NomOrigine Background

Last Name Alfageme

What is the origin of the last name Alfageme?

The surname Alfageme is of Basque origin. It's derived from a place-name, specifically a village named "Alfaga" in the province of Álava, Spain. Surnames with such origins began to be widely adopted in Europe during the Middle Ages as a means of identification due to population growth and increased urbanization. In this case, the surname Alfageme is a variation of the original place-name, often resulting from spelling variations or changes over time.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Alfageme

The meaning and origin of the last name Alfageme

The surname Alfageme is of Basque origin, specifically from the region of Navarre in northern Spain. It is derived from the toponymic surname, which means that it was originally a name given to people who lived in a specific place. In this case, the name Alfageme is believed to be associated with a location named Alfageme or a similar variation, which is not found as a modern-day place name in Navarre but may have existed historically. The name's roots can be traced back to medieval times when the Basque region was under the Kingdom of Navarre and the practice of using geographical names for surnames became common. Over time, various spelling variations of Alfageme have arisen due to differences in transcription and translation, including Alfaime, Alvaime, Alvegaime, etc.

Geographical distribution of the last name Alfageme

The surname Alfageme has its roots in Spain and is predominantly found among the Galician population. According to data from various sources, it is most commonly found in the provinces of A Coruña, Lugo, and Pontevedra, which are located in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain. The name Alfageme is considered a topographic surname, suggesting that it originated from a place named "Alfaga," which means a stony or rocky area in Galician. However, its exact origin and historical significance remain to be researched further. Beyond Spain, the Alfageme surname can also be found in other Spanish-speaking countries due to migration, particularly in Latin America.

Variants and spellings of the last name Alfageme

The surname Alfageme has several variations and spellings. Some common variations include Alfaime, Alfaimey, Alfaigem, Alfaigmey, Alvagame, Alvagamy, Alvafame, Alvafamy, and Alphagame. These variations may have arisen due to differences in pronunciation, spelling conventions, or errors in transcription over time. Additionally, some individuals may intentionally alter the spelling of their surnames for personal reasons or cultural assimilation. Despite these variations, the root origin of the name remains unclear, with possible origins in Spain, Portugal, or Italy.

Famous people with the last name Alfageme

The Alfageme family is not particularly well-known for having many famous members globally. However, there are a few individuals bearing this surname who have made significant contributions in their respective fields.

José Manuel Alfageme, a Spanish classical guitarist, is one such individual. Known for his interpretations of Baroque music and Spanish composers like Isaac Albeniz and Enrique Granados, he has performed extensively worldwide and released numerous albums.

In the field of science, Antonio Alfageme, a researcher at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), has made contributions to bioinformatics and genomic studies. He is recognized for his work on gene expression and functional genomics.

While not as widely known globally, these individuals demonstrate the diverse talents and achievements within the Alfageme family.

Genealogical research on the last name Alfageme

The surname Alfageme originates from the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in Spain and Portugal. One theory suggests it's a variant of the Basque name Alfaime or Alfaimea, which may have migrated to Galicia during the Middle Ages due to Basque influence in that region. Another hypothesis links it to the Arabic term "al-fahim," meaning "the wise one." The Alfageme family is documented in Galicia since the late 15th century. Notable individuals with this surname include Joaquín Alfageme y Rodríguez, a Spanish military officer who fought in the Carlist Wars, and Manuel Alfageme y Sánchez, a notable jurist and politician of the early 20th century. The surname also has representations in Portugal, mainly in the northern region, suggesting potential ties between Galician and Portuguese families with this lineage.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Alf (Last name)

surnames > alf

The last name "Alf" is of German origin. It is derived from the Germanic personal name "Alfred," which combines the elements "alf" meaning "elf" or "supernatural being" and "ræd" ...

Alfa (Last name)

surnames > alfa

The surname Alfa does not have a clear or definitive origin that can be traced to one specific geographical region or ethnicity, as it is a relatively modern surname and has been a...

Alfaake (Last name)

surnames > alfaake

The last name "Alfaake" is of Arabic origin. It is likely a variant of the surname "Al Faqih," which means "jurist" or "religious scholar" in Arabic.

Alfaatn (Last name)

surnames > alfaatn

The last name Alfaatn originated from Norway.

Alfadhia (Last name)

surnames > alfadhia

The last name "Alfadhia" is of Arabic origin. It is typically found in the Middle East, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. It may be derived from a pla...

Alfadi (Last name)

surnames > alfadi

The last name "Alfadi" has Arabic origins. It is believed to be derived from the Arabic word "al-fādī," which means "the redeeming." This surname is likely to have originated in ...

Alfadl (Last name)

surnames > alfadl

The last name "alfadl" originates from Arabic, specifically from the Arabic word "al-fadl" which means virtue or grace. It is commonly used as a surname in Arabic-speaking countrie...

Alfadli (Last name)

surnames > alfadli

The last name "Alfadli" is of Arabic origin. It is a common surname in Arabic-speaking countries, particularly in the Middle East. The name is believed to be derived from the Arabi...

Alfahad (Last name)

surnames > alfahad

The last name Alfahad appears to have Arabic origins. The prefix "Al-" in Arabic typically means "the" or "family of", so Alfahad could possibly mean "the family of Fahad" or have ...

Alfaham (Last name)

surnames > alfaham

The surname "Alfaham" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "الفحم" which means "charcoal" or "ember." Surnames often reflect an ancestor's occupation, place...

Alfahel (Last name)

surnames > alfahel

The last name "Alfahel" has an Arabic origin. It is derived from the word "al-fahel", which means "the happy" or "the joyful" in Arabic. This last name may have been used to descri...

Alfahoum (Last name)

surnames > alfahoum

The last name Alfahoum likely has Arabic origins. It may be derived from the word "al-fahoum," which means "the wise" or "the knowledgeable" in Arabic.

Alfaid (Last name)

surnames > alfaid

The last name "alfaid" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "al-fa'ed," which means "the restorer" or "the renewer."

Alfailakawy (Last name)

surnames > alfailakawy

The last name "alfailakawy" likely originates from an Arabic word meaning "from the Falakawi tribe" or referring to a specific place named Falakawi. It is common for Arabic last na...

Alfaj mia (Last name)

surnames > alfaj-mia

The surname "alfaj mia" is of Arabic origin. It is commonly found in Arabic-speaking countries and may have originated from a word in the Arabic language.