Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Lacaba

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Lacaba?

The surname Lacaba is of Spanish origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically from a location named "Lacaba" in the province of Navarra, Spain. Surnames originated as a way to distinguish between individuals who had the same given names. In feudal Spain, many people had only one name, so they were identified by their father's name or the place where they lived. The surname Lacaba is believed to have been adopted by someone from or originating from the town of Lacaba in Navarra.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lacaba

The meaning and origin of the last name Lacaba

The surname Lacaba is of Basque origin, which is one of the ancient languages spoken in the region now divided between Spain and France. The name is believed to be derived from various place names in the Basque Country, such as Lakaba or Laka-Barta, meaning 'flat' or 'open field'. Over time, the surname Lacaba has spread beyond the Basque region due to migration, and today it can be found worldwide among individuals of Basque descent. The name is also spelled in various ways, including Lakaba, Lakabe, and Lacabe, reflecting differences in transliteration and local variation in pronunciation.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lacaba

The surname Lacaba is predominantly found in the Philippines, particularly among the Ilocano and Ilonggo ethnic groups. It originates from the Ilocos region in northern Luzon, specifically in provinces like Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union. However, it has also spread to other parts of the Philippines as a result of migration, particularly to urban centers such as Manila and Cebu. In addition, there are small populations of Filipino immigrants with the surname Lacaba in various countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and some European countries. It's worth noting that the distribution could be influenced by historical events, such as the Spanish colonization, the Philippine Revolution, and World War II, which led to significant population movements within the country.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lacaba

The surname Lacaba has several variants and spelling versions due to regional dialects, transcription errors, and cultural influences over time. Some of these variations include:

1. Lacaba: This is the most common spelling of the name, originating from the Philippines.
2. LaCaba: This version introduces an extra capital letter in an attempt to conform with English naming conventions.
3. De Lacaba: In Spanish-speaking regions, it's common to include "De" as a prefix meaning "of."
4. Lacabo: A slight misspelling or phonetic variation of the original name.
5. Lakaba: This is a possible spelling based on an alternate pronunciation of the surname.
6. Lacabaw, Lacabado, and Lacabat are less common misspellings or variants that may arise due to transcription errors or regional dialects.

Famous people with the last name Lacaba

Notable individuals sharing the surname Lacaba include:

1. Nick Joaquin (also known as N.V.M. Gonzalez), a Filipino novelist and national artist for literature in the Philippines, who was a significant figure in Philippine literature.

2. Lourdes Sereno Lacaba, a Filipina lawyer and former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, known for her strong advocacy for human rights and rule of law.

3. Rolando Tinio Lacaba, a Filipino poet, journalist, and activist who was a key figure in the Philippine cultural renaissance during the Martial Law era.

4. Maria Serena Lacaba-Panganiban, a Filipina scientist and educator, recognized for her contributions to environmental science and education policy in the Philippines.

5. Jose Ma. Lacaba, a Filipino journalist and writer who has been a longtime contributor to several Philippine newspapers and magazines.

These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields such as literature, law, journalism, and science, demonstrating the versatility and accomplishments of people bearing the surname Lacaba.

Genealogical research on the last name Lacaba

The surname Lacaba is predominantly found in the Philippines and Spain. In the Philippines, it is believed to have originated from the Spanish Basque region, where numerous Basque families migrated during the Spanish colonization. The name Lacaba translates to "stone wall" in Basque, suggesting an occupational or geographical origin. In Spain, the name is less common but can be traced back to Navarre and La Rioja regions. Notable individuals with this surname include Juan de la Cruz Lacaba, a Filipino journalist and author, and Francisco Lacaba, a Filipino playwright and theater director. Genealogical records in both countries provide valuable insights into the family history and migrations of the Lacaba clan.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

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.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Lac

Last name • surnames > lac

The surname Lac is a French name derived from various possible origins. One possibility is that it comes from a nickname for someone who lived near a lake or body of water, as "lac...

#2 Lacag

Last name • surnames > lacag

The last name "Lacag" is of Basque origin and is believed to be derived from the word "Laka," which means "pond" or "lake" in the Basque language.

#3 Lacaille

Last name • surnames > lacaille

The surname Lacaille is of French origin. It is derived from a variety of place names in France that share the same root, such as La Caille and Lacaille. These names are derived fr...

#4 Lacale

Last name • surnames > lacale

The last name Lacale is of Italian origin. It is a locational surname derived from the word "calle," meaning street or lane.

#5 Lacamara

Last name • surnames > lacamara

The surname Lacamara is of Spanish origin. It is a toponymic surname, meaning it originated from a geographical location. In this case, it is believed to have originated from the S...

#6 Lacamoire

Last name • surnames > lacamoire

The last name Lacamoire is of French origin. It is derived from the French words "la" which means "the" and "ca" which means "small house" or "hut". This indicates that the origina...

#7 Lacar

Last name • surnames > lacar

The last name "Lacar" is of Basque origin, a region in northern Spain and southwestern France. It is derived from the Basque word "lakar," which means "stone" or "rock." This surna...

#8 Lacassagne

Last name • surnames > lacassagne

The surname "Lacassagne" is of French origin. It is derived from a place name, indicating that the original bearer lived near or originated from a location with this name. In Frenc...

#9 Lacassaigne

Last name • surnames > lacassaigne

The surname Lacassagne is of French origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically a village named La Cassagne located in the department of Aveyron in southern France. The n...

#10 Lacasta

Last name • surnames > lacasta

The surname Lacasta is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the place name La Casta, which means "the castle" in Spanish. This surname is likely to have originated from a person w...

#11 Lacaste

Last name • surnames > lacaste

The surname Lacaste is of French origin. It is derived from the word "Château," meaning "castle" in French, indicating that the original bearers of this surname likely resided nea...

#12 Lacastisanto

Last name • surnames > lacastisanto

The last name Lacastisanto is of Italian origin. It is derived from the words "la" meaning "the", "casti" meaning "chaste" or "pure", and "santo" meaning "holy" or "saintly".

#13 Lacave

Last name • surnames > lacave

The last name Lacave is of French origin. It is derived from the word "cave," which means cellar or underground storage place. It is likely that this surname was originally given t...

#14 Lacay

Last name • surnames > lacay

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

#15 Lacbay

Last name • surnames > lacbay

The origin of the last name Lacbay is Filipino.