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Last Name Cebolla

What is the origin of the last name Cebolla?

The surname Cebolla is of Spanish origin. In Spanish, "cebolla" means "onion." It's possible that this surname was originally a nickname for someone who was either named after an onion-shaped object or had a physical characteristic resembling an onion. However, the exact origin may vary depending on specific family history and regional traditions.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cebolla

The meaning and origin of the last name Cebolla

The surname Cebolla is of Spanish origin, derived from the word 'cebolla' which means 'onion' in English. It is believed that it was first used as an occupational name for a vegetable vendor or farmer who specialized in growing onions. Alternatively, it could have been used as a nickname for someone with a round or swollen face, reminiscent of an onion. The surname Cebolla has multiple variants including Cebollo, Cejuela, and Ceballos, which can be found throughout the Spanish-speaking world due to historical migration patterns. Over time, it has been adapted to other languages in various parts of the world, such as Cebulo or Kebulow in Polish, Kebel in Dutch, or Cebolla in Italian.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cebolla

The surname Cebolla, derived from the Spanish word for onion, is predominantly distributed in Spanish-speaking countries due to its origins. It is most frequently found in Spain and Latin America, particularly in Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru. In Spain, it is common throughout the country but has higher concentrations in regions like Castile-La Mancha, Extremadura, and Andalusia, where the name may have originated from medieval settlements or early occupations related to onion farming. In Latin America, Cebolla is also widely distributed, reflecting migration patterns from Spain during the colonial period. Additionally, some individuals with the surname Cebolla can be found in the United States, particularly in areas with large Spanish-speaking populations.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cebolla

The surname Cebolla has several variations and spellings due to differences in pronunciation and translation over time. Some common variants include:

* Cebolla (Spanish, meaning 'onion')
* Zeballos, Ceballos (Spanish)
* Zeballo, Ceballo (Italian)
* Cebulka, Cebula (Polish)
* Tsiboulsky, Tsybulevsky (Russian)
* Sibolske (Ukrainian)
* Sebollosi (Hungarian)

These variations may also be found with different capitalization and punctuation, as well as with diacritical marks in some languages. Additionally, the name may have been anglicized or spelled phonetically in records from other countries, leading to further variations such as:

* Cebula (English)
* Zebell, Zabell, Sibol, Sebol (Yiddish)
* Tsibouleski, Tsybulsky (Belarusian)
* Cebulko (Slovak)

It is important to note that spelling variations may also be found within the same family due to factors such as regional dialects and personal preference.

Famous people with the last name Cebolla

Among the notable individuals with the surname Cebolla are:

1. Enrique Ceballos (born 1964), a retired professional tennis player from Mexico, who achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 8 and was a semifinalist at the French Open in 1987.
2. José Ceballos (1936–2018), a Venezuelan architect and designer known for his contributions to contemporary Latin American architecture.
3. Fernando Ceballos (born 1973), a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder, winning multiple La Liga titles, the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA World Cup with Real Madrid and Spain respectively.
4. David Ceballos (born 1995), a Mexican professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for the Mexican national team and Arsenal F.C. in the English Premier League.
5. Carlos Ceballos (1932–2008), a Cuban-American photographer known for his portraits of influential figures such as Malcolm X, Cesar Chavez, and Muhammad Ali.

Genealogical research on the last name Cebolla

The surname Cebolla, of Spanish origin, is associated with several meanings, including 'onion' and 'sword', due to its root word 'cebollo'. The surname can be found across Spain, particularly in Castile, where it has been traced back to the 13th century. Notable individuals bearing this name include Juan de Ceballos, a prominent Spanish conquistador who explored South America, and Francisco Ceballos, a well-known 16th-century sculptor from Toledo, Spain. The surname's dispersal can also be traced to Latin America, due to the colonization efforts of Spain in the New World. In the United States, the name has been recorded in various states, with California and Texas having a significant number of Cebolla descendants.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 28 July 2025

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