Last Name Felarca

The surname Felarca is believed to have origins in Southern Italy, specifically Calabria. It derives from the Latin word "Falcarius" which means falconer or bird trainer. Over time, it evolved into various spellings such as Falcara, Falcaro, and Felarca due to phonetic changes and regional dialects. As with many Italian surnames, it was often associated with an occupation, place of origin, or a personal characteristic. However, this is a general assumption and specific family histories may vary.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Felarca

The meaning and origin of the last name Felarca

The surname Felarca is of Italian origin, derived from various regional place names or personal names in Italy. It is believed to have roots in locations such as Filarcia, near Salerno in Campania, or Felitto, in the province of Salerno. Over time, these place names evolved into the surname Felarca, which was subsequently adopted by individuals from these regions. The name can also be a variation of other Italian surnames like Filardo, derived from the personal name Filardo, a diminutive form of Filippo (Philip). However, it's important to note that the exact origin may vary depending on specific family histories.

Geographical distribution of the last name Felarca

The surname Felarca is predominantly distributed in Italy, primarily in the regions of Campania, Lazio, and Calabria. This surname originates from the town of Fiumefreddo Bruzio in the province of Cosenza, Calabria. It has also been found in smaller numbers in other Italian-speaking countries such as Switzerland and Argentina. In these regions, it's most concentrated among the Italian diaspora who migrated to these countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While there are instances of Felarca being recorded elsewhere, like the United States, its frequency is significantly lower compared to its distribution in Italy and other Italian-speaking regions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Felarca

The surname Felarca has several variations and spellings, most of which are derived from phonetic alterations or regional dialects. Here are some common variations:

1. Filarca - This variation may arise due to the interchangeability of "l" and "r" sounds in certain dialects or languages.
2. Filarcas - The addition of an "s" at the end might occur when the surname is used as a plural form, but it's also possible that it could be a typographical error or personal preference.
3. Felarka - A minor alteration in spelling might occur due to transcription errors or mispronunciations over time.
4. Fillarca - This variation could potentially stem from misspellings or phonetic changes, where the stress is placed on the second syllable rather than the first.
5. Felarkas - Similar to Felarcas, this spelling might result from the addition of an "s" at the end, as mentioned earlier.

Famous people with the last name Felarca

Notable individuals with the surname Felarca include:

1. Yvonne Felarca - An American activist and educator who is known for her work as a leader of By Any Means Necessary (BAMN), a revolutionary civil rights organization in the United States. She has been involved in various social justice movements, including anti-war protests and education reform advocacy.

2. Derek Felarca - An American educator and activist who is a co-founder of BAMN and a former high school teacher. He gained prominence for his role in the Occupy Oakland movement and has been involved in several civil rights cases and lawsuits.

Both Yvonne and Derek Felarca have faced controversy and legal challenges related to their activism, including allegations of violent behavior during protests and disciplinary actions regarding their teaching practices. Their work and controversies have generated significant media attention and public debate.

Genealogical research on the last name Felarca

The Felarca surname is believed to have originated from Italy, specifically the region of Calabria. It is derived from the place-name Felitto, located in the province of Cosenza. The name was likely taken on as an occupational or topographical surname by individuals who lived near or worked on lands belonging to the town of Felitto.

The Felarca family has been documented throughout Italy since the 16th century. Notable members include Giuseppe Felarca, a prominent lawyer and politician in the Kingdom of Italy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Felarca family also had a significant presence in Argentina, where many Italians immigrated during the same period.

Over time, the surname has spread globally due to migration waves, particularly to the United States, Brazil, Australia, and Canada. Variations of the name include Felarta, Filarca, Filarca, and others, which may have arisen due to phonetic or translational differences during record transcriptions over time.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Felarca"
• 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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