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Origin of the Surname Pérez-Marsa
The compound surname Pérez-Marsa presents a geographical distribution that, according to available data, shows a majority presence in Spain, with a 53% incidence, and a residual presence in the United Kingdom (England) and the United States, with 1% in each. This distribution suggests that its probable origin is in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Spain, given that the concentration in this country is significant and greatly exceeds the incidence in other countries. The presence in English-speaking countries, although minimal, could be due to migratory processes and colonization, which have led to the dispersion of Spanish surnames in America and other territories. The current distribution, therefore, allows us to infer that the surname has roots in Spanish culture and language, with possible expansion through colonization and subsequent migrations. The structure of the compound surname also invites an etymological analysis that can clarify its origin and meaning, as well as its historical evolution in the context of the Iberian Peninsula.
Etymology and Meaning of Pérez-Marsa
The surname Pérez-Marsa is composed of two clearly differentiated elements, which indicates that it is a compound surname, probably formed by the union of two surnames or by the adoption of a lineage surname and a toponym or descriptive element. The first part, "Pérez", is a patronymic surname that is widespread in the Iberian Peninsula, especially in Spain and in Latin American countries. The root "Pérez" comes from the proper name "Pedro", with the suffix "-ez", which in ancient and modern Spanish indicates "son of", so "Pérez" means "son of Pedro". This patronymic pattern is characteristic of the Spanish onomastic tradition, which dates back to the Middle Ages, and reflects the importance of paternal names in the formation of family surnames.
On the other hand, the second part, "Marsa", presents a structure that could have several interpretations. In Spanish, "Marsa" is not a common term, but in other languages or in toponymic contexts, it may be related to Arabic or Mediterranean terms. For example, in Arabic, "al-Marsa" (المرفأ) means "the port" or "the dock", and in several regions of North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, especially in areas with Arab influence, toponyms derived from "Marsa" or similar are common. This suggests that "Marsa" could be a toponymic element, indicating a geographical origin close to a port or coastal area.
In linguistic terms, the combination of a patronymic such as "Pérez" with an element that could be toponymic or descriptive such as "Marsa" indicates that the surname could have an origin in a family that, in addition to carrying a patronymic surname, was also linked to a specific place, possibly close to a port or maritime area. The union of these elements in a compound surname can reflect a family history that combines lineage and geographical origin.
From a classification perspective, "Pérez-Marsa" would be a compound surname of a toponymic-patronymic type, where "Pérez" represents the lineage and "Marsa" the reference to a place or geographical feature. The structure suggests that its formation could have occurred in a context in which the family's identification with a specific place was relevant, perhaps in coastal or port areas of southern Spain, where Arab influence was significant during the Middle Ages.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The analysis of the current distribution of the Pérez-Marsa surname, with a majority concentration in Spain, allows us to assume that its origin dates back to the Iberian Peninsula, possibly in regions with strong Arab influence, such as Andalusia or the Levant, where place names and surnames with Arabic roots are frequent. The presence in these areas, combined with the "Marsa" component, which could be related to Arabic terms, reinforces this hypothesis.
During the Middle Ages, the Iberian Peninsula was the scene of intense cultural interaction between Christians, Muslims and Jews, which influenced the formation of surnames and place names. The presence of patronymic surnames such as "Pérez" was consolidated at this time, while place names and names related to maritime geography, such as "Marsa", may have been adopted by families residing near ports or in coastal areas.
The expansion of the surname outside of Spain, in English-speaking countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, is probably due to migration processes in the19th and 20th centuries, when many Spaniards emigrated in search of better opportunities. The residual presence in these countries therefore reflects a relatively recent and limited migration compared to the strong presence in Spain.
The distribution pattern may also be related to colonization in Latin America, where many Spanish surnames spread during colonial times. However, in the available data, the incidence in Latin American countries is not significant, which could indicate that the Pérez-Marsa surname is not one of the most common in that region, or that its dispersion has not yet been widely documented.
In summary, the history of the Pérez-Marsa surname is probably linked to families of Spanish origin, with roots in coastal or port regions, who adopted a compound surname that reflects both their lineage and their geographical origin. The expansion to other countries is the result of modern migrations, with a presence that still maintains its predominantly Spanish character.
Variants of the Surname Pérez-Marsa
As for spelling variants, given that "Pérez" is a very stable surname in its form, the variations are usually minimal or related to the union of the compound surname. It is possible that in some historical records or in different regions, forms such as "Perez-Marsa" without an accent in "Pérez", or even "Perez Marsa" separated, have been found, although these variations are not frequent.
In other languages, especially in Anglophone contexts, the surname could have been adapted to forms such as "Perez-Marsa" or "Perry-Marsa", although there is no documented evidence of these adaptations in the available data. The root "Marsa" could be kept in its original form, since it is a term that, if it comes from Arabic, does not have a common anglicized form.
Relationships with other surnames could include similar patronymic variants, such as "Martínez" instead of "Pérez", or toponymic surnames related to maritime areas, such as "Puerto" or "Marino". However, in the specific case of "Pérez-Marsa", the structure and components appear to be unique and specific, without a wide network of directly related surnames.
