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Origin of the Surname Pérez-Clotet
The compound surname Pérez-Clotet presents a geographical distribution that, according to available data, shows a significant presence in Spain, with an incidence of 18 in the country. The concentration in Spanish territory, together with the presence in Latin American countries, suggests that its origin is probably Spanish, given that many compound surnames in the Iberian Peninsula arose from the union of surnames from different lineages or families. The presence in Latin America can be explained by the migratory and colonizing processes that took place since the time of Spanish colonization in the 15th and 16th centuries, thus extending the family to various countries on the continent. The current distribution, therefore, reinforces the hypothesis that the surname has roots in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Spain, and that its expansion to Latin America was due to migratory movements after the conquest and colonization. The presence in other countries, although minor, may be due to internal migrations or the dispersion of families through different periods, thus consolidating its character as a surname of Spanish origin with projection in America.
Etymology and Meaning of Pérez-Clotet
The compound surname Pérez-Clotet combines two elements that, analyzed from a linguistic and etymological perspective, allow us to understand its possible origin and meaning. The first component, "Pérez", is a patronymic surname that is widespread in the Iberian Peninsula, especially in Spain and in Latin American countries. The ending "-ez" in "Pérez" indicates that it is a patronymic surname that means "son of Peter", "Pedro" being a proper name of Latin origin, derived from the Greek "Petros", which means "rock" or "stone". The form "Pérez" would, therefore, be a way of naming the descendants or children of a person named Pedro, following the Spanish patronymic tradition, which dates back to the Middle Ages and was very common in the formation of surnames in the peninsula.
On the other hand, the second element, "Clotet", has an origin that is probably toponymic or of Basque or Catalan root. The ending "-et" in "Clotet" is common in Catalan and Valencian surnames, and may be related to diminutives or affective forms in these languages. The root "clot" in Catalan means "small plain" or "valley", and is common in place names of the Catalan region. The form "Clotet" could, therefore, derive from a diminutive of "clot", indicating a small place or a geographical feature of a family origin linked to a small valley or lowland area.
Taken together, the surname "Pérez-Clotet" would be a patronymic linked to a lineage that, in addition, has a toponymic or geographical reference, possibly indicating a family originating from a place called "Clotet" or similar. The union of these elements suggests that the surname may have emerged in a region where patronymic and toponymic families coexisted, such as in Catalonia or Valencia, and that it subsequently spread to other areas of the peninsula and America.
From an onomastic classification, "Pérez-Clotet" would be considered a composite patronymic-toponymic surname, characterized by the union of a very common patronymic surname in Spain with a toponymic or geographical element of Catalan or Valencian origin. The structure of the surname reflects a possible family union that combines the descent of a Pedro with a place or geographical characteristic linked to "Clotet".
History and Expansion of the Surname
The analysis of the current distribution of the surname Pérez-Clotet allows us to infer that its most probable origin is in the region of Catalonia or Valencia, where surnames with endings in "-et" and roots related to toponyms are frequent. The presence of "Clotet" in these territories, together with the patronymic character of "Pérez", suggests that the surname may have emerged in the Middle Ages, in a context in which families adopted surnames that combined the name of the parent with references to local geographical places or characteristics.
During the Modern Age, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Iberian Peninsula experienced processes of consolidation of surnames and formation of family lineages, in which compound surnames began to acquire greater social and heritage relevance. The expansion of the Pérez-Clotet surname in these times could be linked to internal migratory movements, as well as the consolidation of families in different regions of Catalonia, Valencia and Aragon.
The arrival in America, in particular tocountries such as Argentina, Mexico or Cuba, probably occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries, within the framework of the Spanish migrations to the New World. The presence in these countries reflects the dispersion of families who, for economic, political or social reasons, emigrated from their region of origin on the peninsula. The concentration in these territories may also be related to the search for new opportunities and the expansion of family networks in the colonial and postcolonial context.
The current distribution pattern, with a high incidence in Spain and presence in Latin America, is typical of surnames of peninsular origin that expanded through colonization and migration. Geographic dispersion may also be influenced by historical events such as the Spanish Civil War, which caused migratory movements internally and abroad, thus consolidating the presence of the surname in different countries.
Variants and Related Forms
As for variants of the Pérez-Clotet surname, it is possible that there are different spelling forms or regional adaptations, although specific information is limited. However, depending on linguistic characteristics, variants such as "Perez Clotet" (without hyphen), "Pérez de Clotet" or even simplified forms in other languages or regions could be considered, such as "Peters" in Anglo-Saxon contexts, although the latter would be less direct.
In Catalan or Valencian regions, the surname is likely to maintain its original form, while in other Spanish-speaking countries, it could have been adapted phonetically or graphically. Additionally, surnames related to the root "clot" or the ending "-et" could include variants such as "Clot", "Clotet", "Clotí", which reflect different ways of referring to similar places or geographical features.
In summary, although specific variants of the Pérez-Clotet surname are not available in the data, it is reasonable to assume that, based on linguistic and regional characteristics, there are related forms that reflect phonetic and orthographic evolution in different geographic and temporal contexts.
