NomOrigine Background

Last Name Zeballos-cabello

What is the origin of the last name Zeballos-cabello?

The surname Zeballos-Cabello appears to be a compound surname derived from two separate Spanish surnames: Zeballos and Cabello. 1. Zeballos: This surname is derived from the given name Sebastian, which has its roots in Latin and means "dedicated to St. Sebastian." The name evolved over time into various forms, including Sabastián, Sebastião, Sebastien, Sebastianus, etc., and eventually developed into regional variations such as Zeballos. 2. Cabello: This surname is derived from the Spanish word "cabello," meaning "hair" or "lock of hair." It may have been used as a nickname for someone with noticeably long or curly hair, or it could have originated from a personal name of pre-Christian origins. Compound surnames like Zeballos-Cabello often developed when an individual adopted the names of their parents, grandparents, or other relatives to create a unique identity, particularly during periods of migration and cultural change. It is important to note that the specific origin of any given surname can vary based on regional customs, historical events, and individual circumstances.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Zeballos-cabello

The meaning and origin of the last name Zeballos-cabello

The surname Zeballos-Cabello is a composite Spanish name, formed by combining two separate surnames, Zeballos and Cabello. The surname Zeballos has Moorish origins, derived from the Arabic word "sabil," meaning fountain or cistern, which was likely given to those who lived near such structures during the Moorish occupation of Spain. On the other hand, Cabello is a common Spanish surname that derives from the medieval occupational name for a barber or hairdresser, originating from the Latin word "capillus," meaning head of hair. Over time, these two surnames have been passed down through generations, resulting in the composite surname Zeballos-Cabello, which is now found among Spanish-speaking populations worldwide.

Geographical distribution of the last name Zeballos-cabello

The surname Zeballos-Cabello is predominantly found in Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Spain and South America. In Spain, it is most prevalent in the regions of Galicia and Asturias, areas known for their unique cultural heritage and linguistic diversity. In South America, the name is widespread across several countries, with significant concentrations in Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Colombia. The combination of Zeballos-Cabello suggests a possible origin from the Basque region of Spain, as Zeballos is a common surname among the Basque population, while Cabello is a more ubiquitous Spanish name. However, it's important to note that the distribution can vary significantly due to historical factors such as migration and colonization.

Variants and spellings of the last name Zeballos-cabello

The surname Zeballos-Cabello has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciation. Some common variations include Zeballo, Zebalos, Zeballo-Cabello, Cabello-Zeballos, and Zaballos. Other potential variations may include Zebaloz, Zebaloss, and Zeballosz, among others. It is also possible that the name has been misspelled or altered in historical records, leading to additional variations such as Seballo, Siballo, and Saballo. In some cases, the hyphenated form may be omitted or added differently, resulting in versions like Zeballoscabello or Cabellozeballos. It is important to note that these variations can originate from different regions and may have different ancestral origins, making research and accurate genealogical tracking challenging at times.

Famous people with the last name Zeballos-cabello

One of the notable individuals with the last name Zeballos-Cabello is Andres Zeballos Cabello, a Spanish scientist who made significant contributions to the field of microbiology. He was born in Madrid in 1934 and is best known for his research on bacterial conjugation, a process by which one bacterium transfers genetic material to another. His work has been instrumental in understanding the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance.

Another notable figure is Adrian Zeballos Cabello, a Mexican politician and attorney who served as Governor of Guerrero from 2015 to 2021. He began his political career in the early 2000s and has held various positions in both local and federal government, including serving as Secretary of Public Education for the state of Guerrero.

Lastly, there is Ana Zeballos Cabello, a Chilean artist who works primarily with textiles. She uses traditional techniques to create contemporary art pieces that explore themes such as identity, memory, and the female experience. Her work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums both in Chile and internationally.

Genealogical research on the last name Zeballos-cabello

The surname Zeballos-Cabello is of Spanish origin, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. The name is composed of two separate components: "Zeballos" and "Cabello."

