Last Name Cerpa

The surname "Cerpa" has its roots in several countries, primarily Spain and Portugal. In both Spanish and Portuguese, "cerpa" can refer to a small creek or stream, derived from the Latin word "carpus," meaning "watercourse." In Spain, it is predominantly found in the regions of Galicia, Asturias, and Cantabria. In Portugal, it is common in the north-central part of the country. The use of patronymic (surnames derived from a father's given name) and topographic (surnames related to geographical features like rivers or hills) surnames was widespread in Spain and Portugal during the Middle Ages, and this is believed to be how the surname "Cerpa" originated. In addition, it may also have origins from other Romance languages such as French or Italian, where "cerisier" (cherry tree) or "cerchio" (circle), respectively, sound phonetically similar to "Cerpa." The exact origin can vary from case to case, depending on the region and family history.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cerpa

The meaning and origin of the last name Cerpa

The surname Cerpa is of Spanish origin, derived from the Occitan word "cerpa" meaning "goat." This surname was often given to someone who lived near a place where goats were kept or to someone who resembled a goat in appearance. In some cases, it may have been a nickname for someone who was stubborn, strong, or agile, like a goat. The name spread throughout Spain and its colonies as a result of the country's history of population expansion and settlement. Today, people with the surname Cerpa can be found primarily in Spain, South America, Mexico, and the United States. It is also sometimes spelled as "Cerope," "Zerpa," or "Serpa."

Geographical distribution of the last name Cerpa

The surname Cerpa is predominantly distributed across Spain and Portugal, with significant concentrations in their respective regions. In Spain, it's most common in the northern autonomous communities of Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia, as well as the region of Castile and León. In Portugal, it can be found primarily in the north, especially in districts like Braga and Porto. Smaller groups of Cerpa family descendants are also present in South America, particularly in countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, where Spanish and Portuguese immigrants settled historically. The name's distribution outside these regions is relatively rare but can be found among diaspora communities from Spain and Portugal.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cerpa

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Famous people with the last name Cerpa

The Cerpa surname has produced several notable figures across various fields. One of the most renowned is Jorge Arturo Cerpa Molina, a Guatemalan astronomer who contributed significantly to the study of galaxy evolution and was instrumental in the discovery of new galaxies using Hubble Space Telescope observations. In the realm of literature, there's Luis Cerpa, a Mexican writer known for his novel "Los enfermos del mundo" which won the 1985 Xavier Villaurrutia Prize for literary excellence. In music, Ana Tijoux, born Ana Jara Cerpa-Tanaquilh, is a Chilean rapper and songwriter who gained international recognition with her album "1977". Lastly, Pedro Pablo Sacramento Cerpa was a Mexican military leader who played an important role in the Mexican War of Independence. These are just a few examples illustrating the diverse accomplishments of individuals bearing the surname Cerpa.

Genealogical research on the last name Cerpa

The surname Cerpa is of Basque origin, specifically from the province of Biscay in Spain. It is derived from the place-name "Zerpa," which translates to "rock" or "stone" in Basque. Early records show that the name was first documented in the late medieval period in Biscay, with the first known bearer being Juan de Zerpa in the 15th century.

The Cerpa family expanded throughout Spain during the centuries following the unification of the kingdoms under Ferdinand and Isabella in the late 15th century. Some branches migrated to South America during the Spanish colonization, particularly to Mexico, Argentina, Cuba, and Peru. In these countries, the name has persisted and evolved local variations, such as "Cerpa y Arriba" or "Cerpa y Abajo."

The family also has notable figures in its history, including Fray Diego de Cerpa y Cervantes (1534-1628), a Franciscan missionary who evangelized in South America, and Jose Cerpa y Torres (1807-1890), a Mexican statesman and politician. Genealogical research on the Cerpa surname continues to explore its various branches and notable figures across Spain and the Americas.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Cerpa"
• 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 : 15 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends