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Origin of the Surname Artells
The surname Artells presents a geographical distribution that, according to available data, shows a majority presence in Spain, with an incidence of 64%, and a residual presence in France, with an incidence of 1%. This distribution suggests that the main origin of the surname is probably linked to the Iberian Peninsula, specifically to some region of Spain. The presence in France, although minimal, could be due to migratory movements or historical connections between both countries, which share a long history of cultural and demographic exchanges.
The fact that most of the incidence is concentrated in Spain suggests that Artells could be a surname of toponymic origin or local roots, possibly linked to some locality, region or specific geographical characteristic. Dispersion in France, to a lesser extent, may be the result of internal migrations, border movements or the influence of Spanish communities in French territory, especially in regions close to the border, such as the Basque Country or Catalonia.
From a historical point of view, the most likely region of origin would be some area of the Iberian Peninsula with a tradition of forming toponymic surnames or those derived from place names. The significant presence in Spain suggests that the surname may have emerged in the Middle Ages, in a context in which identification by places or geographical characteristics was common to distinguish families and lineages.
Etymology and Meaning of Artells
The linguistic analysis of the surname Artells indicates that it could have roots in Catalan or in some Romance language of the Iberian Peninsula. The ending in "-ells" is characteristic of certain toponymic or diminutive surnames in Catalan, where the suffix "-ells" can be a form of diminutive or the formation of demonyms or surnames derived from place names.
Possibly, Artells derives from a place name, as a diminutive or variant of an original toponym. The root "Art-" could be related to terms that mean "art", "art" in the sense of skill or skill, or to an ancient proper name. However, there is also a possibility that it has an origin in a place name that includes the root "Art-", such as "Artell" or "Artella", which later evolved into the current form.
From an etymological perspective, the surname could be classified as toponymic, since it probably refers to a place or territory. The presence of the suffix "-ells" in Catalan and other Romance languages suggests that the surname may have emerged in regions where these languages are predominant, such as Catalonia, Valencia or the Balearic Islands.
As for its literal meaning, if we consider that "Art" can be related to "art" or "skill", and that "-ells" is a diminutive or demonym suffix, Artells could be interpreted as "the little skillful ones" or "those from the place of skill", although these hypotheses should be taken with caution. The structure of the surname points to a formation that combines a possibly descriptive root element or proper name, with a suffix that indicates diminutive or belonging.
In summary, Artells seems to be a surname of toponymic origin, with roots in the Catalan language or in Romance dialects of the Iberian Peninsula, and that was probably formed in the Middle Ages, in a context in which identification by place was common. The structure of the surname suggests a relationship with a place or a geographical feature, and its meaning could be linked to concepts of ability, skill or belonging to a specific territory.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The current distribution of the surname Artells indicates that its most likely origin is in some region of Spain, possibly in Catalonia or in nearby areas where Catalan and other Romance dialects have had a significant presence. The concentration in these areas suggests that the surname may have been formed in a medieval context, in a community where identification by place names was common.
During the Middle Ages, in the Iberian Peninsula, the formation of toponymic surnames was a frequent process, especially in regions with a strong territorial organization and the presence of small towns or places with their own names. It is possible that Artells emerged as a surname that identified a family or lineage linked to a place called "Artell" or similar, which later became a surnamehereditary.
The expansion of the surname in the Iberian Peninsula could be related to internal migratory movements, the repopulation of territories or the consolidation of lineages in certain areas. The presence in France, although residual, can be explained by the migration of families from Catalan or nearby regions, especially in times of border movements or displacements motivated by conflicts, trade or the search for new lands.
The process of diffusion of the surname may also be linked to the colonization of Latin America, given that in Latin American countries the presence of Spanish surnames is very significant. The dispersion in Latin America, however, is not reflected in the available data, so it can be inferred that its presence in these regions would be limited or recent.
In short, the history of the surname Artells seems to be marked by its origin in a local community on the Iberian Peninsula, with a subsequent expansion through internal migratory movements and, to a lesser extent, towards neighboring territories such as France. The structure and distribution of the surname reflect historical patterns of formation and migration typical of Catalan or nearby regions.
Variants of the Surname Artells
As for spelling variants of the surname Artells, it is possible that there are related forms that have evolved over time or in different regions. For example, variants such as Artel, Artell or Artela could have been used in historical documents or in different dialects. The presence of the ending "-ells" in Catalan may have been replaced by simpler forms in other areas, such as "-es" or "-a".
In other languages, especially French, the surname could have been adapted to forms such as Artel or Artelle, although these variants would be less frequent. The relationship with surnames with a common root, such as Artigas or Artigas, can be considered, although not necessarily directly derived.
Phonetic and orthographic adaptations in different regions reflect the natural evolution of surnames depending on local languages and dialects. The existence of variants may also indicate the presence of different family branches or adaptations to different historical and cultural contexts.
In conclusion, Artells is a surname that, although with a concentrated distribution in Spain, especially in Catalan regions, can present variants in different regions and times, reflecting the dynamics of the formation and evolution of surnames in the Iberian Peninsula and its areas of influence.
