The surname Frago is of Portuguese origin. It comes from a diminutive form of the personal name Francisco, which means "Frenchman" or "free man." The name became a popular surname in Portugal during the Middle Ages due to the country's close historical ties with France and the high prevalence of the given name Francisco among the population. In some cases, it may also have been used as a nickname for someone who was thought to be short, sturdy or strong, as "fraga" means "rough" or "hard" in Portuguese.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Frago
The meaning and origin of the last name Frago
The surname Frago is a Portuguese and Galician name that originated from a topographical or occupational origin. It is derived from the word "fraga," which means a rocky or rugged place, or it could be related to an occupation where a person worked with rocks or stones, such as a quarryman. The name was often given to individuals who lived near or worked on a fraga, or to those who hailed from a village with that name. In Portugal, Frago is found mainly in the northern region, while in Galicia, Spain, it is more common in the provinces of A Coruña and Lugo. Over time, variations in spelling such as Frajo, Fraga, Fragão, and Frage have arisen due to regional dialects and migration patterns.
Geographical distribution of the last name Frago
The surname Frago is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Portugal and Brazil. It originates from the Galician region in Spain, where it was introduced by the Moors during their occupation. Over time, many Galicians migrated to Portugal, carrying the name with them. From Portugal, the name also spread to its former colonies, notably Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique. Smaller populations of Fragos can be found in other countries with significant Portuguese immigration, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. In these countries, the name has been adapted to conform to local phonetic or orthographic conventions.
Variants and spellings of the last name Frago
The surname Frago has several variations and spellings in English and other languages. Some common variations include Fraigo, Fraggo, Fragaio, and Fraghe. In Portuguese, the original form of the name is Fraga. It may also be found as Fraggia or Fraghi in Italian and Fragua or Fraguas in Spanish. Additionally, there could be regional or familial variations based on different pronunciation, spelling conventions, or historical influences. However, it is essential to note that the specific variation of a surname can often provide insights into an individual's ancestry or cultural background.
Famous people with the last name Frago
Prominent individuals bearing the surname Frago include:
1. João Francisco Frago (born 1946), a Brazilian Roman Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of Belo Horizonte from 2007 to 2018.
2. Francisco Pizarro y Aliaga (c. 1475-1541), a Spanish conquistador most famous for leading the expedition that conquered the Inca Empire in 1533.
3. António Augusto de Aguiar Frago (born 1962), a Portuguese politician who served as Minister of Justice between 2011 and 2013, and as Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union from 2015 to 2020.
4. Jorge Fraga, an American political scientist specializing in comparative politics, political institutions, and democratization. He currently serves as a professor at Stanford University.
These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields such as religion, politics, and academia.
Genealogical research on the last name Frago
The Frago surname originates from the Iberian Peninsula, specifically Spain and Portugal, where it is believed to have roots dating back to the Middle Ages. In Spain, Frago is primarily found in Galicia and Asturias regions, while in Portugal, it is most common in the North. The name is derived from a place name or occupational surname, possibly related to the word "fraga," which means "small clearing" in old Castilian. Notable individuals bearing the Frago surname include Francisco Frago Rosas, a Spanish politician, and Jorge Fragoso Dias, a Portuguese journalist and politician. The Frago lineage is rich in historical context, reflecting the cultural and political landscape of Spain and Portugal throughout history.
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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