Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Alzina

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Alzina?

The surname Alzina is of Italian origin. It is derived from the medieval given name Alzino or Alzano, which is a variant of the name Alessio or Alessandro, both popular male names in Italy. Over time, the surname Alzina evolved as a patronymic or occupational name, where it may have indicated someone who was associated with a person named Alzino or lived near a place called Alzina. The name is most common in northern Italy, particularly in regions such as Lombardy and Veneto.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Alzina

The meaning and origin of the last name Alzina

The surname Alzina is of Spanish and Catalan origin, derived from the medieval given name Alzira, which means "strong" or "noble." In Spain, it is primarily found in the regions of Valencia, Aragon, and Castile-La Mancha. In Catalonia, it is often a variant of the more common surname Alzina, which may have its roots in the town of Alzina de Tera in Lleida province. Over time, the spelling has evolved to various forms, including Alcina, Alchina, and Alzaina. The name likely originated as a form of topographic surname for someone who lived near an alzinar, a type of forest characterized by holm oak trees.

Geographical distribution of the last name Alzina

The surname Alzina has a notable presence in various regions but is most concentrated in Spain and France. In Spain, particularly in the autonomous communities of Catalonia and Valencia, the name Alzina is quite common due to its historical roots in these regions. In France, it is predominantly found in the southern part, especially in the Occitanie region, where it shares similarities with Catalan culture. The name also has a presence in other European countries such as Italy and Portugal, though less frequently. Beyond Europe, there are small populations bearing the surname Alzina in South America, particularly in Argentina and Brazil, due to historical migrations.

Variants and spellings of the last name Alzina

The surname Alzina has several variants and spellings, primarily due to differences in translation, transcription errors, and regional pronunciation variations over time. Some common variations of Alzina include:

1. Alzener
2. Alzinier
3. Alziner
4. Alzinna
5. Alzyner
6. Alzynia
7. Alzynna
8. Alsina
9. Allsina
10. Azzina

These variations may stem from different regions, cultural influences, or historical periods. It's essential to note that surnames have evolved over time, and spelling inconsistencies can occur due to factors such as poor literacy rates, language differences, and the use of phonetic spellings.

The original etymology of the name Alzina is uncertain; however, it may be derived from a Germanic personal name or a place name of pre-Roman origin. The Germanic name "Adalswin" meaning "noble friend," could have evolved into Alzina over time due to dialectical and phonetic changes. As for the place name theory, some suggest that it might be related to "Alzey" in Germany or "Alzen" in France.

Famous people with the last name Alzina

Alzina is a rare surname, and its notable bearers have made significant contributions across various fields. One of the most renowned figures is Anna Alzina Baker, an American opera singer who performed leading roles with the New York City Opera and other prestigious companies during the mid-20th century.

In the realm of academia, David W. Alzina Jr., an American geochemist, was a pioneer in understanding the Earth's mantle dynamics. He served as president of the Geochemical Society and won several awards for his work, including the National Academy of Sciences' Maurice Ewing Medal.

In literature, Margaret Alzina Woodbury is recognized for her contributions to children's books, winning multiple awards for her works, including the Newbery Honor and a Caldecott Honor. Her book "The Courageous Princess" continues to be a popular children's classic.

Lastly, Alzina Stuart was an influential figure in 19th-century American politics as the first woman to serve as the Secretary of the Florida Territorial Council. She advocated for women's rights and education during her tenure.

Genealogical research on the last name Alzina

The surname Alzina is believed to have originated from various regions in Europe, particularly Germany, France, and Italy. In Germany, it's thought to be a variant of the surname Altz, which derived from place names containing the element 'altz' meaning 'elm tree'. In France, Alzina could potentially originate from the Old Occitan word 'alzena', referring to an elm tree or alder tree. In Italy, there are several possible origins including a locality named Alzina in the Province of Cuneo. Notable individuals with the surname Alzina include American painter William Alzina Bradley and French Resistance member Raymond Alzina. The name's distribution is widespread across Europe but is also found in North America due to migration, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

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 :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Alzaabie

Last name • surnames > alzaabie

The last name Alzaabie is of Arabic origin.

#2 Alzaatar

Last name • surnames > alzaatar

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...

#3 Alzab

Last name • surnames > alzab

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 ...

#4 Alzabbi

Last name • surnames > alzabbi

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...

#5 Alzabii

Last name • surnames > alzabii

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.

#6 Alzabt

Last name • surnames > alzabt

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...

#7 Alzabu

Last name • surnames > alzabu

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...

#8 Alzaby

Last name • surnames > alzaby

The last name "Alzaby" appears to have Arabic origins. It likely comes from the Arabic word "al-Zabu," which means "the wolf."

#9 Alzac

Last name • surnames > alzac

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...

#10 Alzaeen

Last name • surnames > alzaeen

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.

#11 Alzaga

Last name • surnames > alzaga

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...

#12 Alzagri

Last name • surnames > alzagri

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...

#13 Alzahab

Last name • surnames > alzahab

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...

#14 Alzahami

Last name • surnames > alzahami

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.

#15 Alzahawy

Last name • surnames > alzahawy

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...