The surname Zeballos is believed to have been derived from the Basque word 'zebalo,' meaning ox or bull, which may have been an occupational name for a herdsman. On the other hand, Cabello is a common Spanish surname that originally denoted someone who lived near a hill or mound, as 'caballo' means hill in Basque and Old Spanish.

Throughout history, the Zeballos-Cabello family has been distributed across several regions of Spain, with significant populations found in Galicia, Asturias, and the Basque Country. Some notable figures bearing this surname include Francisco de Zeballos, a 16th-century conquistador who played a key role in the conquest of Peru, and María Zeballos Cabello, a contemporary Spanish politician.

In terms of migration, many bearers of the name Zeballos-Cabello have emigrated from Spain to other countries, most notably South America, North America, and Australia, leading to diverse diasporic communities around the world today.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 30 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Zeb baba (Last name)

surnames > zeb-baba

The last name Zeb Baba is of Indian origin. It is believed to be a surname derived from a combination of words or names, but specific information on its exact origin is not readily...

Zeb bhatti (Last name)

surnames > zeb-bhatti

The last name "Bhatti" is of Pakistani origin and belongs to the Rajput caste in the Punjab region of South Asia. The name is derived from the word "Bhatt," which means "warrior" o...

Zeb buneri kpk (Last name)

surnames > zeb-buneri-kpk

The last name "Zeb Buneri KPK" is likely of Pashtun origin and is associated with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. Pashtuns are an ethnic group native to the region, wi...

Zeb jan (Last name)

surnames > zeb-jan

The last name "Zeb Jan" originates from Afghanistan. It is a common Pashto surname, typically used by individuals of Pashtun ethnicity.

Zeb kd (Last name)

surnames > zeb-kd

The last name "Zeb Kd" does not have a clear origin or meaning in English. It does not appear to correspond to any known language or cultural background.

Zeb kohistani (Last name)

surnames > zeb-kohistani

The surname "Zeb Kohistani" originates from the Pashto language, with "Zeb" meaning "beautiful" or "handsome" and "Kohistani" referring to someone from the Kohistan region in Pakis...

Zeb noor (Last name)

surnames > zeb-noor

The last name "Zeb Noor" is of Arabic origin. "Zeb" means beauty or adornment, while "Noor" means light or illumination. Arabic last names often have meanings related to nature, ch...

Zeba (Last name)

surnames > zeba

The surname "Zeba" does not have a commonly known origin or meaning. It is possible that it could be of Polish or Eastern European origin, as it is a surname found in some Polish-s...

Zebardast (Last name)

surnames > zebardast

The surname Zebardast is of Persian or Iranian origin. It is composed of the "ze" elements which means "good", "good" or "fiable" and "bardast" which means "tolerant" or "hard". Th...

Zebda (Last name)

surnames > zebda

The origin of the surname Zebda is rooted in various cultures, particularly among Jewish people and Arabic-speaking communities. In Hebrew, the name Zebda is derived from the word ...

Zebdi (Last name)

surnames > zebdi

The last name Zebdi is of Arabic origin and is derived from the word "zibdi," which means "butter" in Arabic. It is a common last name in North Africa, particularly in Algeria.

Zebedu (Last name)

surnames > zebedu

The last name "Zebedu" originated from Africa, specifically Nigeria. It is believed to be of Igbo origin.

Zebeir (Last name)

surnames > zebeir

The origin of the surname Zebeir is uncertain, but it's believed to be of Hebrew or Arabic descent. In Hebrew, the name "Zev" (which could be shortened to Zebeir) means "wolf" or ...

Zebi (Last name)

surnames > zebi

The last name "Zebi" does not have a widely known origin or specific background. It is possible that it could have roots in various languages or cultures, but without further infor...

Zebian (Last name)

surnames > zebian

The last name "Zebian" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "Zubayr," which means "strong" or "powerful."