What is the origin of the last name Figo?

The surname Figo is of Portuguese and Spanish origin. It derives from the given name "Félix," which means "happy" or "lucky" in Latin. Over time, it evolved into various forms such as Figueira, Figueiredo, and Figueroa in Portugal and Spain, with Figo being a common modern variant. Notable figures with this surname include Portuguese footballer Luís Figo and Spanish former tennis player Arantxa Sánchez Vicario.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Figo

The meaning and origin of the last name Figo

The surname Figo is of Portuguese and Spanish origin, derived from the given name Félix, which means "happy" or "lucky" in Latin. It evolved into Figueira (Portuguese) and Figueroa (Spanish), meaning "fig tree" or simply "fig." The surname Figo is common among Portuguese and Spanish speakers, as well as among people of Portuguese and Spanish descent worldwide. Notable individuals with the surname Figo include football players Luis Figo from Portugal and Gaizka Mendieta Figueras from Spain.

Geographical distribution of the last name Figo

The last name Figo is primarily distributed across Portugal and Brazil due to historical reasons. In Portugal, it originates from the town of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo in Guarda district. Many Portuguese immigrants carried this surname to their colonies, particularly Brazil, where it became one of the most common surnames in the country. Today, a significant number of people with the last name Figo reside in these two nations, as well as in other parts of the world where Portuguese and Brazilian diaspora are present, such as Angola, Mozambique, United States, Canada, and Australia. Additionally, some individuals with this surname can be found in Spain, due to regional similarities between the names Figueira (Portuguese) and Figuera (Spanish).

Variants and spellings of the last name Figo

The surname Figo has several variations and spellings in different languages and regions. In English, it is most commonly spelled as Figo. However, it can also be found with slight alterations such as Figo, Figo's, Figos, and Figoes. In Portuguese, the original language of the famous footballer Luis Figo, the surname is often written as FIGO. It can also appear as Figue or Figues in some Portuguese dialects. Spanish variations include Figuero, Figueras, Figuerola, and Figuerolla, which stem from the same root word "figuero," meaning "fig tree" in Spanish. In Italian, it is occasionally found as Figaro, which is a separate surname of different origin but shares a similar phonetic structure with Figo.

Famous people with the last name Figo

Luis Figo, a prominent figure in football history, is widely recognized as one of the greatest Portuguese players of all time. Born on November 4, 1972, Figo started his career with Sporting CP before moving to FC Barcelona and subsequently Real Madrid, creating a notable rivalry between these two clubs. Known for his dribbling skills, vision, and precision passing, he was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2000. In international football, Figo represented Portugal from 1993 to 2006, appearing in Euro 1996, 2000, and 2004, as well as the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. Another notable individual with the last name Figo is Ricardo Kaka Figo, a Brazilian professional footballer who currently plays for Cruzeiro EC. Although not as globally renowned as Luis Figo, he has had a successful career in his native country.

Genealogical research on the last name Figo

The surname Figo, originating from Portugal, is predominantly associated with the Iberian Peninsula, particularly Portugal and Spain. Its etymology can be traced back to the Old Occitan word "figuier," meaning "fig tree." Early records show that the name was brought to Portugal by the Moors during their occupation in the Middle Ages. Notable bearers of the surname include Luis Figo, a renowned Portuguese footballer who played for Barcelona and Real Madrid, and Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro Ferreira, commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, who adopted Figo as his stage name in homage to the famous footballer. The surname Figo has also been recorded in Brazil due to Portuguese immigration.

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NomOrigine Team
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.

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