Last Name Valera

The surname Valera has its roots in several countries due to different historical events and migrations, making it challenging to pinpoint a single origin. One possible origin is from the Iberian Peninsula, specifically Spain or Portugal. In Spanish, "Valera" is derived from the place name Valera de Abajo in the province of Palencia, where it was used as a nickname for people who were originally from that town. The surname may have also been a variant of other Spanish and Portuguese surnames such as Vallera, Valleira, or Valeira, all meaning "from the valley" or "valley dweller." Another potential origin is from Italy, where Valera could be a shortened form of the surname Vallara, which comes from the town of Vallarza in Tuscany. In this case, the surname was likely brought to other parts of Europe during the Middle Ages by Italian immigrants. The surname may also have origins in France, where it is a diminutive form of the name Valerian or its female counterpart Valérie, meaning "strong, healthy" or "health-giving." It's worth noting that the specific origin and migration patterns for the surname Valera can vary significantly depending on the particular branch or lineage.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Valera

The meaning and origin of the last name Valera

The surname Valera is of Spanish origin, derived from the Old Galician-Portuguese personal name "Valerio," which means "healthy" or "strong." This name stems from the Latin name "Valerius," which was a common Roman family name during the ancient times. In Spain, it became a surname in the Middle Ages as a result of the repopulation efforts after the Muslim conquest, with many families adopting names that had a religious or noble association. The name Valera has since spread to other regions due to migration and assimilation, becoming a widely recognized Spanish surname worldwide.

Geographical distribution of the last name Valera

The surname Valera has a predominant presence in Spain and Latin America, particularly in countries with significant Spanish influence such as Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. In Spain, it is most common in the regions of Castile-Leon, Extremadura, Madrid, and Andalusia. The name also appears in other Spanish-speaking countries like Argentina, Chile, and Dominican Republic, but at lower frequencies compared to the aforementioned nations. The distribution of the surname Valera outside of these regions is relatively sparse, though small communities with this last name can be found in various parts of Europe and North America due to migration from Spanish-speaking countries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Valera

The surname Valera can be spelled and variated in several ways across different regions and time periods. Here are some common variations:

1. Valera: This is the most common spelling and is widely used, particularly among Spanish speakers.
2. Valeira: A Portuguese variant of the name.
3. Balera: A possible transcription error or dialectal variation.
4. Vallera: Another variation that may arise from a typographical mistake or regional pronunciation difference.
5. Waleria: In some cases, it might be spelled with a 'W' as in certain English-speaking countries where the surname has been adopted by immigrants.
6. VaLera: Occasionally, an uppercase 'L' may be used instead of lowercase to distinguish it from other names or for personal preference.
7. Valarie (or Vallarie): In English, this name can be used as a female given name, though it is not directly related to the surname Valera.
8. De Valera: This is a patronymic form of the name, meaning 'son of Valera' in Spanish and Irish, often used by those with Irish heritage.
9. Del Valle: A Hispanicized version of the name, common among people of Spanish descent. It means "of the valley" in Spanish.
10. Y Valera (or U Valera): In Welsh, the 'y' or 'u' is used before a surname beginning with a vowel to indicate that it's a surname rather than an adjective.

Famous people with the last name Valera

Notable individuals with the surname Valera include:

1. Juan Vicente Valera (1837-1925), a Colombian poet and journalist who served as the Minister of War during the Thousand Days' War.

2. José Vicente Valera (1840-1869), a Venezuelan general and politician who played a key role in the Federal War and later became the President of Venezuela.

3. Jorge Isaac Valera (born 1958), a Peruvian writer known for his novel "El Túnel" which was adapted into the film "The Tunnel" in 2016.

4. Juan José Valera (1870-1940), a Spanish poet and essayist who is considered one of the most important figures of the Generation of '98.

5. Miguel Ángel Valera (born 1992), a Venezuelan professional baseball player currently playing for the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball.

6. Mariano Díaz Valera (1790-1834), a Spanish soldier who fought against Napoleon's troops and was posthumously awarded the Gold Medal of Military Merit.

Genealogical research on the last name Valera

The Valera surname originated from the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Spain and Portugal, where it is most commonly found. It is derived from the Old Greek name "Valerius," which was brought to Europe by the Romans. The name Valerius means "healthy" or "strong."

In Spain, the Valera surname can be traced back to the Kingdom of León in the 15th century. Some notable bearers of this surname include the Valera family from Aragon, who were lords of the town of Valera de Abajo during the Middle Ages. In Portugal, the Valera lineage can be traced back to the 16th century, with prominent figures such as Diogo Valadares, a Portuguese humanist and historian.

The Valera surname has also spread globally due to migration, particularly during the colonization era. The name is present in various countries like Mexico, where it is among the top 200 most common last names, Philippines, United States, and Brazil. In these regions, the Valera family often comes from Spanish or Portuguese immigrants, but local variations such as O'Valara (Ireland) or Valará (Hungary) may have different origins.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Valera"
• 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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