , Basque or Latin (< -ici, genitive of -icus). All these
surnames were originally patronymics, but gradually they turn to be
surnames. There are many more:
In Portuguese:
Fernandes < Fernando
Dias < Diogo
Nunes < Nuno
Antunes < Antonio
Henriques < Henrique
Simoes < Sima~o (= English Simon)
Anes, Eanes < Joa~o (=English John)
Joa~o Simo~es Lopes Filho
Rio de Janeiro
----- Original Message -----
From: <dvj1uk@...>
To: <cybalist@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2001 11:18 PM
Subject: [tied] Spanish surnames
> Can anyone give me any insight into the origin of the following
> common Spanish surnames? I've included my sugestions where I have
> one. Sorry about the lack of stress accents.
>
> Rodrigez, from the Germanic/Visigoth personal name Rodrigo
>
> Lopez, related to lobo meaning wolf
>
> Gonzalez, from the personal name Gonzalo, origin unknown to me
>
> Baez/Paez,
>
> Franco, French,or the Germanic tribe the Franks
>
> Sanchez
>
> Dominguez from domingo meaning sunday
>
> Also what is the origin of the suffix ..ez? It doesn't strike me as
> being derived from the Latin genetive.
>
> Thanks for your help.
> David James
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