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Origin of the Surname Pérez-Maura
The surname Pérez-Maura presents a geographical distribution that, according to available data, shows a significant presence in Spain, with an incidence of 30%, and a minor presence in the United Kingdom, with 1%. This distribution suggests that its probable origin is in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Spain, given that the highest concentration is located in this country. The presence in the United Kingdom, although minimal, could be due to subsequent migration processes, such as movements of individuals or families who took the surname to other countries. The notable incidence in Spain, combined with its presence in Spanish-speaking regions in Latin America, reinforces the hypothesis that the surname has roots in the Spanish onomastic tradition, possibly with an origin dating back to the Middle Ages or even earlier, in the context of the formation of patronymic and toponymic surnames in the Iberian Peninsula.
Etymology and Meaning of Pérez-Maura
The surname Pérez-Maura is composed of two clearly differentiated elements, which indicates that it is a compound surname, possibly the result of the union of two lineages or families. The first part, "Pérez", is a very common patronymic surname in Spanish tradition, which derives from the proper name Pedro, with the suffix "-ez" meaning "son of". Therefore, "Perez" can be interpreted as "son of Peter." The root "Peter" comes from the Latin "Petrus", which in turn has roots in the Greek "petros", which means "stone" or "rock", symbolizing strength or solidity.
The second part, "Maura", can have several interpretations. In some cases, "Maura" may be a feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from "Maurus", meaning "swarthy" or "dark", or it may also be related to the Mauritania region of North Africa, although in the context of Spanish surnames, it is more likely to be a given name or place name. Alternatively, "Maura" could derive from a toponymic term or a surname of Basque or Galician origin, although there is no conclusive evidence in this regard.
In terms of classification, "Pérez" would clearly be a patronymic surname, derived from a proper name, while "Maura" could be considered a toponymic surname or a proper name that, in the context of the union, forms a compound surname. The structure suggests that "Pérez-Maura" could have originally been a surname composed to distinguish a specific family or lineage, possibly of noble origin or of some regional relevance, which combined both elements to reflect their ancestry or territory of origin.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The most probable origin of the surname Pérez-Maura is located in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Spain, where patronymic surnames such as Pérez were consolidated since the Middle Ages. The formation of compound surnames, as in this case, could have occurred in contexts of nobility, clergy or families of certain social relevance that sought to distinguish themselves through the union of different lineages or territories.
The significant presence in Spain, with an incidence of 30%, indicates that the surname may have originated in a specific region, possibly in areas where the patronymic tradition was strong, such as Castile, Aragon or Catalonia. The history of the Iberian Peninsula, marked by the Reconquista, the formation of kingdoms and the consolidation of the nobility, favored the creation and transmission of surnames that reflected lineages, occupations or territories.
The expansion of the surname towards Latin America, although not reflected in the specific data, can be inferred from the history of Spanish colonization, which brought numerous surnames to the American colonies from the 16th century onwards. The presence in Latin American countries would, therefore, be the result of migrations and colonization, consolidating the spread of the surname in regions with strong Spanish influence.
On the other hand, the presence in the United Kingdom, although minimal, could be due to migratory movements in modern times, such as European migration or commercial and diplomatic relations that facilitated the arrival of families with this surname. However, given that the incidence in the United Kingdom is very low, it can be considered that its main origin and expansion occurred in the context of the Iberian Peninsula and, later, in the American colonies.
In summary, the current distribution of the surname Pérez-Maura suggests an origin in the Spanish patronymic tradition, with probable formation in some region of Castile or Aragon, and a laterexpansion through colonization and migration to America and other countries.
Variants of the Surname Pérez-Maura
Variant spellings of the Pérez-Maura surname could include unhyphenated forms, such as Perez Maura, or adaptations in other languages, although there are no clear records of widely spread international variants. In Spanish tradition, it is common for compound surnames to maintain their original form, although in some cases, especially in immigration records or in Anglo-Saxon countries, they could be simplified or adapted to local spelling.
In relation to related surnames, those that share the root "Pérez" or that contain elements similar to "Maura" could include patronymic or toponymic surnames derived from regions or proper names. The influence of different dialects and languages on the peninsula may also have generated small phonetic or orthographic variations in the past.
In short, although specific variants are not identified in the available data, it is plausible that there are regional or historical forms that reflect the evolution of the surname in different linguistic and cultural contexts.
