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Origin of the Surname Perez-Calderón
The surname Perez-Calderón presents a geographical distribution that, according to available data, reveals a significant presence in Spain, with a 32% incidence, and also in countries in America and Europe, such as the United States, Belgium, Colombia and Puerto Rico. The concentration in Spain, along with its presence in Latin America and in Spanish-speaking communities in the United States, suggests that its most likely origin is in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Spanish territory. The presence in countries such as Colombia and Puerto Rico can be explained by historical processes of colonization and migration, which led to the dispersion of Spanish surnames in America. The current distribution, with a high incidence in Spain and a notable presence in America, allows us to infer that the surname probably has roots in the Spanish onomastic tradition, with possible influences from the culture and history of the Iberian Peninsula. The expansion of the surname could be linked to migratory movements from Spain to America during the 16th and 17th centuries, in the context of colonization, as well as to subsequent migrations in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Etymology and Meaning of Perez-Calderón
The surname Perez-Calderón is a compound surname that 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 surname in the Iberian Peninsula, especially in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries. The form "Perez" probably derives from the proper name "Pérez", which in turn comes from the name "Pedro", with the addition of the patronymic suffix "-ez", characteristic of medieval Castilian. This suffix indicates "son of", so "Perez" would mean "son of Peter." The form "Perez" is a variant of "Pérez", which in some cases may present spelling variations, but in general maintains its patronymic root.
The second part, "Calderón", is a toponymic and occupational surname that has roots in the Spanish language. "Calderón" comes from the noun "cauldron", which refers to a metal container used for cooking or melting metals. The suffix "-ón" in Spanish usually indicates an augmentative or a diminutive in some contexts, but in this case, "Calderón" is interpreted as a surname that may be related to the profession of boilermaker or to a place where boilers were manufactured. Therefore, "Calderón" could mean "the great one or the one who works with boilers." In historical terms, surnames that refer to occupations, such as "Calderón", are common in Spanish tradition and usually indicate the profession of an ancestor.
Overall, "Perez-Calderón" would be a compound surname that combines a patronymic with a toponymic or occupational name, following a common structure in Spanish onomastics. The classification of the surname would, therefore, be a combination of patronymic and occupational/toponymic. The presence of these elements suggests that the surname may have arisen in a family that, in addition to having an ancestor named Pedro, also had some relationship with the manufacture or use of boilers, or resided in a place called Calderón.
From a linguistic perspective, the surname clearly reflects the typical structure of Spanish, with patronymic and augmentative suffixes, and with roots in vocabulary related to professions or places. The etymology of the surname points to an origin in the Spanish language, with a possible evolution in the social and labor context of the Middle Ages and the Modern Age in the Iberian Peninsula.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The analysis of the current distribution of the Perez-Calderón surname allows us to propose hypotheses about its history and expansion. The high incidence in Spain, especially in regions where patronymic and occupational surnames are common, indicates that its most likely origin is in the Iberian Peninsula, in a context where the formation of surnames from given names and occupations was common. The appearance of the surname could date back to the Middle Ages, when the need to distinguish people led to the adoption of surnames based on personal characteristics, professions or places of residence.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, with the expansion of the Spanish Empire and the colonization of America, many Spanish surnames spread in colonial territories. The presence in countries such as Colombia and Puerto Rico, with incidences around 1%, can be explained by these migratory and colonial processes. The dispersion towards StatesUnited States, with a 4% incidence, may also be related to later migratory movements, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, when many Spaniards emigrated in search of better opportunities.
The distribution pattern suggests that the surname may have had an origin in a family or community in a specific region of Spain, which subsequently spread through internal and external migrations. The presence in Belgium, although minimal, also indicates possible movements of individuals or families in the European context, perhaps in relation to commercial or work activities.
The spread of the Perez-Calderón surname, therefore, may be linked to the social and economic history of Spain, marked by the nobility, the bourgeoisie and the working classes, who adopted surnames related to jobs and places. Migration to America and other countries, at different times, contributed to the surname being consolidated in various communities, maintaining its original structure and meaning.
Variants of the Surname Perez-Calderón
In relation to the variants and related forms of the surname Perez-Calderón, it is likely that there are some orthographic or phonetic adaptations in different regions. For example, in countries where the pronunciation or writing differs from standard Spanish, variants such as "Pérez Calderón" (with an accent in "Pérez"), or simplified forms such as "Perez Calderon" without hyphens or spaces, could be found.
In other languages, especially in Anglo-Saxon contexts, the surname could have been adapted to forms such as "Perez de Calderon" or "Calderon Perez", although these are less frequent. The influence of related surnames, such as "Calderón" alone, or "Pérez" alone, can also be considered in the analysis of genealogies and historical records.
Likewise, in regions where the tradition of compound surnames is not so deep-rooted, the surname could have been simplified or modified, giving rise to forms such as "Caldero" or "Perez". The existence of these variants reflects the dynamics of onomastics in different cultural and linguistic contexts, and can facilitate genealogical research in different countries.
