The surname Cartacho has origins that can be traced back to Spain. It is derived from a place-name, specifically from the town named Cartagena, located on the Mediterranean coast in the region of Murcia, in southeastern Spain. Over time, people who were originally from this area began using the name as a surname as they moved and settled elsewhere. The name may also be found in Portugal and other Spanish-speaking countries due to historical migrations. However, it is essential to note that surnames can have multiple origins or variations, so it's always possible there could be alternative explanations for the origin of Cartacho as well.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Cartacho
The meaning and origin of the last name Cartacho
The surname Cartacho is of Spanish origin, specifically from the region of Andalusia, southern Spain. It derives from the occupation-based name "Carrojo," which was originally a nickname for someone with red or ginger hair, as "carrojo" in Spanish means redhead or chestnut-haired. Over time, the surname evolved into Cartacho due to various spelling and phonetic adaptations. The use of occupational and nicknames as surnames was common during the Middle Ages when people lacked personal identification documents, and they relied on such names to distinguish themselves from others in their community. This tradition continues in Spain, where many families still bear occupational or descriptive surnames.
Geographical distribution of the last name Cartacho
The surname Cartacho is predominantly found in Spain and Portugal, with a significant concentration in both countries' regions along the western coast. In particular, it is most common in Galicia (northwestern Spain) and Portugal's Minho region, which share cultural and linguistic ties due to their geographical proximity. This shared history might account for the surname's presence in both nations. The Cartacho name has also migrated with Portuguese populations to Brazil, especially the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo. Furthermore, small communities bearing this surname can be found in various parts of the world, including Argentina, United States, and Canada, largely due to past immigration waves from Portugal and Spain.
Variants and spellings of the last name Cartacho
The surname Cartacho has several variations and spellings in English and other languages. Some common variations include Carthago, Carthacho, Cartecho, Cartechu, Cartechy, Cartaxo, Cartajos, Cartach, Cartacio, and Cortacho. These variations may arise due to differences in spelling conventions, regional dialects, or phonetic transcriptions over time. In some cases, the surname may also be spelled with diacritical marks such as Carthaco (with an acute accent on the 'a'), Cartachó (with a grave accent on the 'o'), or Cartechö (with an umlaut on the 'e'). These variations reflect the diverse cultural and linguistic heritage of individuals bearing this surname.
Famous people with the last name Cartacho
Notable individuals with the surname Cartacho include:
1. Jorge Luis "Popi" Cartacho (born 1963), a Cuban-American professional boxer who held the WBA super featherweight title from 1987 to 1989.
2. Julio César Cartacho (1954–1980), a Peruvian footballer who played as a midfielder for clubs such as Universitario de Deportes and Sporting Cristal, as well as the Peru national team. He won two Copa América tournaments in 1970 and 1975.
3. Ramón Cartacho (born 1946), a Spanish former footballer who played as a defender for clubs like Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Real Zaragoza during his career from 1965 to 1980. He won numerous titles with Real Madrid, including five La Liga championships and three UEFA Champions League trophies.
4. Rafael Cartacho (born 2003), an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Middlesbrough and the England U19 national team. He joined Middlesbrough's academy in 2016 and made his professional debut in 2019.
5. Rodrigo Cartacho (born 1993), a Spanish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Getafe CF B, the reserve team of La Liga side Getafe CF. He began his career with Real Madrid's youth academy before playing professionally for various clubs in Spain and Mexico.
Genealogical research on the last name Cartacho
The surname Cartacho originates from Spain and is primarily found in regions such as Galicia, Asturias, and Cantabria. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname is found in medieval records dating back to the late Middle Ages. Throughout history, Cartachos have been associated with various professions including agriculture, commerce, and the military. Notable bearers of the name include Juan de Cartagena y Lopez, a 16th-century Spanish architect and engineer, and Juan Carlos Cartagena Ossa, a Colombian politician who served as a member of the Senate from 2006 to 2014. The global distribution of the surname reflects the historical migration patterns of Spanish speakers, with significant populations found in Latin America, particularly Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina.
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.
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