
The surname Soto is a common Spanish and Portuguese patronymic surname, derived from the male given name "Sotó" or "Soto," which is a variant of the name "Suárez." It is ultimately derived from the Latin personal name Suarius, which was used throughout the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. The name Suarius is thought to be derived from the Latin word "suarere," meaning "to sweat" or "to be sour," reflecting a byname for someone who had a particular physical characteristic or temperament associated with sweating or being sour. Over time, the surname Soto became widespread in regions of Spain and Portugal, where it remains a common surname today. It is also found among Hispanic and Latino populations in other parts of the world as a result of migration and colonization.
The surname Soto is of Spanish origin, derived from the Latin word "suburbium," which means "village outside the city." It was initially used to identify inhabitants living on the outskirts of medieval towns or cities during the Middle Ages in Iberia (present-day Spain and Portugal). The term eventually evolved into various regional forms, including Soto, De la Sota, Del Soto, and others. Today, it is a common surname not only in the Spanish-speaking world but also among Hispanic communities globally, as well as in some Portuguese-speaking regions due to historical ties between Spain and Portugal. In terms of distribution, individuals with the last name Soto can be found predominantly in Spain, Mexico, the United States, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and other Latin American countries.
The last name Soto is primarily distributed across various regions in Spain, particularly in Castile-Leon and Andalusia, reflecting its historical roots in those areas. A significant number of individuals with this surname can also be found in the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. Outside of Spain, the last name Soto is prevalent in Latin America, particularly in Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and Puerto Rico, due to Spanish colonization and immigration. In the United States, a large number of individuals with the surname Soto reside in California, Texas, Florida, and New York, reflecting historical patterns of Mexican immigration. Additionally, the last name Soto can be found in smaller numbers across Central and South America, as well as other parts of the world where Spanish-speaking immigrants have settled.
The surname Soto has various spellings and variations due to differences in pronunciation and local dialects across geographical regions. Some common spelling variations include: Soto, Souto, de Soto, Del Soto, Desoto, DeSoto, D'Soto, and Da Soto, among others. The name originated from the Iberian Peninsula in Spain and Portugal and was brought to the New World by explorers and settlers. It is most prevalent in Latin America, but can also be found in other regions due to migration. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and Colombian soccer player James Rodríguez.
Notable individuals sharing the surname Soto include:
1. Carlos Roberto Soto (b. 1962), a retired professional baseball player who played for multiple teams in Major League Baseball from 1983 to 2001, including the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers. He won a World Series championship with the Cardinals in 1982.
2. José Soto (b. 1967), a Dominican-American professional baseball coach and former infielder who played for various MLB teams between 1990 and 2003. He currently serves as manager of the San Francisco Giants.
3. Jorge Soto (b. 1984), a Honduran footballer who has represented his national team since 2006 and played for various clubs across Europe, most notably Valencia CF in Spain.
4. Rodolfo Soto (b. 1983), a Venezuelan professional baseball player who has played in the MLB as a utility infielder for teams such as the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
5. Juan Soto (b. 1998), a Dominican-American professional baseball outfielder for the Washington Nationals in the MLB. He made his debut at the age of 19 and was selected to the All-Star Game in his rookie season, leading to Rookie of the Year honors.
6. Jorge Soto (b. 1997), a Mexican professional boxer who held the WBC interim super featherweight title from 2018 to 2019 and has faced notable opponents like Tevin Farmer, Francisco Vargas, and Masayoshi Nakatani.
These prominent figures demonstrate the diverse careers and accomplishments of individuals with the surname Soto in various fields, including sports and entertainment.
The surname Soto originates from the Iberian Peninsula, specifically Spain and Portugal, where it is believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages. In Spanish, "Soto" translates to 'small village' or 'forest clearing', reflecting its probable rural origins. This name was brought to the Americas by Spanish colonizers in the 16th century, particularly during the conquest of Mexico and Peru, where it became common among the populations of mixed Native American and European descent. Today, the Soto surname is prevalent in Spain, Portugal, Mexico, and other Latin American countries, with notable figures including Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés, a Spanish historian and chronicler who first used the term "America" to describe the New World. The distribution of the Soto name also reflects the historical movement of people from Spain to the Americas.
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