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Origin of the Surname Lagrimas
The surname Lagrimas presents a geographical distribution that, although it is relatively dispersed, shows a significant concentration in Spanish-speaking countries, especially in the Philippines, the United States and some Latin American countries such as Guatemala, Chile and Mexico. The highest incidence is recorded in the Philippines, with 8,834 cases, followed by the United States with 371, and to a lesser extent in Latin American countries. This distribution suggests that the surname could have roots in the Hispanic world, given that its presence in the Philippines, a former Spanish colony, is notable and may reflect colonial influence in the formation and dispersion of surnames in that region. The presence in the United States, although lower in incidence, may also be related to migrations and diasporas of Hispanic or Filipino origin. The dispersion in Latin American countries, particularly in Guatemala and Chile, reinforces the hypothesis of an origin in the Iberian Peninsula, probably in Spain, from where it expanded to America during the colonial periods. The current distribution, therefore, can be interpreted as a reflection of historical processes of colonization, migration and diaspora that affected the Spanish- and Filipino-speaking regions.
Etymology and Meaning of Tears
From a linguistic analysis, the surname Lagrimas seems to derive from the common Spanish noun lágrima, which means 'drop of water that falls from the eyes due to sadness, joy or pain'. The plural form, tears, in the context of a surname, could have had a symbolic or figurative origin. It is likely that, in its origin, the surname was descriptive in nature, related to some physical, emotional or symbolic characteristic associated with the expression of tears or deep feelings.
As for its structure, Lagrimas does not present the typical Spanish patronymic suffixes such as -ez or -oz, nor clearly toponymic elements. However, its shape suggests that it could be a surname of a descriptive or symbolic nature, perhaps originating from an expression or nickname that referred to an emotional or physical characteristic of an ancestor. The root lagrima comes from the Latin lacrima, which in turn has roots in Indo-European languages, and its use in the Spanish language dates back to the Middle Ages.
The surname could be classified as descriptive, since it refers to a visible or symbolic characteristic. The presence of the term in the form of a surname may have been motivated by some anecdote, personal or symbolic characteristic that an ancestor wanted to highlight. The plural form, Lagrimas, can also indicate a pluralized form that, in some cases, was used in surnames to denote a plural or collective quality or characteristic.
In summary, the etymology of the surname Lagrimas is probably related to the Spanish word lágrima, with a literal meaning linked to the expression of feelings and emotions, and which, in its use as a surname, may have acquired symbolic or descriptive connotations related to sensitivity, sadness or emotional expression.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The analysis of the current distribution of the surname Lagrimas allows us to infer that its most probable origin is in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Spain, given that the root and form of the surname correspond to a term from the Spanish language. The significant presence in Latin American countries, such as Guatemala and Chile, can be explained by Spanish colonial expansion from the 16th century onwards. The colonization of America led to the adoption and transmission of Spanish surnames in the new colonies, and in many cases, these surnames were maintained in local communities, passed down from generation to generation.
On the other hand, the high incidence in the Philippines, with 8,834 records, is indicative of the Spanish colonial influence in that region. The Philippines was a Spanish colony for more than 300 years, from 1565 to 1898, and during that period, many Spanish surnames were introduced and adopted by the local population. The presence of Lagrimas in the Philippines may be due to this history of colonization, in which Spanish surnames became established in Filipino culture, often in official records and in family identity.
The dispersal in the United States, with 371 incidents, may be related to subsequent migrations, both of Spaniards and Filipinos, in the context of migratory movements of the 20th century andXXI. The presence in countries like Guyana, with 21 incidents, may also be linked to internal migrations or previous colonial relations.
The expansion pattern of the surname Lagrimas seems to follow the Spanish and Filipino colonization and migration routes, with an initial concentration in the Iberian Peninsula and the Philippines, and a subsequent dispersion towards America and the United States. Colonial history, internal migrations and modern diasporas largely explain the current distribution of the surname.
Variants and Related Forms
As for spelling variants, not many different forms of the surname Lagrimas are recorded, although in historical records or in different regions, small variations in writing could have occurred, such as Lágrimas with an accent, or forms adapted in other languages or regions. The form without accent in the modern version may be a simplification or adaptation to current Spanish spelling.
In other languages, since the term lágrima is specific to Spanish, there are no direct forms of the surname in non-Romance languages. However, in regions where the surname has been adapted or translated, phonetic or graphic variants could exist, although there are no clear records in this regard.
The surname Lagrimas may be related to other surnames that contain similar roots, such as Lágrimas de Oro in some historical cases or compound surnames that include the word lágrima. However, in terms of genealogy and onomastics, Lagrimas seems to constitute a unit in itself, with a possible symbolic or descriptive origin linked to the expression of feelings.
