What is the origin of the last name Lago?

The surname Lago is of Italian origin. It derives from a topographical name for someone who lived by a lake or pool, or a habitational name from one of numerous places named with this word, often found in northern and central Italy. The name comes from the Latin term "lacus," meaning lake. In some cases, it may also be an occupational surname for a fisherman, as "lago" is also the Italian word for pike or perch.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lago

The meaning and origin of the last name Lago

The surname Lago has Italian origins, derived from a topographical name for someone who lived near a lake or a swampy area. It comes from the Latin word "lacus," which means lake. The name was often given to people who resided near a body of water, such as a lakeside village, or it could have been a nickname for someone who had some characteristic associated with a lake, such as a calm and peaceful demeanor. Over time, the surname Lago has spread beyond Italy due to migration, and today, individuals with this name can be found in various countries around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lago

The surname Lago is predominantly found in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries due to its origins from these languages, which mean "lake" in both. In Spain, particularly in Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and Castilla y León regions, the name Lago is relatively common. In Portugal, it's most prevalent in the northern regions like Minho and Douro. It also has a significant presence in South America, particularly in countries with a strong Portuguese influence such as Brazil, where it ranks among the top 500 most common surnames. Additionally, there are Italian populations carrying the name Lago, mainly concentrated in the north around Lake Como and other lake regions. The distribution of the Lago surname also extends to other parts of Europe and the Americas, due to migration and assimilation over time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lago

The surname Lago has several variations and spellings across different languages and regions. In English, it is most commonly spelled as Lago. However, in other languages such as Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, there are similar-sounding but distinct variations. These include Lagos (in Portuguese it can also mean a lake or bay), Lagos (Spanish for the same), and Lagoz (an archaic form in Spanish). In Italian, while Lago is predominant, it can also be spelled as Lagò, Laggo, or Làgo. In addition, there might be regional variations or misspellings such as LaGo, Lagoe, or Laygo, although these are less common and may not be considered standard forms of the surname Lago.

Famous people with the last name Lago

Notable individuals with the surname Lago include:

1. Juan Pablo Lago (born 1967), a former professional tennis player from Argentina who reached a career-high ranking of World No. 84 in singles and won six ATP Challenger titles.
2. Elena Lago (born 1993), a Spanish model who has worked for brands such as Prada, Chanel, and Alexander McQueen. She was named the International Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2013.
3. Ricardo Lago (born 1948), a Chilean economist and politician who served as Minister of Finance from 2014 to 2018 under President Michelle Bachelet. Prior to this, he held various academic positions in Chile and the United States.
4. Antonio Lago (1925-2013), an Italian film director and screenwriter who made his feature film debut with "I ragazzi della via Pal" (1968). He is perhaps best known for his 1977 film "La casa del sorriso", which was entered into the 28th Berlin International Film Festival.
5. Mario Lago (1933-2014), an Italian singer and actor who became popular in the 1960s with hits such as "Tu che ne sai" and "L'amore si fa senza ragioni". He also appeared in several films, including "I mostri" (1963) and "La donna scimmia" (1964).

Genealogical research on the last name Lago

The surname Lago, of Italian origin, is primarily associated with Italy and Spain. In Italy, it is most commonly found in regions such as Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna. The name Lago, derived from the Italian word for lake, suggests that early bearers of this surname may have lived near or worked on a significant body of water. In Spain, Lago is less common but also of Italian origin, potentially brought by immigrants or through the marriage of Italians with Spanish families. Notable individuals bearing the name include Spanish tennis player Albert Costa Lago and Italian artist Mario Lago. Genealogical research into the Lago lineage offers a fascinating exploration of Italian and Spanish history, as well as the migration patterns of its bearers over time.

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NomOrigine Team
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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.

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