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Origin of the Surname Rodríguez-Carmona
The compound surname "Rodríguez-Carmona" presents a geographical distribution that, according to available data, reveals a significant presence in Spain, with a 24% incidence, and a minor presence in countries in North and Central America, such as the United States (3%), Canada (1%), Puerto Rico (1%) and the United Kingdom (1%). The main concentration in Spanish territory, together with the presence in Spanish-speaking communities and in English-speaking countries, suggests that its origin is probably Spanish, specifically linked to the tradition of compound surnames that combine a patronymic with a toponym or a surname of family origin. The dispersion in English-speaking countries and in Latin American territories can be explained by migratory processes and colonization, which have spread Spanish surnames over the centuries. The notable incidence in Spain, together with its presence in regions with a strong history of colonization and migration, allows us to infer that the surname has roots in the Iberian Peninsula, possibly in some region where the tradition of compound and patronymic surnames was especially deep-rooted.
Etymology and Meaning of Rodríguez-Carmona
The surname «Rodríguez-Carmona» is composed of two clearly differentiated elements, each with its own root and meaning. The first part, "Rodríguez", is a patronymic surname that derives from the proper name "Rodrigo", with the patronymic suffix "-ez", characteristic of medieval Castilian, which indicates "son of". Therefore, "Rodríguez" means "son of Rodrigo." The name "Rodrigo" has Germanic roots, specifically in the word "Hrodric", composed of "hrod" (fame, glory) and "ric" (power, king), which gives it a meaning of "powerful in fame" or "glorious king." The presence of this patronymic in the Iberian Peninsula dates back to the Middle Ages, when the adoption of patronymic surnames was consolidated in the peninsula after the Reconquista and the formation of differentiated family identities.
On the other hand, "Carmona" is a toponymic surname that refers to the town of Carmona, located in the province of Seville, in Andalusia. The etymology of "Carmona" could derive from the Latin "Carmona" or "Carmonae", which in turn could have roots in an ancient indigenous name or a term related to the geography or history of the region. The presence of this surname in the toponymy indicates that at some point, the families that adopted "Carmona" had ties to that town, either by family origin, land ownership or residence.
The compound surname "Rodríguez-Carmona" can be classified as a patronymic-toponymic surname, since it combines a patronymic that indicates family lineage with a toponym that indicates a specific geographical origin. The structure of the surname suggests that at some point, a family with the patronymic surname "Rodríguez" was associated or linked to the town of Carmona, thus forming a composite surname that reflects both its lineage and its territorial origin.
In linguistic terms, the surname clearly reflects the Spanish tradition of forming compound surnames, especially in regions where nobility, land or lineage had social and cultural importance. The presence of the suffix "-ez" in "Rodríguez" is one of the distinctive features of the patronymic in the Iberian Peninsula, while "Carmona" as a toponym is typical of surnames that indicate geographical origin in the Hispanic tradition.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The surname "Rodríguez-Carmona" probably has its origin in the region of Andalusia, specifically in the province of Seville, where the town of Carmona has historically been an important center since Roman and Muslim times. The formation of compound surnames in this region may have occurred in the Middle Ages, when noble and rural families began to adopt names that reflected both their lineage and their territory of origin.
The significant presence in Spain, with a 24% incidence, indicates that the surname was consolidated in the peninsula during the Middle Ages and the Modern Age, possibly in the context of the Reconquista and the consolidation of regional identities. The expansion towards Latin America, particularly Puerto Rico, and towards English-speaking countries such as the United States and Canada, can be explained by the migratory movements that began in the 16th and 17th centuries, with the Spanish colonization in America and subsequent migrations in search of better conditions.economic.
The dispersion in English-speaking territories, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, is probably due to modern migrations, in which families with roots in Spain took their surname to new contexts, adapting in some cases to orthographic or phonetic variations. The presence in Canada may also be related to migrations of the 20th century, within the framework of the Hispanic and European diaspora.
The current distribution pattern, with a concentration in Spain and presence in America, suggests that the surname "Rodríguez-Carmona" originated in the Iberian Peninsula and expanded mainly through colonial and migratory processes, maintaining its composite structure as a symbol of lineage and territorial origin.
Variants of the Rodríguez-Carmona Surname
As for spelling variants, since the surname "Rodríguez-Carmona" is relatively specific and compound, not many different forms are recorded in historical records. However, in some cases, in regions where spelling was not standardized, variants such as "Rodriguez-Carmona" (without an accent on the "i"), or simply "Rodriguez Carmona" (without a hyphen) could have been observed. The presence of compound surnames in different countries can give rise to phonetic or orthographic adaptations, especially in Anglophone contexts, where the hyphenated conjunction can vary or disappear.
In other languages, especially in English-speaking countries, the surname could have been adapted to forms such as "Rodriguez Carmona" or "Rodriguez-Carmona", maintaining the structure, but adapting to local conventions. Furthermore, in migration contexts, some descendants could have simplified or modified the surname to facilitate its pronunciation or social integration.
Relationships with other surnames with a common root, such as "Rodríguez" or "Carmona", are evident, but they do not constitute direct variants of the compound surname. However, in genealogy, it is possible to find families that, at different times, have adopted abbreviated or modified forms, depending on social and cultural circumstances.