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Origin of the Surname de-luna
The surname de-luna has a geographical distribution that, for the most part, is concentrated in Spanish-speaking countries, with a significant presence in Mexico, Central America, and to a lesser extent in Eastern Europe and the United States. According to available data, the highest incidence is in Russia (5), followed by Mexico (3), the Philippines (3), Belarus (1), Kazakhstan (1) and the United States (1). The predominant presence in Latin American countries, especially in Mexico, along with its appearance in regions of Eastern Europe and the Philippines, suggests that the surname could have an origin linked to the expansion of the Hispanic and European world, possibly with roots in the Iberian Peninsula.
The high incidence in Mexico and Latin American countries indicates that the surname probably arrived in these regions during the Spanish colonization processes, in the 16th and 17th centuries. The presence in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, although to a lesser extent, could be due to more recent migrations or the dispersion of families with roots in Eastern Europe, where surnames with similar components may also exist. The presence in the Philippines, a country that was a Spanish colony, reinforces the hypothesis that the surname has an origin in the Iberian Peninsula and that its expansion occurred mainly through European colonization and migration.
Etymology and Meaning of de-luna
The surname de-luna is clearly toponymic, composed of the definite article in Spanish "de" and the noun "luna". The structure of the surname suggests that its origin is related to a place or a geographical feature linked to the moon, or to a place name that has that element in its name. The preposition "de" in Spanish surnames usually indicates origin or belonging to a specific place, so it is likely that originally the surname referred to a place called "La Luna" or an area where the moon had a special meaning.
From an etymological point of view, "moon" comes from the Latin "moon", which in turn has roots in Indo-European languages, related to the lunar goddess in various cultures. The word in Spanish maintains a very similar form to the Latin one, which indicates that the term is of classical origin and has been inherited through Vulgar Latin. The presence of the prefix "de" indicates that the surname was probably formed in a context in which a family or lineage was identified by its origin from a place called "La Luna" or by some geographical or symbolic characteristic related to the moon.
As for its classification, the surname de-luna would be considered toponymic, since it refers to a place or a geographical element. The structure does not suggest a patronymic, occupational or descriptive, but rather points to an identification with a site or symbol associated with the moon. The presence of the article "de" is typical in Spanish toponymic surnames, which indicate origin or belonging to a specific place.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The most probable origin of the surname de-luna is located in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in regions where toponymy related to the moon could have been significant. The formation of the surname probably occurred in the Middle Ages, in a context in which families adopted names linked to places, geographical features or religious and cultural symbols. The presence in Spanish historical records and in documents of the nobility or the rural population may have contributed to its diffusion.
During the colonization of America, especially in Mexico and other Latin American countries, many Spanish surnames were established as part of the conquest and colonization process. The dispersion of the surname de-luna in these regions can be explained by the migration of Spanish families to the New World, taking with them their names and traditions. The presence in the Philippines is also explained by the Spanish colonization in the 16th century, which left a deep mark on the toponymy and surnames of the region.
In Eastern Europe, the appearance of the surname in countries such as Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, although to a lesser extent, could be due to recent migrations or the adoption of similar surnames by families who, for historical reasons, adopted names with similar components. The dispersion in these regions may also be related to migratory movements in the 20th century, in the context of mass migrations and political changes.
In the United States, the presence of the surname in a lesser proportion reflectsthe migration of Latin American and European families, who have taken with them their heraldry and family names. The expansion of the de-luna surname, therefore, can be understood as a result of historical processes of migration, colonization and globalization.
Variants of the Surname of-luna
As for spelling variants, the surname de-luna could present forms such as "De Luna", "Deluna" or even adaptations in other languages, such as "Luna" in Italian or "Lune" in French, although the latter would be less frequent. The original form in Spanish, with the prefix "de" separated, is the most common and reflects its toponymic character.
It is possible that there are related surnames with a common root, such as "Luna", "Lunado" or "Lunero", that share the element "luna" and that could be considered variants or surnames with similar origins. Phonetic adaptation in different regions may have given rise to different forms, but all of them maintain the reference to the moon, a universal symbol in many cultures.
In summary, the surname de-luna, with its clear reference to a natural and symbolic element, probably originated in the Iberian Peninsula, in a toponymic context, and expanded through colonization and migrations to America, Asia and Eastern Europe, maintaining its distinctive character and its link with the moon as a cultural and geographical symbol.
