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Origin of the Pagan Surname
The surname Pagano has a geographical distribution that, for the most part, is concentrated in Spanish-speaking countries, especially in Spain and Latin America, with a significant presence also in Italy and the United States. The highest incidence is recorded in Italy, with approximately 35,186 registrations, followed by the United States with nearly 11,900, and to a lesser extent in Latin American countries such as Argentina, with 5,317, and Brazil, with 2,493. The presence in Europe, particularly in France, Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom, although lower in incidence, is also notable.
This distribution pattern suggests that the surname has deep roots in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Spain, given that the incidence in this country is high and that the presence in Latin America may be related to colonization and migration processes. The high incidence in Italy, for its part, indicates that it could also have an origin in Italy, or that the surname spread from that region in early times, possibly during the Middle Ages or the Renaissance.
The dispersion in Spanish-speaking countries and Italy, along with the presence in the United States, may reflect historical migratory movements, such as European emigration to America during the 19th and 20th centuries, and Spanish colonial expansion in America. The current distribution, therefore, suggests that the surname probably has an origin in the Mediterranean region, with a strong link to the Spanish culture and language, and that it subsequently spread through migrations and colonizations.
Etymology and Meaning of Pagan
The surname Pagano has a root clearly linked to the Latin language and Mediterranean culture. The word "pagan" in Spanish, Italian and other Romance languages comes from the Latin "pagānus", which originally referred to rural or non-Christian communities, and which over time acquired a broader meaning, associated with people who practiced religions other than Christianity, Judaism or Islam.
From an etymological point of view, "pagānus" is related to the Indo-European root that means "community" or "people", and which in ancient contexts, in classical Rome, was used to distinguish non-Christians or rural inhabitants of Christianized cities. Semantic evolution led to "pagan" in modern language having connotations of someone who follows traditional or non-Christian religions, but in the context of the surname, its origin may be linked to a nickname or denomination of people who lived in rural areas or who had some relationship with pagan communities in ancient times.
As for its classification, the surname Pagano could be considered of toponymic or descriptive origin, given that it could have been used to identify individuals or families who resided in rural areas or who had some relationship with pagan communities in ancient times. Also, in some cases, it could be a patronymic surname if it is related to an ancestor who had that nickname or name.
The suffix "-ano" in Italian and Spanish usually has derivative or belonging functions, so "Pagan" could be interpreted as "belonging to the pagan community" or "related to paganism." In the context of surnames, it is common for these terms to have been adopted as nicknames or identifiers of cultural or religious characteristics of the ancestors.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The origin of the surname Pagano probably dates back to the Middle Ages in the Italian peninsula or in Spanish-speaking regions, where the influence of Latin and Roman culture was still palpable. The presence of this surname in Italy, where the incidence is the highest, suggests that it may have been established in that region during the Middle Ages, in a context in which rural communities and religious or cultural denominations played an important role in the formation of surnames.
The expansion of the surname to Spanish-speaking countries may be linked to the influence of Italian culture in certain regions, or to the migration of Italian families to America, especially during the 19th and 20th centuries, in search of better economic conditions. The presence in Latin American countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru, can be explained by these migratory movements, as well as by Spanish colonization in America, which also facilitated the spread of surnames of Iberian origin.
In the United States, the incidence of the Pagano surname probably reflects Italian migration andEuropean in general, which occurred in the 19th and 20th centuries. The dispersion in European countries such as France, Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom may also be related to internal and transnational migratory movements, as well as the presence of Italian and Spanish communities in those regions.
The current distribution pattern, with a concentration in Italy and Latin American countries, suggests that the surname originated in the Mediterranean region, probably in Italy, and that its expansion was favored by migrations and colonial movements. The presence in the United States and other European countries reflects modern migratory routes and the Italian and Spanish diasporas.
Variants and Related Forms of the Pagan Surname
Depending on its etymological root and geographical distribution, the surname Pagano may have several spelling variants and adaptations in different languages. In Italian, the most common form is "Pagano", which maintains the same spelling. In Spanish, it can also be found as "Pagano", although in some cases there may be variants such as "Pagán" or "Pagánes", although these are less frequent.
In English-speaking countries, phonetic adaptation can give rise to forms such as "Pagano" or "Paganoe", although these are less common. In France, the surname may appear as "Pagan" or in forms adapted to local phonetics. In addition, there are related surnames that share the root "Pagān-", such as "Pagani" in Italian, which also indicates an origin linked to rural or pagan communities.
It is important to note that, in some cases, the surname may have been modified or simplified in different regions, depending on linguistic and cultural influences. The presence of regional variants may reflect migratory history and phonetic or orthographic adaptations that occurred over time.
