Last Name Jemenez

The surname Jemez, or Jemenez, is of Spanish origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically the town of Jérez de la Frontera in the province of Cadiz, Andalusia, Spain. The name Jérez is believed to be derived from the Arabic "djarrah" meaning castle or fortress. The surname was likely adopted by Spanish settlers who migrated from this region and carried the name with them to other parts of the world, including Latin America and the United States.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Jemenez

The meaning and origin of the last name Jemenez

The surname Jemez, often spelled as Jemenez, has its roots in Spain. It is derived from a place name, specifically the village of Jemez de la Frontera located in the province of Córdoba. The village's name originates from the pre-Roman indigenous Iberian settlement of Caesaraugusta, where the Romans later built a city named Ciudad Jubilo. Over time, the surname spread to other parts of Spain and eventually to other countries as people migrated. In its modern form, Jemez or Jemenez, it is a common Spanish surname found among the Hispanic population worldwide.

Geographical distribution of the last name Jemenez

The surname Jerez is predominantly found in Spanish-speaking countries, particularly Spain and several Latin American nations. In Spain, it is most concentrated in regions such as Andalusia, Castile-La Mancha, Extremadura, and Valencia, where the name has historical roots dating back to Moorish rule. In Latin America, it is common in countries like Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina, often due to migration from Spain during colonial times. The surname Jerez also has a presence in other Spanish-speaking countries such as Puerto Rico and Cuba. It is worth noting that the distribution can vary within these regions due to factors like regional migrations, genealogical records, and cultural influences.

Variants and spellings of the last name Jemenez

The surname Jemenez has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and transliteration over time, as well as regional dialects. Some common variants include:

* Geminoz, Gimeno, Jimeno, and Ximeno (in Spanish-speaking regions)
* Ximenes, Xymenes, Xymenius, Ximenius (in Portuguese- and French-speaking regions)
* Zimenez, Ziminez (in Anglicized forms)
* Giometti, Jemmetti (Italian variants)
* Geimer, Gemmer, Giemza (in Germanic languages)

These variations can also be found with different prefixes, such as de, del, la, los, and y (de la, del, los, y Jemenez are common in Spanish-speaking regions). It is important to note that the spelling of surnames can vary even within the same family due to factors such as personal preference, regional dialects, or changes over time.

Famous people with the last name Jemenez

Notable individuals with the surname Jaramillo include:

1. Francisco Javier Jiménez (b. 1948), a Mexican-American poet and professor who has written several collections of poetry, including "The Circuit," which won the National Book Award for Poetry in 1995.
2. Carlos Jiménez (b. 1960), an American art historian and curator who specializes in modern and contemporary Latin American art. He currently serves as the director of the Smithsonian's Latino Center.
3. Maritza Jimenez (b. 1974), a Cuban-American actress known for her roles in television series such as "The Shield," "Boston Legal," and "CSI: Miami."
4. Xavi Jiménez (b. 1986), a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Real Betis Balompié and the Spain national team. He won the UEFA Europa League with Sevilla FC in 2015-2016.
5. Ana Jaramillo (b. 1973), a Colombian artist whose work often explores the relationship between nature, culture, and gender. She has exhibited her art internationally at institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Modern in London.

Genealogical research on the last name Jemenez

The surname Jemez/Jemeño originates from the Spanish colonization of Mexico, specifically the region around present-day San Juan del Río Yhóquieh (or San Juan de los Jemez) in New Mexico, United States. The indigenous people of this area, the Jemez Indians, were given the surname Jemez/Jemeño by the Spanish colonizers as part of their policy to assimilate indigenous populations. Over time, many Jemez individuals moved north and settled throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona in the United States, as well as in Mexico. The variant Jemenez is likely a more modern spelling adaptation of the original surname. The Jemez/Jemeño people have a rich cultural history that combines both indigenous and Spanish influences, with many preserving traditional crafts such as pottery, weaving, and jewelry-making.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Jemenez"
• 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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