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Origin of the Surname Cheriguene
The surname Cheriguene has a geographical distribution that, although it is relatively scarce compared to other surnames, reveals interesting patterns that allow us to infer its possible origin. The highest incidence is found in Algeria, with approximately 2,220 records, followed by France with 455, and to a lesser extent in countries such as Luxembourg, Germany, Lebanon, and the Philippines. The significant presence in Algeria and France suggests that the surname could have roots in the Maghreb region, specifically in the historical context of Arab and Berber influence in that area. Dispersion towards continental Europe, particularly in France, may be related to migratory movements, colonization or cultural exchanges in the Mediterranean and Western region.
The concentration in Algeria, a country with a history marked by the Arab presence and Ottoman rule, suggests that the surname could have an Arab or Berber origin. The presence in France, a neighboring country with a history of colonization in Algeria, reinforces this hypothesis. The dispersion in countries such as Luxembourg, Germany, Lebanon and the Philippines, although on a smaller scale, may be due to later migrations, diasporas or historical relationships with the regions of origin. Taken together, the current distribution suggests that Cheriguene probably has an origin in North Africa, specifically in the Maghreb region, with a later expansion towards Europe and other continents through migratory processes.
Etymology and Meaning of Cheriguene
Linguistic analysis of the surname Cheriguene indicates that it could derive from Arabic or Berber roots, given its phonetic pattern and geographical distribution. The structure of the surname does not present typical endings of Spanish or European patronymics, such as -ez or -son, nor clearly toponymic elements in Romance languages. Instead, the presence of sounds like "Cheri" and "guene" may suggest a root in Semitic or Berber languages.
The prefix "Cheri" could be related to Arabic or Berber words that mean "dear", "beloved" or "precious", although this would be a hypothesis that requires further linguistic analysis. The ending "-guene" is common in surnames and names in regions of the Maghreb, where it may be related to suffixes that indicate belonging or specific characteristics. In Arabic, for example, some suffixes indicate belonging or relationship, although there is no exact correspondence with "-guene."
From an etymological point of view, the surname could be classified as toponymic or descriptive, if we consider that "Cheriguene" could refer to a place, a physical characteristic or a quality. However, since there are no clear records of a place called that in the region, it is more likely that it is a surname of a descriptive nature or derived from a nickname or personal characteristic, which later became a family surname.
In terms of classification, it does not seem to fit a typical Spanish patronymic, nor an occupational surname. The most plausible hypothesis is that it is a surname of Arabic or Berber origin, possibly related to a descriptive term or a nickname that, over time, became a hereditary surname. The presence in countries with Arab and Muslim influence reinforces this hypothesis, although without definitive documentary evidence, these hypotheses remain in the realm of probability.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The current distribution of the surname Cheriguene suggests that its most likely origin is in the Maghreb region, specifically in Algeria, where the presence of records is notably greater. The history of that region, marked by Arab, Berber and Ottoman influence, may have favored the formation of surnames with roots in Semitic languages or Berber languages, which were subsequently transmitted through generations.
During the colonial and post-colonial era, many inhabitants of the Maghreb migrated to Europe, especially to France, in search of better economic opportunities or for political reasons. This migratory process explains the significant presence of the surname in France and in nearby European countries. The expansion towards countries such as Luxembourg, Germany, and Lebanon, although on a smaller scale, may be linked to later migratory movements, particularly in the 20th century, when the Maghrebi and Arab diasporas consolidated in Europe and other continents.
The dispersal in the Philippines, although more atypical, could be related to migratory movements in the context of theSpanish colonization and the historical connections between Asia and the Arab world. However, given that the incidence in the Philippines is minimal, this presence may be due to isolated cases or recent migrations.
In summary, the expansion of the surname Cheriguene seems to be closely linked to the historical processes of colonization, migration and diaspora in the Arab and Maghreb world, with a subsequent expansion towards Europe and other continents in the 19th and 20th centuries. The concentration in Algeria and France reinforces the hypothesis of an origin in that region, with a subsequent diffusion through migratory movements.
Variants of the Cheriguene Surname
As for spelling variants, there are no detailed historical records indicating multiple forms of the surname Cheriguene. However, in migratory contexts and in different countries, it is possible that phonetic or graphic adaptations have emerged, such as Cheriguén, Cherigueneh, or variants in non-Latin alphabets that, when transliterated, adopted different forms.
In languages with Arabic or Berber influence, the surname could have different forms, although there are no clear records in that sense. Relationship to surnames containing similar roots in the region, such as those beginning with "Cheri-" or ending in "-ene", could indicate a common root or a family of related surnames, although this would require further genealogical analysis.
In short, the variants of the surname Cheriguene seem to be scarce or poorly documented, but it is likely that in different regions phonetic or graphic adaptations have emerged that reflect the local pronunciation or the spelling conventions of each country.
