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Origin of the Surname Anfusso
The surname Anfusso presents a current geographical distribution that reveals interesting patterns and suggests possible origins. According to available data, the highest incidence is found in Uruguay, with a 32% presence, followed by Argentina with 7%, and to a lesser extent in Brazil with 1%. The significant concentration in Uruguay and Argentina, Latin American countries with strong historical ties to Spanish and Italian colonization, indicates that the surname likely has roots in Europe, specifically the Iberian Peninsula or Italy. The presence in Brazil, although minor, may also be related to European migratory movements towards South America during the 19th and 20th centuries. The current distribution, with a marked emphasis on Uruguay, suggests that the surname may have arrived in this region in the context of European immigration, possibly in the 19th century, when many Italian and Spanish families migrated to the Río de la Plata in search of new opportunities. The dispersion in Argentina and Brazil reinforces the hypothesis of a European origin, with a subsequent expansion through internal and transnational migration processes. In short, the current geographical distribution of the surname Anfusso points to a probable origin in Europe, with a strong presence in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries in South America, which allows us to infer that its history is linked to European migratory movements towards America during recent centuries.
Etymology and Meaning of Anfusso
Linguistic analysis of the surname Anfusso reveals that it probably has roots in the Italian language or in some dialect variant of southern Italy. The structure of the surname, particularly the "-usso" ending, is characteristically Italian, especially in southern regions such as Calabria or Sicily, where surnames with similar suffixes are common. The root "Anf-" could derive from a proper name, a toponymic term, or even a descriptive element, although there are no clear records linking it to specific words in standard Italian. The ending "-usso" in Italian can be related to diminutive or patronymic suffixes, although in this case, it cannot be stated with certainty that it is patronymic, since it does not correspond to typical suffixes such as "-etti" or "-ini". It is possible that the surname has a toponymic origin, derived from a place or a geographical feature, or that it is a patronymic surname adapted to a regional form. The literal etymology of the surname is still the subject of hypotheses, but it is estimated that it could mean something related to a proper name or a place, with a possible meaning of "small" or "of the family of", depending on the Italian suffixes. The presence in South America, especially in Uruguay and Argentina, suggests that the surname may have arrived with Italian immigrants in the 19th century, when migration from Italy to these regions was intense and significant.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The most probable origin of the surname Anfusso is in Italy, specifically in southern regions where surnames with similar endings are common. The history of Italian migration to America, particularly to countries such as Uruguay and Argentina, is well known and documented, with waves of migration that began in the 19th century and continued into the 20th. The significant presence of the surname in Uruguay, which accounts for almost a third of the cases, can be explained by the arrival of Italian immigrants who settled in Montevideo and other areas of the country, participating in agricultural, commercial and urban activities. The expansion towards Argentina and Brazil may also be linked to these migratory movements, since many Italian families moved within South America in search of better living conditions. The current geographic dispersion reflects these historical patterns, in which internal and transnational migrations played a fundamental role. The concentration in Uruguay and Argentina, countries with a history of massive European immigration, reinforces the hypothesis that the surname has a European, probably Italian, origin and that its expansion occurred in the context of the Italian diaspora in South America. The presence in Brazil, although minor, may also be related to Italian or Spanish migrants who settled in the country at different times, contributing to the diversity of the genealogy of the surname.
Variants of the Anfusso Surname
As for the spelling variants of the surname Anfusso, there are no extensive records available, but it is possible that there areregional forms or adaptations in other languages. Given its likely Italian origin, some variants could include forms such as Anfuso, Anfuso, or even phonetic adaptations in countries where Italian pronunciation was modified by local influences. In Spanish-speaking countries, it is plausible that the surname has been adapted to more Hispanicized forms, although concrete evidence for these variants is limited. In addition, there could be related surnames or surnames with a common root, such as Anfuso or Anfuso, that share similar linguistic and etymological elements. Phonetic adaptation in different countries may also have led to small variations in writing and pronunciation, reflecting the particularities of each region. These variants, although not numerous, help to understand the dispersion and evolution of the surname in different cultural and linguistic contexts, enriching the genealogical and onomastic analysis of the surname Anfusso.
