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Origin of the surname Abegue
The surname Abegue presents a geographical distribution that, currently, reveals a significant presence in Spanish-speaking countries, especially in Spain and in several Latin American nations. The highest incidence is found in Equatorial Guinea, with 1315 records, followed by other countries such as Gq (probably Equatorial Guinea), and a smaller presence in countries such as Spain, Cameroon, France, and in some countries in America and Africa. The concentration in Equatorial Guinea, a country with Spanish colonial history, suggests that the surname could have roots in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Spain, and that its presence in central Africa may be related to colonial history and associated migrations.
The current distribution, with a strong presence in Equatorial Guinea and to a lesser extent in French-speaking countries and the Iberian Peninsula, allows us to infer that the surname probably has an Iberian, possibly Spanish, origin. The colonial history of Equatorial Guinea, which was a Spanish colony until 1968, reinforces this hypothesis, since many Spanish surnames settled in that region during the colonial period. The dispersion in other countries, such as Cameroon, France and Brazil, can be explained by migratory movements and colonial relations, which facilitated the expansion of the surname beyond its region of origin.
Etymology and Meaning of Abegue
From a linguistic perspective, the surname Abegue does not seem to derive from traditional Spanish patronymic forms, such as -ez or -iz, nor from clearly Germanic or Arabic roots, although an influence from African languages or contact with other languages in regions where the surname is common cannot be ruled out. The structure of the surname, with the sequence Abegue, suggests a possible root in African languages, especially in contexts where Bantu languages or languages of Nilo-Saharan origin influence names and surnames.
The prefix Abe- in some African languages may be related to terms meaning 'person', 'man' or 'family', while the ending -gue could have specific connotations in certain local languages. However, it is also plausible that Abegue is a phonetic adaptation of a European term, possibly Spanish, that has been modified over time in contact with African or French languages.
As for its classification, Abegue could be considered a toponymic surname if it is related to a specific place or region, or a surname of indigenous origin adapted by the colonial presence. The lack of typical Spanish patronymic endings, such as -ez, makes it more likely that it has a toponymic or ethnolinguistic origin in Africa, although a European root that has been adapted in the colonial context cannot be ruled out.
History and expansion of the surname
The predominant presence of the surname Abegue in Equatorial Guinea, together with its lower incidence in French-speaking countries and the Iberian Peninsula, suggests that its expansion may be linked to Spanish colonial history in central Africa. During the colonial period, many Spaniards settled in Equatorial Guinea, and some Spanish surnames were integrated into local communities, adopting phonetic forms typical of African languages. The high incidence in Equatorial Guinea, with 1,315 records, indicates that Abegue could be a surname of local origin, or one that was introduced by colonizers and subsequently transmitted in subsequent generations.
The fact that there is also a presence in countries like Cameroon and France, although to a lesser extent, can be explained by migratory movements and colonial relations in the region. The migration of people between African and European countries, as well as the presence of Afro-descendant communities in French-speaking countries, may have contributed to the dispersion of the surname. Furthermore, the presence in countries like Brazil, although minimal, may be due to migratory movements after colonization, in search of better economic opportunities.
In historical terms, the surname Abegue probably began as a local name or community designation in some region of Equatorial Guinea or nearby areas, and its spread was favored by colonial and migratory relations. The expansion of the surname on the African continent and in diaspora communities reflects the patterns of mobility and cultural contact that characterized the colonial and postcolonial history of theregion.
Variants of the surname Abegue
As for spelling variants, no specific data is available in the current analysis, but it is possible that there are regional or historical forms that have modified the writing of the surname. In colonial or migratory contexts, surnames often undergo phonetic or graphic adaptations, so variants such as Abegué, Abegu or even forms with different endings could have existed in different times or regions.
In other languages, especially in Francophone or Lusophone contexts, the surname could have been adapted to local phonetic and orthographic rules, resulting in similar forms but with slight variations. Furthermore, in regions where Bantu or Nilo-Saharan languages predominate, the surname could have been integrated into local onomastic traditions, forming part of compound surnames or community names.
Relationships with surnames with a common root or with similar elements in other African or European languages could also exist, although there is no conclusive data in the current analysis. The possible relationship with Spanish or Portuguese surnames, given the colonial history, is a hypothesis that is maintained in the analysis, especially considering the presence in Equatorial Guinea and nearby French-speaking countries.
