Origin of the surname Larot

Origin of the Surname Larot

The surname Larot 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 the Philippines, with 961 records, followed by the United States with 177, and to a lesser extent in countries such as Thailand, Sweden, Russia, Austria, Canada, Guatemala and Vietnam. The predominant concentration in the Philippines, a country with a Spanish colonial history, suggests that the surname could have roots in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Spain, and that its presence in the Philippines could be related to Spanish colonization in the 16th century and later. The presence in the United States, although minor, can also be linked to subsequent migrations, both of Hispanic origin and other migratory movements. The dispersion in Asian and European countries, although minimal, could reflect more recent migrations or diverse historical contacts.

In general terms, the current distribution of the surname Larot indicates that its most likely origin is in the Iberian Peninsula, with a significant expansion to the Philippines during the colonial era. The presence in other countries, on a smaller scale, could be due to modern migrations or indirect historical contacts. The predominance in the Philippines, in particular, reinforces the hypothesis that the surname may have been introduced to that territory during the Spanish colonization, which lasted from the late 16th century to the 19th century. The geographical dispersion, therefore, suggests an origin in Hispanic culture, with subsequent expansion through colonial and migratory processes.

Etymology and Meaning of Larot

Linguistic analysis of the surname Larot reveals that it probably has roots in the Spanish language, given its phonetic and orthographic pattern. The structure of the surname does not present typical patronymic suffixes such as -ez or -oz, nor clearly toponymic elements in its current form, suggesting that it could be a surname of descriptive origin or a less conventional patronymic form. The root "Lar-" does not clearly correspond to common Spanish words, but could be related to ancient or regional terms. One hypothesis is that "Lar-" derives from the Latin "lar" or "lararium", which referred to a domestic altar in ancient Rome, although this connection would be more speculative and would require further analysis.

Another possibility is that "Larot" is a variant or derivation of an older surname, modified over time by regional phonetic influences or by transcription errors in historical records. The ending "-ot" in Spanish is not very common in surnames, but it could be related to dialect forms or influences from other languages, such as Catalan or Basque, where endings in "-ot" are more common.

As for its classification, given that it does not present clearly evident patronymic or toponymic elements, it could be considered a surname of descriptive origin or even a surname of recent formation, possibly derived from a nickname or a local term. The lack of a clearly identifiable root in modern Spanish vocabulary makes its literal meaning difficult to pin down, although the most plausible hypothesis is that it has an origin in a descriptive term or in an ancient proper name that has evolved phonetically.

In summary, the surname Larot could have an origin in a descriptive form or in a diminutive derived from a regional or ancient term, with potential roots in Latin or in pre-Roman languages of the Iberian Peninsula. The structure of the surname and its geographical distribution support the hypothesis of an origin in Hispanic culture, with subsequent expansion towards colonial and migratory territories.

History and Expansion of the Surname

The history of the surname Larot, although it does not have specific historical records that allow its evolution to be traced with precision, can be interpreted based on its geographical distribution and historical migratory patterns. The predominant presence in the Philippines, with an incidence of 961 records, is a key fact that suggests that the surname was brought to that territory during the Spanish colonial era, which began in 1565 with the expedition of Miguel López de Legazpi and culminated in the 19th century. During these centuries, many Spanish surnames were introduced to the Philippines, mainly in the colonial classes and in the indigenous communities that adopted Spanish names due to cultural influence andadministrative.

The process of expansion of the Larot surname to the Philippines probably occurred in the context of colonization, where the Spanish established administrations, religious missions and settlements. The adoption of Spanish surnames in the Philippines was a systematic process, especially after the implementation of the Catalog of Surnames in the 19th century, which sought to organize civil registries and facilitate colonial administration. It is possible that Larot was one of these surnames adopted or assigned in that context, or that it was carried by specific individuals who later had descendants in the region.

The presence in the United States, with 177 records, may be related to later migrations, especially in the 20th century, when many Spanish speakers and Filipinos emigrated to that country in search of better opportunities. The dispersion in Asian and European countries, although scarce, could reflect more recent migratory movements or diverse historical contacts, such as commercial or diplomatic exchanges.

In short, the expansion of the surname Larot seems to be linked to the colonial and migratory processes that characterized modern history, with a probable origin in the Iberian Peninsula and a subsequent diffusion in colonial territories and countries of migration. The concentration in the Philippines reinforces the hypothesis of a Spanish origin, adapted and transmitted through generations in different historical contexts.

Variants of the Surname Larot

As for the spelling variants of the surname Larot, no specific data are available in the current analysis, but it is plausible that there are related forms or regional adaptations. The influence of different languages and dialects may have generated phonetic or graphic variants, especially in regions where spelling was not standardized in past times.

In other languages, especially in colonial or migratory contexts, the surname might have been adapted to local phonetic conventions. For example, in English, it could have become "Larott" or "Larot", keeping the root, but with slight variations in the spelling. In French- or Italian-speaking countries, similar forms could exist, although there are no clear records in the current analysis.

Likewise, it is possible that there are related surnames with a common root, such as variants that share the same etymological root or that have arisen from old nicknames or proper names. Phonetic and orthographic adaptation in different regions may have given rise to different forms of the surname, although all linked by a common origin.

In summary, although no specific variants are identified in the data set, it is likely that the surname Larot has related forms in different languages and regions, reflecting processes of adaptation and transmission over time and space.

1
Philippines
961
83.5%
2
United States
177
15.4%
3
Thailand
4
0.3%
4
Sweden
3
0.3%
5
Russia
2
0.2%