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Origin of the Surname Pérez-Miranda
The compound surname Pérez-Miranda presents a geographical distribution that, currently, reveals a significant presence in Spanish-speaking countries, especially in the United States (9), Spain (5), Chile (1), and to a lesser extent in countries such as the United Kingdom, the Philippines and Puerto Rico. The concentration in the United States and Spain, together with the presence in Latin America, suggests that its origin is probably linked to the Hispanic tradition, with roots in the Iberian Peninsula and a subsequent expansion through migratory and colonial processes. The incidence in the United States, although lower compared to other surnames, may reflect recent migrations or the presence of Spanish-speaking communities that preserve the surname. The distribution in Latin American countries, especially in Chile and Puerto Rico, reinforces the hypothesis of a Spanish origin, given that these countries were colonized by Spain and maintain a strong Spanish cultural and linguistic influence.
Etymology and Meaning of Pérez-Miranda
The compound surname Pérez-Miranda combines two clearly differentiated elements, each with its own etymology and meaning. The first part, "Pérez", is a patronymic surname of Spanish origin, which derives from the proper name Pedro, with the suffix "-ez", characteristic in the formation of surnames in the Iberian Peninsula. This suffix means "son of", so "Pérez" is interpreted as "son of Pedro". The patronymic structure is very common in Spanish tradition, and its use dates back to the Middle Ages, when surnames began to be consolidated as forms of family and territorial identification.
The second part, "Miranda", has a toponymic origin and can also be used as a surname. "Miranda" comes from the Latin "mirandus", meaning "worthy to be seen" or "wonderful", and in Spanish tradition, it is associated with places that bear that name, or with physical or geographical features that evoke beauty or uniqueness. In some cases, "Miranda" can refer to a locality or a territory, and in others, to a descriptive quality of the family or lineage.
Taken together, the surname Pérez-Miranda can be interpreted as "son of Pedro" which comes from or is associated with a place or feature called Miranda. The combination of a patronymic with a toponymic is relatively common in the formation of compound surnames in Hispanic culture, especially in contexts where families sought to distinguish themselves or reflect their lineage and geographical origin.
From a linguistic point of view, the structure of the surname clearly reflects its origin in the Spanish language, with elements that are characteristic of the formation of surnames in the Iberian Peninsula. The presence of the hyphen in the compound form indicates a formal union of two surnames that, in some cases, may have been the result of the union of families or the need to distinguish themselves in official records or in specific social contexts.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The origin of the surname Pérez-Miranda, based on its composition and current distribution, probably dates back to the Iberian Peninsula, specifically to regions where the patronymic and toponymic tradition was strong during the Middle Ages. The presence of the patronymic "Pérez" indicates that the family may have had roots in a lineage that traces back to an ancestor named Pedro, a common figure in Christian tradition and Spanish history. The addition of "Miranda" suggests that the family may have been linked to a place or territory with that name, or that the family acquired that surname due to some geographical characteristic or due to the possession of land in an area called Miranda.
The expansion of the surname towards America, especially in countries such as Chile and Puerto Rico, can be explained by the colonization and migration processes that took place from the 16th century onwards. Spanish colonization led many families to settle in new territories, taking with them their surnames and traditions. The presence in the United States, although smaller, may reflect more recent migrations, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries, when Hispanic communities began to consolidate in that country.
The distribution pattern may also be influenced by internal movements in the Iberian Peninsula, where families with the surname Pérez-Miranda may have migrated from rural regions to urban centers, or by marriages and family alliances that consolidated the surname in different areas. The presence in countries like the Philippines, which wasa Spanish colony, may also be a vestige of colonial expansion, although to a lesser extent, given that the incidence there is very low.
In summary, the current distribution of the Pérez-Miranda surname seems to reflect a root in Spanish tradition, with a subsequent dispersion through colonization and internal and external migrations. The presence in the United States and Latin American countries is consistent with the historical patterns of Spanish migration and colonization in America, which favored the spread of Hispanic surnames in these regions.
Variants of the Pérez-Miranda Surname
As for variants of the surname, it is likely that there are different spelling forms or regional adaptations, especially in contexts where the writing or pronunciation differs. For example, in some ancient records or in different countries, the surname could appear without a hyphen, such as "Pérez Miranda", or with variations in the spelling of "Miranda", such as "Miranda" or "Miranada".
In other languages, especially in Anglo-Saxon contexts, the compound surname may have adapted to forms such as "Perez Miranda" or even "Perez de Miranda", although these variations are less frequent. The root "Pérez" may be related to other similar patronymic surnames in different regions, such as "Pereira" in Portugal or "Peréz" in some areas of Latin America, although these do not necessarily share a direct origin.
It is also possible that there are related surnames that share the root "Miranda", such as "De Miranda" or "Mirandilla", which could be considered variants or surnames with a common root. Phonetic and orthographic adaptation in different countries may have given rise to regional forms, but in general, the structure of the compound surname Pérez-Miranda clearly reflects its origin in the Hispanic tradition.
