Last Name Carranza

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.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Carranza"
• 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 : 27 July 2025