NomOrigine Background

Last Name Recarte

What is the origin of the last name Recarte?

The surname "Recarte" is a Spanish and Portuguese patronymic surname derived from the given name "Rodrigo," which comes from the Visigothic "Rodiger," composed of the elements "hrod" meaning "fame, glory" and "-iger" meaning "spear-fighter." The surname evolved through various forms such as Recart, Recarta, and Recartes in different regions over time.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Recarte

The meaning and origin of the last name Recarte

The surname Recarte is primarily found in Portugal and Spain, with origins traceable to the Iberian Peninsula. The name derives from the Old Portuguese word "recarte," which means "to carve" or "sculpt." This surname may have been originally occupational, referring to a craftsman who specialized in woodcarving or stone sculpting. Over time, as family lineages were formed and migration occurred, variations of the name emerged such as Recartes, De Recarte, and others. The name Recarte is an intriguing example of how professions and trades could influence the formation of surnames in medieval Europe.

Geographical distribution of the last name Recarte

The surname Recarte is primarily concentrated in Portugal and Brazil, due to historical reasons related to migration patterns. In Portugal, it is most prevalent in the northern regions, particularly in the districts of Vila Real, Braga, and Porto, suggesting origins possibly linked to these areas. In Brazil, the name is commonly found in the state of São Paulo, which has a significant Portuguese immigrant population from the 19th and early 20th centuries. It's also found in other South American countries with large Portuguese-descended populations, such as Argentina and Uruguay, although less frequently compared to Portugal and Brazil. The name's distribution elsewhere globally is relatively minimal.

Variants and spellings of the last name Recarte

The surname Recarte has several variations and spellings, reflecting differences in regional pronunciation and transcription over time. Some common variants include Recart, Recarth, Rekarte, Reckart, Reccard, Reccarte, and Rekkert. These variations may have arisen due to factors such as linguistic evolution, errors in recording or transcribing names, or cultural influences from different countries. Despite these differences, all of these surnames share the same root, which is believed to be derived from the Breton word "rek'h" meaning 'right.'

Famous people with the last name Recarte

Notable individuals with the surname Recarte include:

1. José Recarte (1946-2017), a Spanish football goalkeeper who played for Athletic Bilbao and the Spain national team, winning two European Cups and a World Cup.

2. Carlos Recarte (born 1964), a Spanish former professional road bicycle racer, who won stages in the Vuelta a España, Giro d'Italia, and Tour de France during his career.

3. Eduardo Recarte (born 1973), a Spanish former football player who spent the majority of his career at Real Sociedad, where he played as a defender. He also represented the Spain national team in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

4. María Jesús "Maju" Recarte (born 1981), a Spanish actress and television presenter, best known for her work on various television series such as "Amar en tiempos revueltos" and "La que se avecina".

Genealogical research on the last name Recarte

The surname Recarte is primarily found in Portugal and its origin is believed to be from the city of Coimbra. The name is derived from the occupation of a miller or someone who worked at a flour mill, as "moinho" means mill in Portuguese. In the 15th century, during the Age of Discoveries, many Recartes emigrated to Brazil due to economic and religious reasons. Some prominent figures with this surname include João de Recarte, a Portuguese Jesuit missionary who was among the first European settlers in Brazil, and Manuel Recarte, a 17th-century Portuguese priest and scholar. The Recarte family is also known for their contributions to the arts, particularly in music and literature, throughout Portuguese history. Today, the Recarte family can be found worldwide with significant populations in Portugal, Brazil, and other countries with Portuguese descent.

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

Recafort (Last name)

surnames > recafort

The last name "Recafort" is of Spanish origin. It is believed to be derived from the Spanish word "recio," meaning "strong" or "tough," and "fort," which is likely a variation of t...

Recalcati (Last name)

surnames > recalcati

The surname Recalcati is an Italian patronymic surname derived from the given name Ricalzo or Ricaltus, which means "little ruler" in Latin. This name was brought to Italy during t...

Recalde (Last name)

surnames > recalde

The surname Recalde is of Basque origin, specifically from the province of Guipuzcoa in the Basque Country, a region located in northern Spain and southwestern France. The name Rec...

Recalde-tajonar (Last name)

surnames > recalde-tajonar

The surname Recalde-Tajonar is a composite surname, formed by combining two separate surnames, Recalde and Tajonar. The origin of the surname Recalde can be traced back to the Bas...

Recana (Last name)

surnames > recana

The last name "Recana" appears to have Spanish origins. It is possible that it is derived from a Spanish word or place name, but without more specific information, it is difficult ...

Recańa (Last name)

surnames > reca-a

The last name "Recaa" is of Spanish origin. It is a surname that is believed to have originated from the region of Spain.

Recanatini (Last name)

surnames > recanatini

The last name "Recanatini" is of Italian origin, specifically from the town of Recanati in the Marche region of Italy. It is a locational surname derived from the name of the town ...

Recapente (Last name)

surnames > recapente

The surname Recapente has its origin in Italy. It is believed to be of Italian linguistic and toponymic origin, derived from the word "capo" which means chief or leader. The suffix...

Recard (Last name)

surnames > recard

The surname Recard is of French origin. It is derived from the personal name Ricard, which is the French form of the name Richard. This surname ultimately comes from the Germanic n...

Recchia (Last name)

surnames > recchia

The surname Recchia is an Italian patronymic surname derived from the given name Ricciardo (Richard), which has Germanic origins. Richard is composed of the elements "ric" meaning ...

Rech (Last name)

surnames > rech

The last name "Rech" has multiple possible origins. 1. German: In Germany, "Rech" is derived from the Middle High German word "reche," meaning "judge" or "ruler." It was likely or...

Rechberger (Last name)

surnames > rechberger

The last name "Rechberger" is of German origin, and it is derived from the combination of the Germanic personal name "Regin" and the occupational suffix "-berger", meaning "mountai...

Recher (Last name)

surnames > recher

The surname Recher is of French origin. It is derived from various place names in France, such as "Récherey" and "Recherches", which come from the Old French word "recerre" meanin...

Rechkemmer (Last name)

surnames > rechkemmer

The surname Rechkemmer is of German origin. It is derived from a place name or an occupational name for someone who lived near or came from a place called Reckemer, which could be ...

Rechsteiner (Last name)

surnames > rechsteiner

The surname Rechsteiner is believed to have German origins. It derives from a place name, specifically a farmstead located near Stein in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland. The name...