The surname Alzamora is of Spanish origin and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is a toponymic surname, meaning it was originally a name given to someone who lived near a place called Alzamora.
The term "Alzamora" itself comes from Arabic roots: "al-zahmar," which translates to "the red one." This likely refers to the color of the soil or a prominent feature in an area, such as a red rock formation.
During the Muslim conquest of Spain (711-1492), many Moorish place names were adopted by the Christian population after the Reconquista. As people moved from their original homes to new settlements, they often took their place names as surnames with them. This is believed to be the case with Alzamora and similar surnames.
It's important to note that the specific origin of a particular Alzamora family may vary depending on their exact geographical location throughout history.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Alzamora
The meaning and origin of the last name Alzamora
The surname Alzamora is of Spanish origin and is derived from a place name. It is believed to have originated from the town or castle of Alzamora, located in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain. The town's name is thought to be derived from Arabic and means "abundant water" or "well-watered", as it refers to the ample rivers that flow through the area. Over time, individuals who lived near or originated from this location adopted the surname Alzamora as a way to identify themselves geographically. The surname has since been carried by immigrants and their descendants to various parts of the world, particularly South America and the United States.
Geographical distribution of the last name Alzamora
The surname Alzamora has a notable presence primarily in Spanish-speaking countries due to its origin from the Iberian Peninsula. In Spain, it is most frequently found in regions such as Extremadura, Castilla y León, and Andalusia. In Portugal, where the spelling may be Azambuja or Alzamora, it is concentrated in the Lisbon area. Outside Europe, significant numbers of individuals with this last name can be found in countries with large Spanish-speaking populations, such as the United States, Mexico, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. In the U.S., Florida, New York, California, and Texas are the states with the highest concentration of people bearing the Alzamora surname.
Variants and spellings of the last name Alzamora
The surname Alzamora has several variations and spellings in English, primarily due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciation. Some of these include: Alzamar, Alzamoora, Alzamura, Alzamorra, and Alzamarra. These variations stem from alterations in the stress or placement of syllables within the name, as well as changes in spelling due to differences in language dialects and regional accents. Another variation, though less common, is the Castilian form "Alzamora de Valderas," which is a place name referring to a municipality in Spain's Palencia province.
Famous people with the last name Alzamora
Notable individuals bearing the surname Alzamora include:
1. Enrique Alzamora Navarro (born 1947), a Mexican economist who served as Minister of Finance and Public Credit from 1982 to 1988. He was also the General Secretary of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1999-2000.
2. Juan Pablo Alzamora (born 1973), a Chilean former professional footballer who played as a defender for teams such as Cobreloa, Colo-Colo, and River Plate. He also represented the Chile national team at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
3. José Alzamora (born 1942), a Cuban politician who served as Prime Minister of Cuba from 1976 to 1993. He was also a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and the Council of State.
4. María Elena Alzamora (born 1959), a Mexican actress, known for her roles in telenovelas such as "Mundo de Fieras", "Amor Real", and "El privilegio de amar". She has won several awards for her performances.
These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields in Mexico, Chile, and Cuba.
Genealogical research on the last name Alzamora
The Alzamora surname is of Spanish origin and is believed to have roots in the medieval period. It is derived from the Arabic "al-Zamora" which means "from Zamora," a city in western Spain. The name gained prominence during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, with many inhabitants adopting their place of origin as part of their surname when they converted to Christianity. Over time, the Alzamora family spread across various regions in Spain and Portugal, leading to several branches and lineages. Notable personalities with this surname include Diego de Alzamora, a 16th-century Spanish explorer, and Manuel María de Alzamora y Carvajal, a Peruvian politician in the 19th century. The family's genealogy remains an active area of research for many historians and genealogists.
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 :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The last name "Alzaatar" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "zaatar" which means "thyme," a popular herb used in Middle Eastern cuisine. The surname Alzaatar l...
The last name Alzab is of Arabic origin. It likely derives from a geographical location, such as a village or town, or from a personal name or occupation. Variants of the name may ...
The surname "Alzabbi" appears to have Arabic origins. It is likely derived from the Arabic word "Al-Zabb," which means "gold" or "pure gold". It is possible that this surname was o...
The last name Alzabii is of Arabic origin. It is a surname typically found in countries with large Arab populations, such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Yemen.
The last name "Alzabt" is of Arabic origin. It is believed to be a variant of the surname "Alzabadi," which is derived from the Arabic word "al-Zubaidi," indicating a connection to...
The last name Alzabu is of Arabic origin. It is believed to have originated in the Middle East region and may have variations in spelling depending on the specific country or regio...
The surname Alzac or Alzaga has Basque origins. In the Basque region spanning parts of Spain and France, it is a toponymic name derived from a place named Altsasu, located in Navar...
The last name "Alzaeen" originates from the Arabic language and is believed to be of Middle Eastern origin. It is commonly found in countries such as Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria.
The last name Alzaga is of Basque origin, a region located in northern Spain and southwestern France. It is derived from the Basque word "altzaga," which means 'below the slope' or...
The last name "Alzagri" is of Italian origin. It is believed to be derived from the Italian word "zagri," meaning "selected" or "chosen." This surname may have originated as a nick...
The surname Alzahab is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the word "zahab" which means gold in Arabic. This surname likely originated as a descriptive or occupational name for so...
The last name Alzahami originates from Arab cultures, specifically from the Arabian Peninsula. It is a surname commonly found in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Kuwait.
The last name "Alzahawy" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic phrase "al-Zahawi" which means "from the city of Zahaw" or "from Zahaw." The name likely originates from...
