NomOrigine Background

Last Name Ruzo

What is the origin of the last name Ruzo?

The last name "Ruzo" is of Italian and Spanish origin. It is derived from the place names Ruozo in Italy (Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol) and Ruzo in Spain (Aragon region). These placenames are believed to be derived from a personal name, possibly Germanic or Visigothic in origin, such as "Ruodger" or "Rugo". The surname was likely acquired by individuals who lived in these places or by those who migrated from them.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ruzo

The meaning and origin of the last name Ruzo

The surname Ruzo is of Spanish origin, derived from various place names across Spain that bear this designation. One such location is "Ruz" in the Province of León, which means "rough land," reflecting its geographical features. Another possible source could be the village of Ruiz, located in the provinces of Toledo and Madrid, named after the ancient Roman settlement of Ruitia. The surname Ruzo may have also originated from the Occitan word "ruz," meaning "fox." Over time, as families migrated or assimilated into new cultures, variations of the name emerged, such as Ruiz, Ruzo, and others. Today, individuals bearing this name can be found globally, reflecting the historical diaspora from Spain.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ruzo

The last name Ruzo is predominantly found in South America, particularly in Ecuador and Peru, which are the countries with the highest concentration of individuals bearing this surname. In Ecuador, it is most frequent in the provinces of Guayas, Pichincha, and Manabí, while in Peru, it is commonest in Lima, La Libertad, and Ancash regions. The name also appears with some frequency in Colombia, especially in the departments of Valle del Cauca and Antioquia. In addition, a smaller number of Ruzo families can be found in other parts of South America, as well as in Spain, where the surname originates.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ruzo

The surname Ruzo has various spellings and variations across different regions and cultures. Some common spelling variants include Ruizo, Ruiço, Ruzzu, Ruzzó, and Ruzzo. These variations may result from regional dialects, transcription errors, or the influence of other languages. For example, the Spanish variant is "Ruiz" but when transcribed into English, it can appear as "Ruzo". The Italian variant, on the other hand, is "Ruzzò", but in some cases, it might be anglicized to "Ruzzo". Similarly, Ruiço is a Portuguese variant of the name. It's essential to remember that each family may have its unique spelling based on their history and cultural influences.

Famous people with the last name Ruzo

Notable individuals with the surname Ruzo include:

1. Santiago Ruzo (born 1968), an Ecuadorian astronomer who is a Staff Scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and has contributed to several space missions, including Kepler and Spitzer.

2. Pablo Ruzo (born 1970), a Spanish footballer who played as a midfielder for various clubs in Spain, France, and Portugal throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.

3. Ana Maria Ruso (born 1954), an Argentine artist known for her paintings, installations, and performances that explore themes of identity, memory, and migration.

4. Carlos Ruzo, a Peruvian anthropologist and archaeologist specializing in the study of pre-Columbian Andean civilizations, with a focus on textiles and weaving techniques.

5. Miguel de Ruzafa y Anglesola (1738–1799), a Spanish military engineer who contributed to the defense and fortification of Manila during the Spanish period in the Philippines.

Genealogical research on the last name Ruzo

The surname Ruzo originates from the Iberian Peninsula and is primarily found among the Spanish population. Variations of this name include Ruiz, Rúa, or Rufo. It is derived from the Latin "Rufus," meaning red-haired or ruddy-complexioned. The first recorded spelling of the name was in medieval Spain, with early notable bearers including Diego Ruiz de la Torre (14th century), a renowned knight during the Reconquista era, and Francisco Ruiz Gálvez (1530-1609), a Spanish conquistador who participated in the conquest of Peru. The family tree branches out extensively across Spain and Latin America due to historical events such as the Spanish colonization and migration. In modern times, Ruzo is also found among Sephardic Jewish families who were forced to convert or flee during the Inquisition period.

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 : 13 June 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

Ruz (Last name)

surnames > ruz

The surname "Ruz" has multiple possible origins due to its widespread usage across different cultures. 1. Spanish and Portuguese: In these languages, "ruz" means red-haired or fre...

Ruzakhunov (Last name)

surnames > ruzakhunov

The last name Ruzakhunov is of Uzbek origin. It is derived from the combination of the elements "Ruz" meaning "light" or "day" and "Khun" meaning "blood" or "kin."

Ruziboeva (Last name)

surnames > ruziboeva

The surname Ruziboeva is of Tajik origin. It is derived from the personal name Ruziboy, which means "bright" or "shining," combined with the Persian suffix -ova, meaning "descendan...

Ruzieva (Last name)

surnames > ruzieva

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

Ruzimatova (Last name)

surnames > ruzimatova

The last name Ruzimatova is of Uzbek origin. It is derived from the given name Ruzi, which means "day" or "light" in Uzbek, and the suffix -tova, which is a common surname ending i...

Ruzitska (Last name)

surnames > ruzitska

The last name "Ruzitska" is of Czech origin. It is derived from the Czech word "ruzicka," which means "rose." This surname likely originally referred to a person who lived near or ...

Ruzzah (Last name)

surnames > ruzzah

The last name "Ruzzah" has its origin in Italy. It is derived from the Italian word "rozza," which means "rough" or "coarse." The last name may have originated as a nickname for so...

Ruzzel (Last name)

surnames > ruzzel

The last name "Ruzzel" is of English origin and is derived from the medieval given name Rousel, which itself is of Norman French origin.

Ruzzon (Last name)

surnames > ruzzon

The surname "Ruzzon" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "rozzo," meaning rough or coarse. It is likely to have originated as a nickname for someone who was p...