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Origin of the Surname Perez-Albela
The compound surname Perez-Albela presents a geographical distribution that, according to available data, shows a significant presence in the United States (7), followed by Peru (6), with a lower incidence in countries such as Switzerland (2), Brazil (1) and Chile (1). The concentration in the United States and Latin America, especially in Peru and Chile, suggests that the surname has roots that could be related to Spanish expansion in the American continent. The presence in countries such as Switzerland and Brazil, although smaller, may reflect later migratory processes or regional adaptations. The current distribution, with a notable incidence in the United States, may also indicate that the surname has spread through recent or historical migrations, possibly linked to Hispanic and Latino population movements in the 20th and 21st centuries. However, the greater concentration in Spanish-speaking countries and in the United States, where the Hispanic community is significant, reinforces the hypothesis of a Spanish origin, specifically in regions where colonization and the expansion of the Spanish language and culture were predominant.
Etymology and Meaning of Perez-Albela
The compound surname Perez-Albela combines two elements that, analyzed from a linguistic perspective, offer clues about its origin and meaning. The first part, "Perez", is a very common patronymic form in Spanish onomastics, derived from the proper name "Pedro". The ending "-ez" in "Perez" indicates an affiliation, that is, "son of Peter." This patronymic pattern is characteristic of Spanish surnames, which were consolidated in the Middle Ages, and reflects a tradition of naming people based on the name of a male ancestor. The root "Peter" comes from the Latin "Petrus", which in turn has roots in the Greek "Petros", meaning "rock" or "stone". Therefore, "Perez" can be interpreted as "son of Pedro", and its use spread widely throughout the Iberian Peninsula, being one of the most frequent patronymic surnames in Spain.
The second part, "Albela", presents a more complex analysis. Although it is not a very common surname in Spanish onomastics, its structure suggests possible roots in Romance languages or even influences from other languages. The ending "-ela" may be related to diminutive or affective forms in some Iberian languages, although in this context, it could also derive from a toponym or a descriptive term. It is plausible that "Albela" has a toponymic origin, related to a specific place or region, or that it is a phonetic adaptation of a surname or term from another language, such as Basque, Galician or even some indigenous language in America.
Taken together, the surname "Perez-Albela" can be classified as a patronymic-toponymic compound surname, where "Perez" indicates affiliation and "Albela" possibly refers to a place or geographical feature. The composite structure suggests that at some point, the family or lineage that adopted this surname wanted to distinguish itself by a family link with an ancestor named Pedro and a geographical reference or particular characteristic associated with "Albela".
History and Expansion of the Surname
The analysis of the current distribution of the surname Perez-Albela allows us to infer that its most probable origin is in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Spain, given that the patronymic structure of "Perez" is typically Spanish. The presence of patronymic surnames with endings in "-ez" was consolidated in the Middle Ages in Castile and other regions of Spain, where the need to distinguish people in records and documents led to the adoption of these surnames. The addition of an additional element, such as "Albela", may indicate regional or familial differentiation, perhaps linked to a specific place or distinctive feature.
During the time of Spanish colonization in America, many Spanish surnames expanded through conquest and colonization, establishing themselves in countries such as Peru, Chile and other Latin American territories. The significant presence in Peru, with an incidence of 6, according to the data, reinforces the hypothesis that the surname may have arrived in that region in the 16th or 17th centuries, in the context of colonial expansion. Internal migration and subsequent waves of migration, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, also contributed to the dispersion of the surname in the United States, where it currently has a notable impact.
The fact that in the United States it has an incidence of 7, comparedwith other countries, it may reflect the migration of Spanish-speaking families in search of better opportunities, as well as the integration of descendants into growing Latino communities. The presence in countries such as Switzerland and Brazil, although smaller, may be due to more recent migrations or the adaptation of surnames in international contexts, where families have preserved or modified their original surnames.
In summary, the expansion of the Perez-Albela surname can be understood as a result of Spanish colonization in America, followed by internal and global migrations. The current distribution, with a greater concentration in Spanish-speaking countries and the United States, is consistent with an origin in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in a region where the patronymic tradition was strong and where "Albela" could have been a regional or family distinctive element.
Variants of the Surname Perez-Albela
As for the variants of the Perez-Albela surname, it is likely that there are different spelling forms, especially in contexts where regional writing or pronunciation has influenced. For example, in English-speaking countries or in immigration records, elements may have been simplified or modified, giving rise to variants such as "Perez-Albela", "Perez Albela" (without a hyphen), or even phonetic adaptations such as "Perez-Albela" in different languages.
In other languages, especially English, the surname could have been adapted by removing the hyphen, or modifying the structure to conform to the phonetic and orthographic conventions of the language. Additionally, in Spanish-speaking contexts, there could be related surnames that share the root "Perez" or the element "Albela", forming families with similar surnames or with common roots, such as "Perez" alone, "Albela" alone, or similar combinations.
It is important to note that, since "Albela" is not a very frequent surname in Spanish onomastics, its presence in variants may be linked to a toponymic origin or to a specific family line surname that, over time, has been maintained in certain regions or families. The regional adaptation and spelling variations reflect the migratory history and cultural interaction of the families that bear this compound surname.
