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Last Name Urbieta

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What is the origin of the last name Urbieta?

The surname Urbieta has its origins in the Basque region of Spain and parts of southern France. The name is derived from various place names that have "urbez" or "urbieta" as a component, indicating a settlement associated with a fortified town or castle. Examples of such places include Urbieta in the Basque province of Guipuzcoa and Urbasa in Navarra. The surname's spelling may vary due to the influence of other languages over time.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Urbieta

The meaning and origin of the last name Urbieta

The surname Urbieta is of Basque origin, originally derived from the place name Urbetia located in the province of Álava, Spain. The name is believed to have its roots in pre-Roman times and means "new settlement" or "new town", a reference to its location as a relatively new establishment compared to surrounding areas. Over time, the name has been spelled variously as Orbieta, Orbetia, Urbiata, and Urbieta, reflecting the phonetic variations that occurred during migration and assimilation of Basque families. The surname Urbieta is now prevalent not only in the Basque Country but also among Basque diaspora communities around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Urbieta

The surname Urbieta is predominantly found in Spain and Mexico, with significant concentrations in both countries. In Spain, it originates from the Basque Country, Navarra, and Aragon regions, particularly around the cities of Pamplona, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and Zaragoza. The name also has a strong presence in Mexico, where it is believed to have been brought by Spanish colonizers. In Mexico City, State of Mexico, Puebla, Guanajuato, Jalisco, and Veracruz, Urbieta is among the most common last names. Additionally, smaller populations can be found in other parts of the world, including the United States, Venezuela, Colombia, and Argentina, due to migration from Spain and Mexico.

Variants and spellings of the last name Urbieta

The surname Urbieta has several variations and spellings in English-speaking countries. Some common variations include Orbieta, Urbiata, Orbieta, Oribea, and Uribeata. These differences often arise due to spelling standardization or phonetic interpretation during the immigration process. The name originates from Basque, a language spoken in the Pyrenees region between France and Spain. In Basque, the name Urbieta means "hill of Ur" or "new hill". It is a common surname among Basque immigrants to Latin America and the United States. Another variation is Orbegozo, which is derived from the place name Orbegozo in Spain's Basque Country.

Famous people with the last name Urbieta

Notable individuals sharing the surname Urbieta include:

1. Javier Urbieta (born 1981), a professional baseball player who played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball.

2. Juan Carlos Urbieta (born 1970), a Mexican former professional footballer who played as a forward, most notably for Pumas UNAM. He also represented Mexico at international level.

3. Mónica Urbieta (born 1968), a Spanish actress known for her roles in television series such as "El internado" and "Cuéntame cómo pasó."

4. Raúl Urbieta (born 1957), a Mexican former footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and is recognized as one of the greatest in Mexico's history. He won several championships with Cruz Azul and represented Mexico in two World Cups.

Genealogical research on the last name Urbieta

The Urbieta surname is of Basque origin and is commonly found in Spain and Mexico. The name is believed to have derived from several towns in the Basque Country, such as Urbathe, Urbieta, and Uribe. One notable historical figure with this surname is Martín de Urbieta y Arbizu (1560-1636), a Basque navigator and explorer who sailed for the Spanish crown in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. In Mexico, the Urbieta family played significant roles during the colonial period; members included Juan de Urbieta, viceroy of New Spain from 1590 to 1595, and Diego de Urbieta y Avendaño, bishop of Puebla from 1634 to 1648. The name has also been found in the United States, particularly in Texas and California, due to Spanish colonial settlements and later immigration waves from Mexico.

Last name distribution maps

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NomOrigine Team
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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.

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