Last Name Carro

The surname Carro has multiple origins depending on the region and country. Here are some possible origins: 1. Spanish and Portuguese: Derived from the word "carro," meaning "cart" or "wagon." This surname was often given to someone who owned a cart, was a wagon-maker, or had some association with transportation. 2. Italian: Originates from the word "carro," meaning "wheelbarrow." It may have been given as an occupational name for someone who used a wheelbarrow in their work or traded in them. 3. Jewish (Ashkenazic): A short form of various Jewish names containing the element "Kar," which is of Hebrew origin and means "vineyard." Examples include Karplus, Karrer, and Karrenbrock. 4. English: It may also have origins as a nickname for someone who was strong or robust, as in Middle English, "carre" meant "strongbox," which could metaphorically refer to a strong person. 5. Irish: In Ireland, the name Carroll is an anglicized form of Ó Carbhaláin, which means descendant of Carbhalán, a personal name composed of the elements carr (rock) and ball (stone). The name is most prominent in County Tipperary.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Carro

The meaning and origin of the last name Carro

The surname Carro, derived from the Latin word "carus" meaning 'dear' or 'precious', was originally a nickname for someone who was cherished or valued among their peers. Over time, it evolved to denote physical characteristics, particularly associated with carrots due to their visual resemblance. The transformation of surnames into occupational or topographical names is common in history, and Carro could have also been used as an occupation name for a dealer or seller of carrots.

The surname Carro originated in various regions across Europe, with significant populations in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France. In Spain, it is particularly common in the Valencia region, where it's believed to have been brought by Moorish invaders during the Middle Ages. The name has since spread globally due to migrations and assimilation throughout history.

Geographical distribution of the last name Carro

The surname Carro has a significant presence across various regions globally, with Spain being its historical heartland. In Spain, it is particularly prevalent in the autonomous communities of Valencia, Catalonia, and Aragon, reflecting the region's rich cultural history. It is also common in Galicia, but less so than in the eastern regions. Outside Spain, the name Carro can be found in Portuguese-speaking countries like Portugal and Brazil, due to historical links between the two nations. Additionally, immigrants from Spain and Portugal have contributed to its distribution in other parts of the world, such as Latin America, the United States, and Canada. In some cases, it may also appear in other European countries as a result of migration or assimilation.

Variants and spellings of the last name Carro

The surname Carro has multiple variants and spellings across different regions and languages. In English, it is commonly spelled as Carro. However, in other languages, there are several variations. For instance, in Italian, the name can be written as Carrer, Carrara, or de Carro. In Spanish, it may also be spelled as Carrera, Carro, Cárdenas (derived from Caro), or Corral. In Portuguese, it could be Carreiro, Carrasco, or Carvalho (a more common surname in Portugal). Additionally, the name can also be found with slight variations due to linguistic and phonetic differences in various countries. For example, in Dutch, it might be spelled as Kerkhoff, which is a derived form of Carro. In French, it could be Carru or Carrot. These variants are not exhaustive, but they provide an idea of the diversity in the spelling and origin of the surname Carro.

Famous people with the last name Carro

Notable individuals with the surname Carro include:

1. José Carro y García (1826-1893), a Spanish lawyer and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Spain from 1874 to 1875.

2. Juan Carro (1895-1980), a Spanish general who played a key role in the Nationalist victory during the Spanish Civil War. He was also involved in the Francoist repression following the war.

3. José Carro (born 1946), a Spanish musician and composer, best known as the keyboardist for the Spanish rock band Mecano.

4. Miguel Carro (born 1986), a Mexican professional footballer who plays as a defender for Club Tijuana in the Liga MX.

5. Francisco José Carro Martínez (1937-2018), a Spanish Roman Catholic prelate who served as the Archbishop of Valencia from 2000 until his retirement in 2014.

Genealogical research on the last name Carro

The surname Carro, of Spanish origin, is derived from the Occitan word "car," meaning "charcoal" or "coal." It was originally a nickname for someone who worked with charcoal or had dark complexion resembling burnt coal. The Carro family has a significant presence in Spain, particularly in regions such as Catalonia and Valencia. Notable individuals bearing the name include Josep Carro i Artau, a prominent figure in the Catalan Modernism movement, and Carlos Carro Villalba, a Spanish politician. In Italy, Carro is less common but has been recorded since the late Middle Ages, with the most significant settlements in Tuscany and Lombardy. The Italian variant "Carri" was introduced during the Roman Empire, derived from the Latin word "carrus," meaning "cart" or "chariot."

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Carro"
• 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

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