The surname Sotelo is of Spanish origin and is derived from a place name or a nickname. The term "Sotelo" means "from the shallow soil" or "of the arable land," referring to an area with less-fertile, shallow soil as opposed to a mountainous region. This surname can be traced back to medieval Spain and is commonly found in regions like Castile and Galicia. However, it's important to note that surnames often have multiple origins and variations, so further research may provide more specific details about the origin of a particular Sotelo family line.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Sotelo
The meaning and origin of the last name Sotelo
The surname Sotelo is of Spanish origin, derived from a place name or a topographical feature. It is believed to have originated from the town of Sotelo de la Ribera in the province of Ávila, Spain, which was named after the river Sotelo. The river's name is thought to be derived from the Latin 'Satalia', meaning 'boundary river'. Over time, residents of this area began using the surname as a way of identifying themselves and their descendants. This surname later spread throughout Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries due to immigration and colonization. Today, Sotelo is a common surname among Hispanic populations worldwide.
Geographical distribution of the last name Sotelo
The surname Sotelo has its origins primarily in Spain and Portugal. In Spain, it is most prevalent in the regions of Castile-Leon, Madrid, Galicia, and Navarra. In Portugal, it can be found mainly in the North and Centre regions, particularly around Porto and Coimbra. The name also appears with some frequency in Latin America, particularly in Mexico, where it is one of the most common surnames due to Spanish influence. In the United States, a significant number of individuals with the last name Sotelo have origins in Mexico, with high concentrations in states such as California, Texas, and Florida. The name can also be found in other parts of the Americas, including Central America and South America, reflecting the dispersal of Spanish speakers over centuries.
Variants and spellings of the last name Sotelo
The surname Sotelo has several variations and spelling alternatives, primarily due to differences in regional pronunciation and translation over time. Some common variants of the name Sotelo include:
* de Sotelo
* Sotela
* de Soto Lopez (or Soto Lopez)
* de Soto y Lopez (or Soto y Lopez)
* de la Sota
* Sotas
* de los Sotos
* Los Soto
* Sotolongo
* Sotomayor
* del Soto
* del Soto y Gama
* del Soto y Vázquez
* Sotoalba
* Sotobello
* Sotochorro
* Sotodarcos
* Sotogrande
* Sotosantos
* de Sotomayor
These variations may stem from changes in the original spelling over time, or from different regional pronunciations and translations. It is not uncommon for Spanish surnames to have multiple spellings due to these factors.
Famous people with the last name Sotelo
Notable individuals with the surname Sotelo include:
1. Manuel Sotelo y Gondra (1738-1809), a Spanish general and politician who served as Prime Minister of Spain during the Napoleonic Wars.
2. José Sotero Sánchez de Sotelo y Páramo (1854-1936), a Spanish military officer and politician who was Prime Minister of Spain from 1930 to 1931, leading a short but significant period known as the Dictatorship of General Berenguer.
3. Miguel Sotelo y Garca (born 1954), a Mexican Roman Catholic cardinal who served as Archbishop of Guadalajara from 2007 to 2020.
4. Alejandro Sotelo (born 1986), a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers.
5. Carlos Soto (born Carlos Sotelo, 1920-2013), a Cuban American pianist known for his interpretation of Afro-Cuban music.
These figures have made significant contributions in various fields such as politics, religion, and sports, demonstrating the versatility of the surname Sotelo.
Genealogical research on the last name Sotelo
The Sotelo surname is of Spanish origin, derived from the occupation 'coto', meaning a fenced area or enclosure, and 'el', the definite article. The family name Sotelo has roots dating back to medieval Spain, with records tracing its origins to the 10th century during the reigns of King Ramiro II and Sancho III. The first recorded spelling of the surname Sotelo was in the Castilian Manuscripts of the 10th and 11th centuries. From Spain, the family migrated to other countries such as Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines during the Spanish colonization period. In present times, the Sotelo name is prevalent across Spain, South America, and the United States, reflecting its rich history and global dispersal. Notable individuals with the surname Sotelo include Juan Sotelo, a Mexican revolutionary leader, and Juan Jose Sotelo y Gama, a prominent Spanish military officer during the Peninsular War against Napoleon Bonaparte.
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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