The surname Carranza is of Spanish origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically from a town named Carranza located in the province of La Rioja, Spain. The name of the town is believed to be derived from the Roman family name Carruntienses, which was Latinized as Carruntienses, and eventually evolved into Carranza in Spanish. It is also possible that the surname Carranza may have originated from other places with similar names in different parts of Spain. Over time, the surname Carranza spread throughout various regions of Spain and later to several countries in Latin America as a result of colonization and migration.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Carranza
The meaning and origin of the last name Carranza
The surname Carranza is of Spanish origin and is derived from the Old Castilian word "carranza," which means "carriage" or "wagon." This name was often given to individuals who were associated with transportation, such as innkeepers or carters. It's also possible that it could have been a nickname for someone who had a distinctive walk, similar to how a wagon might move. The surname Carranza is common in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries, particularly Mexico, where it has been borne by notable figures such as Venustiano Carranza, a president of Mexico during the Mexican Revolution.
Geographical distribution of the last name Carranza
The surname Carranza is predominantly distributed across Mexico and Spain, with significant numbers also found in other Spanish-speaking countries such as Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Equatorial Guinea. In Mexico, it is particularly common in the states of Coahuila, Sonora, Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Veracruz due to historical settlement patterns from the region's early colonization. The name also has a notable presence in the Philippines, where it originated from Spanish colonizers but has been adapted as a Filipino surname over time. Additionally, smaller populations bearing the Carranza surname can be found in various countries with significant Spanish-speaking immigrant communities, such as the United States and Argentina.
Variants and spellings of the last name Carranza
The surname Carranza has several variations and spellings due to regional pronunciation differences and historical transliterations. Here are some of them:
1. Carranza - This is the most common spelling, derived from the original Castilian form.
2. de Caranza - It includes "de" which signifies nobility in Spanish-speaking countries.
3. Carranzas - The plural form, often used when referring to multiple family members with this surname.
4. Karranza - An anglicized version of the name, where the double 'r' is replaced with a single one and the final 'z' is changed to 'z'.
5. Karanza, Carranzas, Karanzas - Phonetic variations that may arise due to regional accents or misspellings.
6. Caranza - A possible typographical error or a less common variation of the name.
7. De la Caranza - Another variant including "de la" which means "of the" in Spanish, often used by those who originated from towns or regions with that name.
8. Del Caranza - A similar variant as above, using "del" instead of "de la."
9. Karanja (Kenya) - Unrelated to the Spanish surname Carranza, but shares a similar spelling and pronunciation, originating from the Luhya language in Kenya.
Famous people with the last name Carranza
Notable individuals with the surname Carranza include:
1. Venustiano Carranza (1860-1920), a Mexican politician and revolutionary leader, who served as the President of Mexico from 1917 to his assassination in 1920. He played a key role in the Mexican Revolution and was one of the main authors of the 1917 Constitution.
2. Alvaro Obregón (1880-1928), another prominent figure during the Mexican Revolution, served as President from 1920 to 1924. He succeeded Venustiano Carranza and was assassinated shortly after leaving office.
3. Emiliano Zapata (1879-1919), a significant military leader in the Mexican Revolution, is often referred to as one of the three greatest leaders of the revolution, along with Pancho Villa and Venustiano Carranza.
4. Ricardo J. Carranza, an American educator who has served as the Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education since 2018. Prior to this role, he served as Superintendent of the Tucson Unified School District in Arizona.
These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields such as politics, education, and revolution.
Genealogical research on the last name Carranza
The surname Carranza originates from Spain and is most commonly associated with the region of Castile. It is derived from the Germanic personal name "Karolus," which was Latinized as Carolus and Spanish-ified to Carlos, eventually evolving into Carranzas. Notable figures bearing this name include the Mexican political leader Venustiano Carranza, who served as President of Mexico from 1917 to 1920, and Ignacio Zaragoza Carranza, a hero of the Mexican War of Independence. The name is also popular in countries with large Spanish-speaking populations such as Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and the United States. In genealogical records, variations of the surname may include Carrancio, Carranta, Caranza, and Carreño, among others, reflecting regional and transcription differences over time.
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 surname "Cara" has Italian and Spanish origins. In Italian, it translates to 'dear' or 'beloved', derived from the word 'caro'. In Spanish, it also means 'face'. These names ha...
The last name Cara Holgado is of Spanish origin. It is a combination of the words "cara," meaning face or expression, and "holgado," meaning loose or ample.
The surname Carabal is of Spanish origin, specifically from the regions of Galicia and Castile. It is a toponymic surname, derived from a place named Carballo or similar variations...
The surname Carabali is primarily found among Spanish and Portuguese populations, particularly in Spain's Asturias region and Portugal. It is thought to have an occupational or geo...
The last name "Caraballo" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Spanish word "caraballo," meaning "knight" or "warrior." It is believed to have originated as a nickname or a...
The last name Carabeau is of French origin. It is a variant of the surname "Caraboeuf," which is derived from the Latin word "carabo" meaning "stupid" or "idiot," and the Old Frenc...
The last name "Carabelli" has Italian origins. It is derived from the words "cara" meaning beloved and "bello" meaning beautiful or handsome in Italian. The name is believed to hav...
The surname Carabias is of Spanish origin and has possible roots that can be traced back to several different regions in Spain. However, the exact origin of this surname is not def...
The last name Carabin is of French origin. It is derived from the word "carabinier," which refers to a horseman or soldier armed with a carbine. The name was likely originally give...
The surname Caracci has Italian origins. It is derived from the personal name Caraffa, which was used primarily in Southern Italy during the Middle Ages. The name is believed to ha...
The surname "Caracciolo" is of Italian origin. It is a noble surname with roots in the Campania region of Italy. The Caracciolo family was a prominent noble family in Italian histo...
The surname Caracena has its origins in Spain. It is a toponymic surname, meaning it was often given to people who lived near a specific place or geographical feature. In this case...
The surname "Caracinha" appears to be of Portuguese origin. It is a diminutive form of the name "Caracas", which may have been derived from various places in Portugal or Brazil. In...
