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Last Name Hipolito-godoy

What is the origin of the last name Hipolito-godoy?

The surname Hipólito-Godoy is a composite surname, formed by combining two separate surnames, Hipólito and Godoy. The surname Hipólito is of Latin origin and means "happy" or "joyful." It was given as a baptismal name in honor of St. Hippolytus, a third-century Christian theologian and martyr. In Spanish-speaking countries, it became a common surname. The surname Godoy is also of Spanish origin, but its origins are less clear. It may be derived from the Occitan word "godoi," meaning "good man" or "worthy." However, it could also be a topographical name, referring to someone who lived near a small hill or mound (Spanish: "godo"). The surname Godoy was borne by several prominent figures in Spanish history, including the Marqués de la Ensenada and the Prime Minister of Spain during the reigns of Charles III and Charles IV. Therefore, the composite surname Hipólito-Godoy is likely a combination of a baptismal name and a surname that was given to someone who had both names as part of their given names at birth or as a result of a change in surnames.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Hipolito-godoy

The meaning and origin of the last name Hipolito-godoy

The surname Hipólito-Godoy is a composite Spanish patronymic name, formed by combining two separate family names.

Hipólito is a baptismal name derived from the Latin Hippolytus, which means "horse-tamer" or "one tamed by horses." This name was given to babies baptized on the feast day of Saint Hippolytus, a Greek martyr and early Christian theologian.

Godoy is a Spanish surname of Basque origin, possibly derived from the place names Goio-Dia (meaning "high hill" in Basque) or Goizueta (meaning "new village"). It was brought to Spain by Basque settlers during the Middle Ages. The combination of Hipólito and Godoy suggests that the name's bearer, or an ancestor, may have been baptized as Hipólito and later adopted the surname Godoy. This surname is relatively uncommon but can be found in various parts of Spain, especially in the Basque Country and Castile-La Mancha.

Geographical distribution of the last name Hipolito-godoy

The surname Hipólito-Godoy is primarily concentrated in Spanish-speaking countries due to its combination of two distinct roots: Hipólito, a common Spanish masculine given name derived from the Latin Hippolytus, and Godoy, a Spanish patronymic associated with the famous Spanish statesman Manuel de Godoy y Alvarez de Faria (1767-1851). The Hipólito part is most prevalent in regions where Spanish is spoken, particularly in Mexico, Spain, and Central America. Meanwhile, Godoy is more commonly found in Portugal due to the influence of Manuel de Godoy's Portuguese wife, Maria Amalia de Souza e Melo, Duchess of Cadiz. The surname Hipólito-Godoy can also be found among diaspora communities from these regions, primarily in the United States and other English-speaking countries with a significant presence of Spanish or Portuguese speakers.

Variants and spellings of the last name Hipolito-godoy

The surname Hipolito-Godoy has several variations and spellings due to differences in translation, transcription errors, and regional dialects over time. Here are some common forms:

1. Hipolito-Godoy: This is the most direct translation of the name from Spanish, where it combines two separate surnames - Hipolito and Godoy.
2. Hipolytus-Godoy: This variation represents a phonetic adaptation in English, converting the Spanish "Hipolito" to its Latin counterpart "Hipolytus."
3. Hipolyt Godoy: In some cases, hyphens may be omitted for stylistic reasons or due to differences in transcription.
4. Yipolito-Godoy: In certain cultures or contexts, the name may also be spelled with a "y" instead of an "h," as in the use of "j" for "g" or "y" for "ll" in Spanish.
5. Hipólito-Gómez Godoy: It's possible to find compound surnames where Hipolito is combined with another surname, such as Gómez, due to family merging events over time.
6. Hiplito-Godoy or Ipilito-Godoy: Occasionally, the spelling may be modified due to regional dialects or transcription errors, leading to variations like these.
7. Hipolit Godoi or Hipolito Goido: In Portuguese-speaking countries, the name could also appear with a different language's orthography, such as "Godoi" without the "y."

Famous people with the last name Hipolito-godoy

Hipólito Yrigoyen (1871-1933) was an Argentine politician who served as President of Argentina twice, from 1916 to 1922 and then again from 1928 until his death in 1933. He is considered the founder of the Radical Civic Union (Unión Cívica Radical), which was a major political party in Argentina for much of the 20th century.

Another notable figure with the surname Hipólito-Yrigoyen is José Hipólito Yrigoyen (born 1975), a Venezuelan actor who has worked in both film and television. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Elvis Presley in the biographical film "Elvis" (2005).

Lastly, Maria Teresa Hipolito-Yrigoyen is a Filipino actress and model who has appeared in numerous films and TV shows in the Philippines. She is best known for her roles in the films "Tanging Yaman" (2005) and "Bata, Bata...Paano Ka Ginawa?" (2006).

Genealogical research on the last name Hipolito-godoy

The surname Hipolito-Godoy originates from a combination of two distinct family names: Hipolito and Godoy. The name Hipolito is of Hebrew origin, derived from the given name 'Yippele' or 'Ippolytos', which means "one who fights horses." The name Godoy is a Spanish patronymic surname originating from the personal name 'Godo', which was used as a shortened form of various compound names containing this element, such as Sancho Godo and Rodrigo Godo.

The Hipolito family is believed to have roots in Galicia, Spain, while the Godoy family has origins in Old Castile. Both families migrated to South America during the colonial period, with the first records of the combined surname appearing in Mexico in the 18th century. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Juan Nepomuceno Hipolito Godoy (1767-1841), a Mexican politician who served as the second Regent of New Spain after Spanish independence, and Pedro María Hipólito Godoy y Quintana (1850-1926), a Peruvian political leader who was President of Peru from 1886 to 1890.

The surname Hipolito-Godoy has since spread across several Latin American countries, with significant populations in Mexico, Peru, and Spain.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 31 July 2025

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