Last Name Cova

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cova

The meaning and origin of the last name Cova

The surname Cova has roots in various European countries, particularly Spain and Italy, although it may also be found in other regions due to migration over time. In Italian, "Cova" can derive from two sources: either from the Latin word "cava," meaning "cave" or "excavation," or from the given name "Cola" (short for Nicola), with the suffix "-va" being a common Italian surname-forming element.

In Spanish, "Cova" can be derived from the Occitan word "coba" or "cobo," meaning "grapevine." This may indicate that the name was originally given to someone who lived near or worked with grapevines. The name Cova has been recorded in Spain since the Middle Ages and is most common in the regions of Catalonia, Valencia, and Aragon. In both Italian and Spanish cultures, surnames were often linked to a person's occupation, place of origin, or physical characteristics, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact origin of the name Cova for every individual bearing this surname.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cova

The surname Cova is predominantly found in Spain, particularly in the eastern regions including Valencia and Catalonia. It originates from toponyms derived from the word "coba" or "cobos," which means hollow or cave in Old Spanish. In addition, it is also common in Italy, primarily in the northern regions such as Liguria, Piedmont, and Tuscany. The name Cova in Italy comes from the Italian word "grotta," meaning cave. These geographical distributions reflect historical settlement patterns of people bearing the surname Cova, with a significant presence in both Spanish-speaking and Italian-speaking communities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cova

The surname Cova has several variations and spellings across different regions and languages. In English, it is commonly spelled as Cova, Covà, or COVA (capitalized to distinguish it from a common noun). In Spanish and Italian, it may be spelled as Covà, Cová, or Coava, while in Portuguese, it might be written as Cóva. There are also variations such as de la Cova, del Cova, and del Covà, which include the preposition "de" (meaning "of") at the beginning of the surname. Additionally, some individuals may hyphenate the name or use a patronymic form, such as Covas or de los Covas, depending on their family's tradition and location.

Famous people with the last name Cova

Francisco Coda y Baurá (1823-1906) was a Spanish military officer and politician who served as Minister of War during the reign of Queen Isabella II. Born into a noble family, he played a significant role in the Carlist Wars and later became a senator for life under the Restoration monarchy.

Anna Cumming Frederick (1869-1954) was an American astronomer who made notable contributions to the field of stellar spectroscopy. She worked at the Lick Observatory in California and discovered several new types of variable stars, including the R CrB stars and the X Cygni stars.

Ricardo Coya (born 1950) is a Peruvian politician who served as Prime Minister from 1992 to 1993 during the government of President Alberto Fujimori. He later became President of the Peruvian Congress and was implicated in the 2000 Peruvian political scandal, leading to his imprisonment for several years.

Pablo Cueva (born 1989) is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who currently plays for the Mexican club América and the Ecuador national team. He is known for his versatility as a midfielder and has represented his country in three FIFA World Cups.

Josep Cova (1943-2018) was a Spanish composer, pianist, and conductor who made significant contributions to contemporary music. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including the National Music Prize of Spain, and is remembered for his innovative and experimental compositional style.

Genealogical research on the last name Cova

The surname Cova originates from Italy and is primarily found in regions such as Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto. One of the earliest recorded instances of the Cova family was Giuseppe Cova, born in Lombardy around the year 1500. Over the centuries, the name evolved through various spellings including Covaro, Coava, and Cauve due to differences in transcription and translation.

Migrations from Italy brought the Cova surname to other parts of Europe and later, to the Americas. In Spain, Covas are a significant family with roots tracing back to Catalonia. Notable figures bearing this name include the Spanish painter Luis Ricardo Dalmau y Covas and footballer Gerard Piqué, who was born into a prominent Covas family in Barcelona.

In North America, Covas can be found across various countries. The most significant concentrations of the surname are in Argentina, where it is among the top 100 most common last names, and in the United States, primarily in California and Florida. Notable American figures with the surname include musician Joe Cova and actor Tony Cova.

Overall, the surname Cova has a rich history that spans several centuries and continents, with numerous notable individuals contributing to its legacy.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Cova"
• 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 : 23 July 2025