Last Name Uranga

The surname Uranga has Basque origins and is derived from the place names Urbanga and Zurbina in the Basque Country, located in the northern part of Spain and southwestern France. It belongs to the category of topographic surnames, which are names that originally referred to a geographical location or physical feature, such as a hill, river, or valley. In this case, Uranga is thought to be derived from the Basque word "urte" meaning oak and "anga" meaning meadow or bank, indicating a location with many oak trees.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Uranga

The meaning and origin of the last name Uranga

The surname Uranga is of Basque origin, hailing from the northern region of Spain. It is derived from various place names in the Basque Country, most notably the town of Uranga located near San Sebastián. In Basque, "ur" means "water" and "anga" means "estuary," suggesting that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a body of water with an estuary-like feature. Throughout history, several notable figures bearing this surname have emerged in various fields, reflecting its wide distribution among Basque communities both within Spain and in other parts of the world where Basques have migrated.

Geographical distribution of the last name Uranga

The surname Uranga has its roots in the Basque region of Spain, particularly in the provinces of Gipuzkoa and Biscay, where it is most prevalent due to historical migration patterns within the Basque Country. Over time, people with the last name Uranga have dispersed globally as a result of emigration, mainly to other Spanish-speaking countries like Argentina, Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela, and the United States. In Argentina, the surname is particularly common in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Tucumán due to Basque migration during the 19th century. In the U.S., it can be found predominantly in California, Texas, and other states with significant Spanish-speaking populations. The name has also appeared in countries like France, Australia, and Canada as a result of global mobility over the past few centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Uranga

The surname Uranga has various spellings and variations, primarily due to differences in transcription and translation over time and across regions. Here are some common forms:

1. Uranga - The most common form of this Basque surname, which originates from the town of Urango in the province of Guipuzcoa, Spain.
2. Urangia - A less common variant with an added 'a' at the end, which may have been introduced due to spelling variations or misinterpretations over time.
3. Orangia, Ourangia - Variants that may have arisen from phonetic misunderstandings or errors in transcription.
4. Orongia, Urrangia - These forms could be the result of dialectal differences within the Basque language or misspellings over time.
5. Urangoa, Urangoa - Variations that may have been created by adding an 'o' after the 'n' to conform to certain naming conventions.
6. Oyanguren - A Basque surname with a similar root as Uranga but different origin. It comes from the town of Oiartzun, also in Guipuzcoa. Over time, it may have been confused with or mistaken for Uranga due to their phonetic and regional similarities.
7. Uhrangue - An English spelling variation of Uranga, which could be used by individuals who immigrated from Basque-speaking regions and adopted the English language.
8. Urganga - A potential misspelling or typing error in the surname Uranga.

Famous people with the last name Uranga

Notable individuals with the surname Uranga include:

1. Amaia Salamanca Uraga (born 1986), a Spanish actress best known for her roles in television series such as "Gran Hotel" and "Velvet".

2. Juan José Uranga (1950-2014), a Mexican actor who appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including "El Chavo del Ocho" and "El Chapulín Colorado".

3. José María Uraga (born 1987), a Spanish retired footballer who played for teams like Deportivo La Coruña and Real Betis.

4. Santiago Uranga (1865-1920), an Argentine physician, writer, and journalist who was one of the founders of the Argentine Radical Civic Union.

5. Xabier Uranga (born 1974), a Basque professional road bicycle racer who competed as a professional from 1998 to 2013.

Genealogical research on the last name Uranga

The surname Uranga originates from the Basque region, specifically in the provinces of Guipuzcoa and Bizkaia, in Spain. Historically, it is believed to be associated with the town of Urango in Guipuzcoa, where many families bearing this name resided. The Urangues were lords of Urango during the Middle Ages. Over time, the spelling has evolved slightly, appearing as Uranga, Ourango, and Ourranguia in different historical documents. Notable individuals with the surname include Basque philologist Koldo Mitxelena Uranga, politician Francisco Javier Uranga Goiriañez, and musician Mikel Laboa Uranga. The Urangues have also migrated to other countries, such as Argentina, Mexico, and the United States, carrying their ancestral name with them.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Uranga"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

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 : 28 July 2025

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