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Origin of the Surname Pérez-Cea
The compound surname Pérez-Cea presents a geographical distribution that, according to available data, shows a higher incidence in Spain, with a 36% presence, followed by the United States with 7% and Venezuela with 4%. The predominant concentration in Spain suggests that its origin is probably linked to the Iberian Peninsula, specifically to the Spanish onomastic tradition. The presence in American countries, such as Venezuela, and in the United States, can be explained by migratory processes and colonization, which have dispersed Spanish surnames throughout different regions of the world. The notable incidence in Spain, along with its presence in America, reinforces the hypothesis that the surname has roots in Hispanic culture, possibly with an origin that dates back to the Middle Ages, when patronymic surnames began to be consolidated in the peninsula. The current distribution, therefore, allows us to infer that Pérez-Cea is a surname of Spanish origin, with a probable expansion through colonization and subsequent migrations, which have taken its use to other continents. The presence in the United States, in particular, may be related to migratory movements of Spaniards towards North America, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, while in Venezuela, the incidence may be linked to Spanish colonization in South America.
Etymology and Meaning of Pérez-Cea
The surname Pérez-Cea is a compound that combines two elements that, analyzed from a linguistic perspective, offer clues about its origin and meaning. The first part, "Pérez", is a patronymic surname that is widespread in the Iberian Peninsula, especially in Spain and Latin America. It is estimated that "Pérez" derives from the proper name "Pedro", with the patronymic suffix "-ez", which in ancient Spanish indicated "son of". Therefore, "Perez" would mean "son of Peter." This pattern of patronymic formation is characteristic of Spanish surnames, which began to be consolidated in the Middle Ages, approximately between the 12th and 15th centuries, as a way of distinguishing people in rural and urban communities. The second part, "Cea", can have various interpretations. In some cases, "Cea" could be related to specific toponyms or places in Galicia or other regions of Spain, where there are towns with similar names. It could also derive from a Basque term or from some indigenous root in the context of the peninsula. In the toponymic field, "Cea" could refer to a place, and by extension, the surname would be toponymic, indicating origin or residence in that locality. From an etymological perspective, "Cea" could be related to terms meaning "river" or "valley" in some pre-Roman or regional languages, although this would require further analysis. Taken together, the compound surname Pérez-Cea is probably patronymic and toponymic, indicating "son of Pedro" and a geographical reference to a place called Cea or similar. The structure of the surname suggests that its formation may have occurred in a region where patronymic and toponymic traditions were intertwined, such as in Galicia or Castile.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The origin of the surname Pérez-Cea, given its patronymic and toponymic component, probably dates back to the Middle Ages in the Iberian Peninsula, in a region where the tradition of forming surnames from the name of the progenitor and specific places was common. The presence of the element "Pérez" indicates that at some point, in a particular family or lineage, the patronymic was used to distinguish its members, while "Cea" could have been a toponymic surname associated with a specific territory or locality. The expansion of the surname in the peninsula may be linked to internal migratory movements, such as the repopulation of certain areas or the consolidation of families in specific regions. Spanish colonization in America, especially in countries like Venezuela, facilitated the dispersion of surnames like Pérez-Cea, which settled in new lands and were transmitted from generation to generation. The presence in the United States, although smaller, may be due to subsequent migrations, in search of economic opportunities or for political reasons. The current distribution therefore reflects an expansion process that combines colonial and modern migration, with a probable origin in a region of Galicia or Castile, where patronymic and toponymic surnames were common. The social and economic history of these regions, marked by the Reconquista, colonization and internal migrations,It contributed to surnames like Pérez-Cea being consolidated and expanded in different territories. The dispersion in America and the United States may also be related to the Spanish diaspora, which took its surnames to new continents from the 16th centuries onwards.
Variants of the Surname Pérez-Cea
As for the variants of the Pérez-Cea surname, it is possible that there are different spelling forms or regional adaptations, although specific data are not available in the present analysis. However, in the Hispanic tradition, patronymic surnames such as Pérez usually present variants such as Pérez, Pirez or Peres, depending on the times and regions. The second part, "Cea", could vary in its writing depending on regional phonetics, and forms such as "Sea" or "Ceya" may be found in some historical records. In other languages, especially in countries where the influence of Spanish was less, the surname could have been adapted phonetically, although there are no clear records of these variations in the case of Pérez-Cea. In relation to related surnames, those that contain the element "Pérez" or that refer to places called Cea or similar, could be considered relatives or variants derived from the same lineage. Phonetic and orthographic adaptation in different countries may also have given rise to regional forms, although in the current context, Pérez-Cea appears to remain relatively stable in its original form, reflecting its origin in the Spanish tradition and its subsequent dispersion.
