The surname Riquelme is of Spanish origin. It is derived from a medieval occupational name for someone who was a squire or page in service to a knight, derived from the Old French word "ecuyer," meaning "horseman" or "knight." In some cases, it may also be a topographic name for someone who lived near a place where horses were kept, derived from the Old French words "riche" (rich) and "leyme" (pasture), thus meaning "rich pasture for horses." The surname Riquelme is most common in Spain and Latin America.
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The meaning and origin of the last name Riquelme
The surname Riquelme is of Spanish origin and has roots in Old Catalan and Old Occitan. It is derived from the name Ricelm, which was a personal name popular in the Middle Ages. The name Richelm is composed of two parts: 'ric,' meaning powerful or ruler, and 'helm,' meaning helmet or protection. As a surname, Riquelme evolved over time to reflect the region's linguistic changes. It became Riquelm in Old Catalan and later Riquelme in Castilian Spanish. The name is notably associated with Carlos Tevez, a professional footballer of Argentine descent, whose family traces its roots to Spain.
Geographical distribution of the last name Riquelme
The last name Riquelme is primarily found in Spanish-speaking countries, particularly Argentina and Spain. In Argentina, it is one of the most common surnames in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and Santa Fe. The surname also has a significant presence in Spain, especially in Castile and León, Galicia, and Valencia. Additionally, there are Riquelme families in other Spanish-speaking countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Chile due to historical migration patterns. The last name Riquelme is less common but can also be found in Portugal, where it may have been introduced through Iberian colonialism or immigration from Spain. Outside of these areas, the name is relatively rare.
Variants and spellings of the last name Riquelme
The surname Riquelme has various spelling variations due to differences in transliteration, transcription errors, and regional dialects over time. Some common variants include Richelmy, Rickelmy, Richelyme, Richalmay, Riklmay, Rykellmey, Rikelmei, Riquelmée, Riquelmai, Riquelmoy, Riquelmay, and Riquelmie. These variations may be found in different parts of the world, particularly among descendants from Spain, where the name originates. The root word "Riquel" can be traced back to medieval Occitan, meaning 'powerful ruler', and the addition of suffixes like "-mey", "-may", "-moy", "-my", etc., are common in French and German adaptations.
Famous people with the last name Riquelme
Juan Roman Riquelme and Gonzalo Riquelme are among the most renowned individuals with the surname Riquelme. Juan Roman Riquelme, often referred to as El Flaco (The Skinny One), is an Argentine retired professional footballer who played as a central midfielder. He is best known for his time at Boca Juniors and Barcelona, as well as his appearances for the Argentina national team. Gonzalo Riquelme, on the other hand, is a Chilean politician and former professional footballer. He played as a forward and was part of several Chilean clubs, including Colo-Colo, Universidad de Chile, and Deportes La Serena. After retiring from football, he entered politics and has served in various roles within the Chilean government. Both individuals have left significant impacts on their respective fields.
Genealogical research on the last name Riquelme
The surname Riquelme originates from Spain and is primarily associated with the region of Aragon. It is a variant of Ricart or Ricardo, derived from the Visigothic personal name Richared, meaning "brave ruler."
In Spain, the Riquelme family can be traced back to the 10th century, with early records showing the presence of individuals bearing this name in the Kingdom of Aragon. The family played significant roles throughout history, particularly during the Middle Ages and the Spanish Renaissance. Notable members include Gonzalo de Riquelme, a knight who fought in the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, and Francisco Riquelme, a painter active in the 17th century.
The surname spread to other parts of Europe due to migration, notably in Portugal where it is spelled Ribeiro (meaning 'river bank'), and in Latin America, particularly Argentina and Spain, as a result of colonial expansion. In these regions, the Riquelme family has also made notable contributions, with figures like Javier Riquelme, a former Argentine footballer, and Juan Antonio Riquelme, a Spanish lawyer and politician.
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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