NomOrigine Background

Last Name Penanguer

What is the origin of the last name Penanguer?

The surname Penaguerrero (or Penaguer) has origins in Spain, specifically the region of Galicia. It is derived from a place name, likely from the village of Penagos or Penadovellas in the province of Lugo, Galicia. In these places, the name refers to a small peninsula or a hill surrounded by water. Surnames originating from place names were common in Spain during the late Middle Ages as part of the process of repopulation after the Reconquista. The spelling variations Penaguerrero and Penaguer are likely due to differences in regional pronunciation and transcription over time.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Penanguer

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 Penanguer

The meaning and origin of the last name Penanguer

The surname Penanguer is of Spanish origin and is derived from the occupational name "penar" which means "penance" or "punishment," and "guerrero" meaning "warrior." Historically, this name was given to someone who had been punished for a crime but later became a warrior. Alternatively, it could also have originated as a nickname for a particularly severe or penitent individual. The name Penanguer first appeared in the 13th century and is most commonly found in Spain, especially in the region of Galicia. Over time, variations in spelling such as Penaguer, Penaguyar, Penaver, and Penavera have arisen due to the vagaries of medieval transcription.

Geographical distribution of the last name Penanguer

The Penaguera surname has its origins in the Basque Country, specifically in the province of Biscay, Spain. Historically, it is concentrated in the regions of Bilbao and Gernika-Lumo, with a significant portion of bearers residing in these areas. Over time, the migration of Penaguera descendants has extended to other parts of Spain, such as Madrid, Catalonia, and Valencia. Outside of Spain, a notable number of Penagueras can be found in South America, particularly in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Peru due to historical migratory waves from Spain. In the United States, the surname is mainly represented in California, Texas, Florida, and New York, mirroring the overall trend of Basque immigrants settling in these states during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Penanguer

The surname Penanguer has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Here are some possible variants:

1. Penanguer - This is the most common variation, with "ng" replacing the original "ñ" sound in Spanish.
2. Penanquer - Another form of the name, where the "ñ" is replaced by "n."
3. Penangueiro - A Portuguese variation that denotes a person from Penanguer or related places.
4. Penanger - An English spelling variant, though less common.
5. Penagüero - A slightly modified Spanish form of the name, with an added accent on the "u."
6. Pennangueiro - A variation in Portuguese that includes an extra letter "n" at the beginning.
7. Penañguer - The original Spanish spelling, featuring the "ñ" character, which represents the sound [ɲ].
8. Penanghuer - An alternative spelling with a different arrangement of letters to maintain phonetic similarity.

Famous people with the last name Penanguer

The Penaguers are a notable family with diverse accomplishments across various fields. One prominent member is Jose Antonio Penaguer (born 1953), a Mexican tennis player who reached a career-high world number eight singles ranking and won two Grand Slam doubles titles. In the realm of politics, Juan Gabriel Penaguer (born 1960) served as the Argentine Ambassador to Spain from 2016 to 2020. In the art world, Maria Penaguer (born 1947), a Spanish sculptor, is renowned for her abstract works often inspired by nature and human forms. Additionally, Francisco Penaguer (1853-1932) was a Mexican jurist who served as the country's Minister of Justice and Minister of Foreign Affairs in the early 20th century. These individuals exemplify the diverse talents and achievements within the Penaguers family lineage.

Genealogical research on the last name Penanguer

The Penanguer surname is of Basque origin, originating from the region spanning southern France and northern Spain. One of the earliest records of the name can be traced back to the 14th century in the Spanish province of Navarre. Over time, variations such as Penaguerra, Penaguerre, and Penaguera emerged due to spelling discrepancies during different historical periods.

During the Spanish Inquisition, many Basque families, including those bearing the Penanguer name, were subjected to forced relocation, contributing to its dispersal across various regions in Spain and South America. One of the notable branches migrated to Argentina in the 18th century, where descendants still carry the name today.

Another lineage of the Penanguer family is found in Mexico, with records indicating that they arrived during the colonial period. Some members of this branch moved to California in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a result of the Mexican-American War.

Today, the Penanguer surname is predominantly found in Spain, Argentina, Mexico, and the United States, with a smaller presence in other countries such as France, Canada, and Australia due to historical migrations.

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 : 25 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

Pena (Last name)

surnames > pena

The last name 'Pena' has its origins in the Spanish and Portuguese languages. It is derived from the word "peña" in Spanish, or "penha" in Portuguese, which translates to "rock" o...

Peña palacio (Last name)

surnames > pena-palacio

The last name "Pena Palacio" originates from Spain. "Pena" is a Spanish surname meaning "rock" or "cliff", while "Palacio" means "palace" in Spanish.

Pena querol (Last name)

surnames > pena-querol

The surname "Pena Querol" has Spanish origins. "Pena" is a common surname in Spain, derived from the word for "rocky hill" or "cliff." "Querol" is also a Spanish surname, likely de...

Penabayre (Last name)

surnames > penabayre

The surname Penabayre is believed to have origins in the Basque region of Spain and France. The name can be traced back to the medieval period and is derived from the place name "P...

Peñada (Last name)

surnames > penada

The surname "Penada" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Spanish word "peña," meaning "rock" or "cliff." This surname likely originated as a toponymic name for someone wh...

Penadtaray (Last name)

surnames > penadtaray

The last name Penadtaray does not appear to have a clear origin or meaning in English. It does not correspond to any known surnames or words in the English language.

Peñagaricano (Last name)

surnames > penagaricano

The surname Peñagaricano is of Spanish origin. It is a toponymic surname derived from places named Peñagaricana or Peñagaricano, which are mainly located in the Basque Country a...

Penagos (Last name)

surnames > penagos

The surname Penagos is of Spanish origin. It is derived from a place name, which could be any one of several locations in Spain that have the name "Penagos" in their official desig...

Penaherrera (Last name)

surnames > penaherrera

The surname Penaherrera is of Spanish origin. It is a compound surname derived from two separate words: "Pena" which means rock or pebble in Spanish, and "Herrera," meaning smith o...

Peñalba (Last name)

surnames > penalba

The surname Peñalba is of Spanish origin. It derives from a place name, specifically from a location named "Peña de Loba" or "La Peña de la Loba," which translates to "The Rock ...

Penalber (Last name)

surnames > penalber

The surname Penalber is of Spanish origin. It is believed to be locational, deriving from a place called Penab or Penah, which is likely to have been a village or town in medieval ...

Penalver (Last name)

surnames > penalver

The last name Penalver is of Spanish origin. It is a combination of the words "pena," meaning "punishment" or "sorrow," and "alver," which is a term used in medieval Spain to refer...

Penalver-martinez (Last name)

surnames > penalver-martinez

The surname Penalver-Martinez is a composite Spanish patronymic and toponymic surname. The root "Penalver" originates from a location named Penalver in Spain. It's believed that t...

Peñalvo (Last name)

surnames > penalvo

The surname Peñalvo is of Spanish origin. It is derived from a place-name, specifically from a location called "Peñalba" or "Peñalobos," found in several provinces of Spain, suc...

Penamayor (Last name)

surnames > penamayor

The last name "Penamayor" originates from Spain and is of Spanish descent. It is derived from the words "pena", meaning rocky peak, and "mayor", meaning larger or greater. This sur...