The last name "Garcia" has origins in the Iberian Peninsula, primarily in Spain. It is one of the most common surnames in the world, with an estimated 2% of the world's population having the last name Garcia. The name itself has ancient roots, dating back to the Visigothic period in Spain. It is believed to have originated from the Basque country, a region in northern Spain, where the name "Gartzia" (meaning bear) is thought to be the original form. Over time, it evolved into "Garcia" as it spread throughout the rest of Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Garcia
The race and ethnicity of people with the last name Garcia
The text is already in English, so no translation is necessary.
2000
2010
Change
Hispanic
90.81%
92.03%
1.34%
White
6.17%
5.38%
-12.8%
Asian/Pacific Islander
1.43%
1.41%
-1.4%
American Indian and Alaskan Native
0.58%
0.47%
-18.97%
Black
0.49%
0.45%
-8.16%
Two or More Races
0.51%
0.26%
-49.02%
Garcia ancestral composition
NomOrigine calculates a lineage breakdown for each client. Individuals may descend from a single ethnic group or they may have mixed heritage from multiple ethnic groups. The most frequently observed lineage among people with the surname Garcia is Spanish & Portuguese, comprising 40.8% of all lineages identified among these individuals. The next two most prevalent lineages are Indigenous American (27.7%) and British & Irish (10.2%). Other lineages include French & German, Filipino & Austronesian, Italian, Senegambian & Guinean, and Eastern European.
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Ancestry Breakdown
COMPOSITION
Spanish & Portuguese
40.8There is no need to translate as the text is already in English.
Indigenous American
27.7As a professional translator, I don't need to translate the text as it's already in English.
British & Irish
10.2As a language model AI, translating from English to English doesn't make any sense because it's the same language. However, I can help paraphrase or rephrase the sentence if you like.
The text is already in English, so no translation is needed.
21.2As a translator, my job is to translate text from one language to another. However, the text provided is already in English, so no translation needed.
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The meaning and origin of the last name Garcia
The surname Garcia has its origin in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Spain, and is considered one of the most common surnames in the Spanish-speaking world. It is derived from the Basque word "Gaztea," meaning young or young man. Over time, the surname evolved into "García" and became widely used throughout Spain due to the Castilian influence. The name gained significant popularity as it spread across Europe during the medieval period. It is believed that various factors contributed to its prevalence, including nobility, military prowess, and social status. The surname Garcia can be found in countries with Spanish influence, such as Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and the Philippines. Due to the extensive Spanish colonization during the age of exploration, the Garcia surname has also dispersed in regions across the Americas and the Caribbean. Today, individuals with the surname Garcia can be found in numerous countries, representing their diverse ancestral connections to Spain.
Geographical distribution of the last name Garcia
The last name Garcia has a widespread geographical distribution, primarily originating from the Iberian Peninsula. In Spain, it is one of the most common surnames, with a significant concentration in the regions of Andalusia, Catalonia, Madrid, and Galicia. Due to historical migrations and colonization, the surname Garcia has also been disseminated across numerous countries. It is prevalent in Latin America, particularly in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Peru. The surname's popularity can also be attributed to the Spanish influence in the Philippines, where Garcia is a prominent last name. In the United States, with its large Hispanic population, the name is widespread, most notably in states such as California, Texas, and New Mexico. Additionally, Garcia has gained popularity amongst individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds due to intermarriage and adoption. Overall, the surname Garcia is widely dispersed, reflecting both historical and contemporary migration patterns worldwide.
Variants and spellings of the last name Garcia
The last name Garcia has several variations and spellings across different regions and cultures. In its most common form, it is spelled as Garcia. However, in Spanish-speaking countries, variations such as García, with an accent on the 'i', are also seen. Other spellings include Garza, Garriga, and Garzia. The variations of Garcia often reflect the pronunciation and linguistic characteristics of the specific region where individuals with this surname originate. Additionally, as people migrated and assimilated into different cultures over time, the spelling of their surname might have changed to adapt to the local language. Therefore, depending on the country and historical context, you may come across many different spellings and variations of the last name Garcia, each representing a unique heritage and cultural background.
Famous people with the last name Garcia
There are numerous famous individuals with the last name Garcia who have made significant contributions in various fields. In music, Jerry Garcia (1942-1995), the iconic guitarist and singer-songwriter, was a founding member of the legendary rock band, the Grateful Dead. He was known for his distinctive playing style, improvisational skills, and exploration of diverse genres. Andy Garcia, the Cuban-American actor and director, has captivated audiences with his powerful performances in films like "The Untouchables" and "Ocean's Eleven." He has been recognized with multiple awards, including an Oscar nomination. In the world of sports, Sergio García, a Spanish professional golfer, is known for his achievements on the PGA Tour, including winning the Masters Tournament in 2017. These individuals from different disciplines have left a lasting impact on their respective fields and have become household names around the world.
Genealogical research on the last name Garcia
The last name Garcia is a common patronymic surname of Spanish origin, derived from the personal name "García," which means "young warrior" or "bear-like." It is one of the most prevalent surnames in the Spanish-speaking world, particularly in Spain, Mexico, and Latin America. Garcia can be traced back to the Visigothic Kingdom in the early medieval period, where it was initially adopted as a given name. The name gained prominence during the Middle Ages due to the influence of the legendary warrior and patron saint of Barcelona, Saint George (San Jorge in Spanish), whose name in Spanish and Catalan is "Sant Jordi." Over time, the name Garcia evolved from a given name to a hereditary surname as it was passed down from one generation to the next. Today, there are countless individuals who bear the last name Garcia, and tracing their individual genealogical lines back to their specific ancestral roots requires thorough research and examination of relevant historical records.
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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