NomOrigine Background

Last Name Beraza

What is the origin of the last name Beraza?

The surname Beraza is of Basque origin. The Basque Country is a region located in the northern part of Spain and southern France, where the Basque language (Euskara) is spoken. Many Basque surnames are unique to this region and do not have direct translations into other languages. The origins of the name Beraza are unclear, but it could be derived from various Basque words such as "bero" meaning stone or "berez" meaning birch tree. As with many Basque surnames, the exact meaning may have been lost over time.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Beraza

The meaning and origin of the last name Beraza

The surname Beraza is of Basque origin, native to the province of Biscay in Spain and parts of France. It derives from the Old Basque language, with roots in the word "beraz" which means "straw" or "hay." This name may have been given to someone who lived near a straw-covered building or worked with straw, such as a thatcher. Alternatively, it could have originated from a place name, Beraza being one of several villages in the Basque Country bearing this name. The Basques are an ethnic group and nation, predominantly speaking Basque, located in the Western Pyrenees region, encompassing parts of Spain (mainly Navarre, the Basque Autonomous Community and Aragon) and France (particularly in the Aquitaine region).

Geographical distribution of the last name Beraza

The surname Beraza is predominantly found in the Basque Country, a region spanning parts of Spain and France. Within this region, the highest concentrations are observed in the provinces of Gipuzkoa, Biscay, and Navarra, which constitute the traditional Basque territories in Spain. The name is also present in smaller numbers in neighboring regions such as Aragon, La Rioja, and the rest of Cantabria, Castile-Leon, and Castile-La Mancha in Spain, as well as in parts of France (especially Pyrénées-Atlantiques). Additionally, a significant number of Beraza descendants have emigrated from the Basque Country, particularly to Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Mexico, and the United States. These diaspora communities preserve the name and contribute to its global dispersal.

Variants and spellings of the last name Beraza

The surname Beraza has several variations and spellings. Some of these include Berazas, Berraza, Beraza-Baeza, Berraza-Beato, Berarza, and Berraza. These variations may be due to regional dialects, transcription errors, or personal preference when writing the name in different languages or alphabets. Regardless of the spelling, the root of the surname remains Beraza, which originates from the Basque region of Spain. The name is also found among the diaspora of Basque people living in other parts of the world. Variations such as these can be helpful in tracing genealogy and family history, as they provide insights into migration patterns and cultural assimilation over time.

Famous people with the last name Beraza

The Beraza surname is relatively uncommon and does not have as many globally recognized figures associated with it compared to other more prevalent names. However, there are a few notable individuals who bear this surname: * **Eduardo Beraza**, a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Real Valladolid's B team in the Segunda División B. He is known for his defensive abilities and has represented Spain at various youth levels. * **Juan Luis Beraza**, a Spanish architect who is recognized for his contributions to contemporary architecture, particularly his design of the "Museo de Bellas Artes" in Bilbao, Spain. His work showcases an innovative blend of traditional Basque architecture and modern design principles. * **Luis Miguel Beraza**, a Spanish professional road bicycle racer who competes for the UCI Continental team Caja Rural-Seguros RGA. He has achieved several top-10 finishes in various races, including the Vuelta a España. * **Mireia Beraza**, a Spanish actress and model. She is best known for her roles in television series such as "Cuéntame cómo pasó" and "Amar es para siempre." Her career started with modeling, and she eventually transitioned into acting.

Genealogical research on the last name Beraza

The surname Beraza is primarily found in the Basque Country, a region spanning parts of Spain and France. It originates from the town of Veraztiko, located in the province of Gipuzkoa, Spain. The name is derived from the Old Basque "beratz," meaning "to cure" or "heal." In feudal times, a blacksmith who specialized in mending weapons might have been known as "beratzko etxea" (the house of healers), which over time became Beraza. This surname has been traced back to the 15th century, with prominent families such as the Berazas of Legorreta and Berazas of Zumarraga documented in the Basque Country's records. Variations of this name include Berace, Beraz, Berasse, and Berraca. The distribution of the surname Beraza outside the Basque region is believed to be due to migration patterns during the Industrial Revolution and later periods.

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 : 13 June 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

Berabu (Last name)

surnames > berabu

The last name "Berabu" is of Romanian origin. It is derived from the Romanian word "berbec," which means "ram" or "sheep."

Beraha (Last name)

surnames > beraha

The last name Beraha is of Sephardic Jewish origin, deriving from the Hebrew word "berachah" which means blessing. It is commonly found among Sephardic Jewish communities in the Mi...

Berake (Last name)

surnames > berake

The last name Berake is of Ethiopian origin. It is derived from the Amharic word "berka," meaning "blessing" or "grace." Members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian community often...

Beraldo (Last name)

surnames > beraldo

The surname Beraldo is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name Berardo, which is a variant of the name Bernardo. The name Bernardo is of Germanic origin, derived fr...

Berame (Last name)

surnames > berame

The last name Berame is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the word "birame," which means "difference" or "variation" in the Ilocano language.

Beran (Last name)

surnames > beran

The last name "Beran" is of Czech origin. It is a cognate of the surname "Bern," which means "bear" in Czech and is likely derived from a nickname or personal characteristic associ...

Berana (Last name)

surnames > berana

The surname "Berana" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "berenar," which means "to have a snack" or "to have a meal" in Catalan. This surname may have originated as ...

Berania (Last name)

surnames > berania

The last name Berania does not have a well-documented origin or meaning. It is a quite rare surname and does not appear to have a specific cultural or linguistic background. It is ...

Berardinelli (Last name)

surnames > berardinelli

The last name Berardinelli is of Italian origin. It is derived from the given name Berardo, which ultimately comes from the Germanic name Bernhard, meaning "brave bear". The suffix...

Beraud (Last name)

surnames > beraud

The surname Beraud is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "berau," which means "bear." This surname was often given to individuals who lived near a place where...

Berawan (Last name)

surnames > berawan

The last name "Berawan" originates from the Lakota language, meaning "without horns" or "bald." The name is likely of Native American origin.

Berbania (Last name)

surnames > berbania

The last name "Berbania" is of Italian origin. It likely derived from the place name Berbentia, a town in the Calabria region of southern Italy.

Berbari (Last name)

surnames > berbari

The last name "Berbari" is of Arabic origin. It is a common surname among people of Lebanese or Syrian descent. The meaning of the name is not entirely clear, but it may be derived...

Berbati (Last name)

surnames > berbati

The last name "Berbati" is of Greek origin. It is thought to be a locational surname derived from the village of Verbiti in Greece. The name may also have origins in the Turkish wo...

Berbegal (Last name)

surnames > berbegal

The surname Berbegal has its origins in Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain. It is a toponymic surname, meaning it was originally used by someone who lived near or originated...