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Origin of the Surname Carmes
The surname Carmes has a geographical distribution that, although relatively limited compared to other surnames, reveals interesting patterns that allow us to infer its possible origin. The highest incidence is in France, with 420 records, followed by Brazil with 20, incidences in Australia, the United States, Denmark, Luxembourg, Burkina Faso, Lebanon and Russia to a lesser extent. The predominant concentration in France suggests that the surname could have roots in the French onomastic tradition or in nearby regions, such as the Pyrenees region or areas bordering Spain. The presence in Latin American countries, especially in Brazil, also indicates that the surname may have arrived in America through European migratory processes, particularly during the periods of European colonization and migration to Latin America.
The fact that the incidence in France is significantly higher than that of other countries, together with the presence in countries with a history of European colonization, reinforces the hypothesis that the surname has a European origin, probably in the French-speaking region or in nearby areas. The dispersion in countries such as Brazil and the United States can be explained by migratory movements of Europeans in the 19th and 20th centuries. The presence in countries such as Australia and Denmark, although scarce, may also be related to more recent migrations or population movements in specific contexts.
Etymology and Meaning of Carmes
From a linguistic analysis, the surname Carmes seems to be related to the root "Carm-", which could derive from the Latin term "Carmel" or "Carmelo", which in turn has roots in Hebrew. The word "Carmel" in Hebrew means "garden" or "orchard", and is linked to the famous mountain of Mount Carmel in Israel, a place of great historical and religious significance in the Judeo-Christian tradition. The presence of the root "Carm-" in European surnames may be related to toponyms or references to sacred places or religious importance.
The suffix "-es" in the surname may indicate a patronymic or toponymic formation in the Hispanic or French tradition. In the Hispanic context, surnames ending in "-es" often derive from patronymics or forms of demonyms. However, in the case of "Carmes", the structure is not typically patronymic, but could be a toponymic form or an adaptation of a term related to a place or a religious reference.
In terms of classification, "Carmes" could be considered a toponymic surname, derived from a place called "Carmel" or similar, or a surname of religious origin, associated with devotion to the Virgin of Carmen, a Marian devotion highly venerated in countries with a Catholic tradition, especially in Spain and Latin America. The reference to "Carmen" in the surname may also indicate a relationship with the religious figure, which would reinforce its character as a surname of religious or devotional origin.
In summary, the etymology of "Carmes" is probably related to the root "Carmel", linked to sacred places or Marian devotion, and its structure suggests a toponymic or religious origin, with possible influences from both French and Spanish.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The analysis of the current distribution of the surname "Carmes" allows us to propose that its most probable origin is located in regions with a strong religious tradition and the presence of place names related to "Carmel" or "Carmen". The prominence in France suggests that it may have emerged in a community linked to devotion to the Virgen del Carmen, an invocation that has roots in the Catholic tradition and that spread widely in Europe, especially in countries such as Spain, France and Italy.
Historically, devotion to the Virgen del Carmen was consolidated in the Middle Ages, and its influence on onomastics and surnames was significant in the Iberian Peninsula and in French regions. The presence in France may be related to the Order of the Carmelites, a religious order founded on Mount Carmel in the 12th century, which had an important impact on the dissemination of names and surnames linked to that reference.
The expansion of the surname towards America, particularly Brazil, can be explained by European migration during the 19th and 20th centuries, in a context of colonization and migratory movements motivated by the search for better living conditions. The presence in the United States and Australia may also be related to more recent migrations, within the framework of the European diaspora and thereligious communities that carried with them their devotion and their names.
The dispersion pattern suggests that "Carmes" may have initially been a surname of a religious or toponymic nature, which subsequently expanded through migrations and colonizations, adapting to different cultural and linguistic contexts. The low incidence in non-Romance speaking countries indicates that its origin is more linked to regions with Catholic tradition and the influence of religion in the formation of surnames.
Variants of the Surname Carmes
As for spelling variants, it is possible that there are forms related to or derived from the same root, such as "Carmes", "Carmel", "Carmen" or "Carmona". The "Carmel" form is especially common in Anglo-Saxon countries and English-speaking regions, where it may have been phonetically adapted. In Spanish-speaking countries, "Carmen" is a very popular given name, and in some cases, it may have been used as a surname in derived forms or in historical records.
Likewise, in French-speaking regions, variants such as "Carmes" or "Carmès" are likely to exist, with accents or spelling modifications that reflect phonetic or regional adaptations. The influence of different languages and cultural traditions may have given rise to different forms of the surname, related by a common root.
In summary, "Carmes" can have variants that reflect the history of migrations, phonetic adaptations and spelling changes in different countries and times. The relationship with surnames such as "Carmel" or "Carmen" also suggests a connection with the religious and toponymic tradition linked to sacred places or Marian devotions.
