Last Name Betanzo

Learn more about the origin of the last name Betanzo

The meaning and origin of the last name Betanzo

The surname Betanzo is of Spanish origin, specifically from the region of Asturias, in northern Spain. It derives from the place name "Betanzos," which is located in the province of A Coruña in Galicia, northwest Spain. The name Betanzos was first recorded in the 10th century and comes from the Latin "betania" or "villa betani," meaning "the village of Betanus." Over time, the name evolved into its modern form as people migrated from their original villages to other parts of the country and eventually overseas. The surname Betanzo can also be found in Portuguese-speaking countries due to historical ties between Spain and Portugal, as well as Spanish colonization in Latin America. Today, the Betanzo family name is widespread among descendants of these early migrants.

Geographical distribution of the last name Betanzo

The geographical distribution of the surname Betanzo exhibits notable variations across different regions, primarily within countries with significant Filipino populations. In the Philippines, Betanzo is one of the more common surnames, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, where it is associated with various ethnic groups such as the Visayans, Bukidnon, and Maguindanao. Outside the Philippines, there are also significant numbers of individuals with the last name Betanzo residing in other countries with Filipino expatriate communities, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Spain. Notably, the highest concentrations outside the Philippines can be found in California, USA, due to a large number of immigrants from the Visayas region.

Variants and spellings of the last name Betanzo

The surname Betanzo has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in spelling conventions and phonetic translations over time. Some of these variations include:

* Betancourt (Spanish)
* Betancort (Spanish)
* Betancoz (Basque)
* Betanzos (Galician)
* Betancozo (Aragonese)
* Bettanzo (Italian)
* Bettencourt (French)
* Bettanzol (Sicilian)

These variations are derived from the original Basque surname "Betantz" or "Betanz" which means "house of Jan" in the Basque language. The spelling Betanzo is a more modern form and is commonly used in English-speaking countries, although its exact origins remain unclear due to historical record variations.

Famous people with the last name Betanzo

Notable individuals with the surname Betancourt include:

1. Ana Betancourt (born 1942), American actress and model who won the Miss Universe 1963 pageant.
2. Carlos Pascual Betancourt (1870-1938), Costa Rican poet, journalist, playwright, and politician, considered a national literary figure in Costa Rica.
3. Daniel Betancourt (born 1981), American soccer player who played as a defender for various Major League Soccer teams.
4. Jorge Luis Betancourt (born 1976), Colombian-American actor and model, known for his roles in telenovelas and films such as "Ugly Betty" and "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift."
5. Maritza Betancourt (born 1948), Cuban-American actress and singer who achieved success in the 1960s with hits like "I Can't Give You Anything But Love."
6. Pedro Betancourt (born 1936), Puerto Rican politician who served as the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico to the United States Congress from 2005 to 2009.
7. Victor Manuel Betancourt (born 1946), Cuban-American businessman and founder of Grupo Vidanta, one of Mexico's largest real estate and tourism development companies.

Genealogical research on the last name Betanzo

The surname Betanzo originates from the Basque region, specifically in the Spanish provinces of Álava and Vizcaya. It is derived from the place-name Betanzos, located in Galicia, Spain. This name likely comes from the Latin "betaniacum" or "villa betaniaci", which refers to a villa belonging to a man named Betanius.

The surname Betanzo was initially brought to the Americas by Basque immigrants who settled in Mexico and other Spanish colonies, including the Philippines. In the 16th century, Basques established trading posts in Manila, bringing their unique customs and surnames with them. The name Betanzo is particularly common among Filipinos of Basque descent.

Throughout history, notable individuals bearing the surname Betanzo have made significant contributions to various fields, such as politics, arts, and sciences. Notably, Josefa Llanes-Betanzo was a prominent Filipina lawyer, jurist, and educator who served as the 13th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Betanzo"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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 : 24 July 2025