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Last Name Ruiz-De-Eguino

What is the origin of the last name Ruiz-De-Eguino?

The surname "Ruiz-De-Eguino" is of Basque origin, specifically from the province of Guipuzcoa, in northern Spain. The name can be broken down into two parts: 1. "Ruiz" - This is a common Basque surname derived from the personal name Ruiz (meaning 'Richard' in English). It originates from the Latin name 'Hrodovit', which was brought to the Basque Country during the Roman occupation. 2. "De Eguino" - The suffix "de" indicates that the bearer of this surname was born, lived, or held some land in a location named Eguino. Eguino is a toponymic name derived from the Basque words 'etxe' (house) and 'egin' (place), meaning 'the place of the house'. Overall, "Ruiz-De-Eguino" means 'Richard from Eguino'. It reflects the historical tradition in Basque-speaking areas, where people often took their surnames from the places they came from or held significance for them.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ruiz-De-Eguino

The meaning and origin of the last name Ruiz-De-Eguino

The surname Ruiz-de-Eguino is a Spanish compound name, a combination of two separate surnames. "Ruiz" is an occupational name derived from the Old French 'roisse' or the Latin 'fullo', both meaning 'fuller'. Fullers were medieval artisans who cleaned and thickened woolen fabric by soaking it in water and treading it with their feet. The suffix "-de-" indicates nobility, and "Eguino" is a toponymic name, originating from a place named Eguía, located in the Basque Country of Spain. Hence, Ruiz-de-Eguino is a surname that may have been first used by someone who was a fuller (Ruiz) of noble status (de) from the region of Eguía.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ruiz-De-Eguino

The surname Ruiz-de-Eguino has its origins primarily in the Basque Country, a region located in the northern part of Spain and southwestern France. Within Spain, the highest concentration of this last name can be found in the provinces of Biscay, Gipuzkoa, and Alava, which are known for their Basque heritage. The name is also present in Navarre, a province that shares borders with the Basque Country. In France, it's most commonly found in the southwestern region of Labourd. Additionally, due to historical migration patterns, some individuals carrying the surname Ruiz-de-Eguino can be found in other parts of Spain, particularly Madrid, and in various countries with significant Spanish or Basque expatriate communities, such as Argentina, Mexico, Cuba, and the United States.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ruiz-De-Eguino

The surname Ruiz-de-Eguino possesses various spellings and slight variations. Here are some of them:

1. Ruiz de Eguino - This is the most common spelling, with "de" being a preposition that means "of" or "from" in Spanish, indicating that the individual comes from the location named Eguino.
2. Ruiz de Egüino - Some people may spell Eguino as Egüino, especially when using the diacritic mark "ü" to represent the sound similar to the English "u".
3. Ruiz Eguino - In some cases, it is possible that the "de" has been dropped or omitted from the surname. This can happen due to assimilation or simplification over time.
4. Ruiz Egüinon - The addition of an "on" or "ón" at the end of the surname is rare but not unheard of, and it may signify a geographical location in the Basque Country.
5. Ruiz y Eguino - In some Spanish-speaking regions, especially in Latin America, the use of "y" (meaning "and") before the second element of a compound surname is common. So, Ruiz y Eguino would be another variation of this surname.

Famous people with the last name Ruiz-De-Eguino

Notable individuals sharing the last name Ruiz-de-Eguino include:

1. Francisco de Ruiz de Eguía y Salazar (1738–1794): A Spanish colonial officer and explorer, who served as the Governor of Santa Fe de Nuevo México from 1769 to 1772. His tenure was marked by a conflict with Native American tribes, including the Comanches.

2. Pedro Ruiz de la Palma (1528–1594): A Spanish conquistador who participated in the conquest of Peru under Francisco Pizarro. He also played a key role in the defense of Lima against the Inca rebellion led by Manco Inca Yupanqui.

3. José Ruiz de Apodaca (1765–1827): A Spanish military officer and statesman, who served as the Viceroy of New Spain from 1804 to 1808. During his term, he tried to mediate between Creoles and Peninsulares in Mexico, but was forced to resign due to the Napoleonic invasion of Spain.

These figures reflect the historical influence and prominence of individuals with the Ruiz-de-Eguino surname, particularly in colonial Spanish America.

Genealogical research on the last name Ruiz-De-Eguino

The Ruiz-De-Eguino surname originates from the Basque region of Spain and is composed of two distinct parts: Ruiz, which is a common Basque name, and De-Eguino, which translates to "of Eguino." Eguino is believed to be a place name derived from 'egun' meaning 'day' and 'ona' meaning 'stone' or 'hill.'

Historically, the Ruiz family resided in the province of Guipuzcoa, where they were prominent members of the community. The earliest known record of the Ruiz-De-Eguino lineage dates back to the 13th century, with Pedro Ruiz de Eguino mentioned in church records. The family is thought to have been nobility due to their land ownership and involvement in local politics during this period. Over time, members of the Ruiz-De-Eguino family immigrated to other regions within Spain and beyond, establishing new lineages and contributing to diverse cultural landscapes. Today, descendants of the original Ruiz-De-Eguino family can be found across Europe, the Americas, and beyond, maintaining their unique heritage while adapting to new environments.

Last name distribution maps

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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 : 13 June 2025

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