NomOrigine Background

Last Name Letamendia

What is the origin of the last name Letamendia?

The surname Letamendia is of Basque origin. It is derived from the place-name "Letegoma" located in the Biscay province of Spain. The name Letegoma refers to a farmstead associated with the river Lete, which means "water" or "stream" in Basque. Over time, this place-name evolved into the surname Letamendia, which is still common among Basques today.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Letamendia

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Letamendia

The meaning and origin of the last name Letamendia

The surname Letamendia is of Basque origin, with roots deeply embedded in the historical region of Spain known as the Basque Country. The name can be traced back to the medieval period, derived from the Basque word "lea" which means meadow or pasture, and "tamendi", meaning servant or worker. Thus, Letamendia is a patronymic surname, indicating that it was originally given as a professional or occupational name to someone who worked on a farm or tended to the land. The suffix "-ia" in this case, is a common Basque addition used to form patronymics or toponyms. Over time, variations of this name have arisen due to spelling adaptations during migration and assimilation into different cultures.

Geographical distribution of the last name Letamendia

The surname Letamendia is primarily concentrated in the Basque Country, a region spanning parts of Spain and France. It is one of the more common Basque surnames, reflecting its historical roots in this cultural and linguistic enclave. In Spain, the majority of individuals with the last name Letamendia reside in the autonomous communities of Navarra and the Basque Country, particularly in cities such as San Sebastián, Bilbao, and Vitoria-Gasteiz. In France, significant numbers can be found in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques department, specifically around Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Beyond these regions, there are scattered occurrences of Letamendia families in other parts of Spain and in countries with Basque diaspora communities like Argentina, Mexico, and the United States.

Variants and spellings of the last name Letamendia

The surname Letamendia has various spelling variations due to differences in transcription and translation over time and across regions. Here are some common variants:

* Letamendi (most commonly used)
* Letamenia
* Letamenda
* Leta Mendia
* Leta Mendi
* Leta Mendez
* Letamendia
* Letamonde
* Letamondo
* Leta Mendoza
* Leta Mondo
* Leta Montoya

These variations may arise from errors in transcription, regional dialects, or attempts to phonetically represent the name in different languages. It's important to note that while these variations exist, they all originate from the same original surname and are therefore considered synonymous.

Famous people with the last name Letamendia

Notable individuals with the surname Letamendia include:

1. **Gustavo Letamendi** (born 1984), an Argentine rugby union player who has represented his country at international level and played professionally for clubs in Argentina, France, and England.
2. **Marcela Letamendi** (born 1970), an Argentine actress who is best known for her roles in television shows such as "Pobre Diabla," "Chiquititas," and "La ley del silencio."
3. **Juan Pablo Letamendi** (born 1986), an Argentine footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Racing Club de Avellaneda in Argentina's Primera División.
4. **Pilar Letamendi** (1905-1973), an Argentine writer, journalist, and translator who was one of the leading figures of the Ultraismo movement in literature. She is known for her poetry collections "Ultra" (1923) and "Escenas y paisajes del Plata" (1940).
5. **Miguel Letamendi** (born 1986), a Uruguayan footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Central Español in the Uruguayan Segunda División. He has also played for clubs in Spain and Argentina.

Genealogical research on the last name Letamendia

The surname Letamendia originates from the Basque Country, a region spanning parts of Spain and France, where many Basque families developed unique lineages due to their isolation. The name Letamendia is believed to be derived from two Basque words: "leta" meaning meadow or pasture and "mendi" meaning mountain, suggesting the original inhabitant lived near a pasture on a mountainous area. Variations of this surname include Leta-Mendia, Letamendy, Leta Mendi, and others, due to spelling adaptations during immigration processes. The Letamendia family is known to have settled in various regions during migrations, including Argentina, Uruguay, and the United States, where they have contributed significantly to their respective societies. Notable figures with this surname include Juan Bautista Letamendi, an Argentine politician and military leader, and Pedro Letamendi, a Uruguayan architect and urban planner.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

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 : 28 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Letafat (Last name)

surnames > letafat

The surname Letafat has its origins in France. It is believed to be derived from a place name or topographical feature, such as a former locality or a physical characteristic.

Letafat hussain (Last name)

surnames > letafat-hussain

The last name "Letafat Hussain" has origins in the Arabic and Persian languages. "Letafat" meaning elegance or refinement in Persian, and "Hussain" is a common Arabic name.

Letaief (Last name)

surnames > letaief

The surname "Letaief" is of Tunisian and Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "Al-Lateef," which means gentle, kind, or subtle. The surname may have been given to some...

Letailleur (Last name)

surnames > letailleur

The last name "Letailleur" is of French origin. It is derived from the French word "tailleur," which means a tailor in English. This surname likely originated as an occupational na...

Letap (Last name)

surnames > letap

The last name Letap is of French origin. It is a variant of the surname L'Etape, which means "the stage or step" in French. This surname may have originally been an occupational na...

Letayf (Last name)

surnames > letayf

The last name Letayf likely has Arabic origins. In Arabic, "Letayf" means gentle, kind, or pleasant. It could potentially be a surname derived from a person's character or behavior...

Letchimy (Last name)

surnames > letchimy

The surname "Letchimy" appears to have origins in the French language. In France, it is often spelled as "Letchamy." It may be a habitational name from any of several places named ...

Letecia (Last name)

surnames > letecia

The surname "Letecia" has its origin in Spain. It is derived from the given name "Leticia," which in turn comes from the Latin word "laetitia" meaning "joy" or "happiness." It is a...

Letelier (Last name)

surnames > letelier

The surname Letelier is of French origin, specifically from the region of Normandy. It is derived from a location named "Létard" or "Letard", which means "stony place" in Old Fren...

Leten (Last name)

surnames > leten

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

Letessier (Last name)

surnames > letessier

The last name Letessier is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "tessier," meaning weaver or fabric maker. It is likely an occupational surname, originally give...

Letexier (Last name)

surnames > letexier

The surname Letexier is of French origin. It is derived from a given name 'Léteur', a medieval form of 'Léonard' which means "lion-brave" or "lion-hardy". Over time, the name evo...

Lethuillier (Last name)

surnames > lethuillier

The surname Lethuillier is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French "let" meaning "meadow" and "huiller" which means "oil-maker." Over time, it could have been a nicknam...

Letizi (Last name)

surnames > letizi

The surname Letizi is of Italian origin and is believed to have derived from various sources. One possible origin is from a given name such as Laetizio or Latinius, which were Roma...

Leto (Last name)

surnames > leto

The surname Leto has its origins in various parts of Europe, with different branches tracing back to different countries and time periods. One possible origin is from the Greek nam...