The surname Urgellí has its roots in the medieval Spanish region of Urgell, which is located in the northeastern part of the autonomous community of Catalonia. The name Urgell is believed to have derived from a Visigothic duke named Witiza, who ruled over this region in the 7th century. Over time, the name evolved into "Urgell" and became a common surname in the area.
The surname Urgelli is of Spanish origin, specifically from the Aragon region in northeastern Spain. It derives from the medieval occupation of 'urjal' or 'urjale', which refers to a person who was a shepherd or a cattle driver. This occupational name was often given to individuals who worked with herds and livestock, reflecting their role in rural societies during the Middle Ages. Over time, the spelling of the surname has undergone various changes due to regional dialects, phonetic shifts, and record-keeping errors, resulting in different variations such as Urgueli, Urgellés, or Urgell. The name Urgelli may also have been associated with a specific place named Urgel, which was the capital of the County of Urgell from the 9th century until 1082 and then again from 1153 to 1716. This region is present-day western Catalonia, further emphasizing the Spanish origin of the surname Urgelli.
The surname Urgelli is predominantly found within Spain, particularly in the Catalonia region where it represents one of the more common surnames. Specifically, it is most frequently found in the provinces of Girona and Barcelona. Beyond Spain, there are also pockets of families with this last name in Argentina and Italy, likely due to historical migration patterns. In Argentina, Urgelli can be found primarily in the Cordoba province, and in Italy, mostly within the region of Lombardy. It is less common in other parts of the world, reflecting its strong geographical association with these specific regions.
The surname Urgielli has multiple variations and spellings. Some common spelling variations include: Urgiolii, Urgegli, Urgheli, Urgueli, Urghegli, Urgell, Urkeli, Orgeli, and Orghili. These differences in spelling can be attributed to regional dialects, transcription errors over time, and individual preferences. It is important to note that while these spellings may differ, they are all derived from the same original Italian surname.
The Urgellí family has produced notable figures across various fields. One of the most prominent is Enric Urgellí i Ventosa (1896-1979), a Catalan lawyer and politician who served as Minister of Justice in the Spanish Republic between 1936 and 1939 during the Spanish Civil War. Another well-known member is José Luis Urgellés y Martín (b. 1950), a Spanish economist, academic, and politician who has served in several positions within the European Commission. In the world of sports, we find Xavi Urgellés i Pons (b. 1982), a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for clubs such as FC Barcelona and Valencia CF during his career. Lastly, Lluís Urgellé i Vila (1936-2022) was an influential Catalan literary critic, essayist, and translator, known for his work in the fields of poetry and children's literature.
The Urgelli surname originates from the Basque region, specifically in the province of Navarre, Spain. Historically, many Basques migrated to other regions due to economic and political factors, spreading the Urgelli name throughout Europe. In Spain, the name is often spelled as Urgoiti or Urdiain, reflecting regional dialect variations. The surname is thought to derive from a place named Urgel or Urgell in Catalonia, indicating that some of the ancestors may have originated from there before settling in Navarre. Notable figures with the Urgelli surname include Juan Antonio Urgell y Urgoiti, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jaca in Huesca, Spain. Genealogical research remains ongoing to further trace the origins and migration patterns of the Urgelli family.
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