Surname Alvaro - Meaning and Origin
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Alvaro: What does the surname Alvaro mean?
The surname Alvaro roots back to Spanish and Italian origins and it is derived from a personal name. The literal meaning of Alvaro in old Germanic is "all guard" or "guard of all." This is derived from the elements "ala” meaning "all" and “wer” meaning "guard". It is often interpreted as 'defender of all' or 'guardian of all.' It may have emerged as a surname from an ancestral figure who was known for their protective nature or leadership. In ancient heritage, it was a common practice to use distinctive traits, occupations, or roles in the community to form surnames. Despite its ancient roots, Alvaro remains a popular first name and surname, particularly in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Order DNA origin analysisAlvaro: Where does the name Alvaro come from?
The surname Alvaro is of Spanish origin dating back to the Visigothic period in Spain. It was derived from the personal name Alvaro, loosely meaning "all-guard" or "guard of all", relating to one who holds the responsibility of guarding. Although it began as a given name, over time, it evolved into a surname.
The Alvaro surname is quite common in Spain, especially in the regions of Madrid, Murcia, Valencia, and Barcelona. However, the surname has also spread globally due to the influence of Spanish colonization. Its presence is significant in several Latin American countries including Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina. Additionally, there are individuals with the Alvaro surname found in Italy, possibly due to historical ties between Spain and Italy. The name's worldwide dispersal also leads to it being found in the United States, the Philippines, and other countries that have been destinations of Spanish emigration or places of Spanish cultural influence.
Variations of the surname Alvaro
The surname Alvaro is of Spanish origin and is derived from the Germanic name Alfher, in which 'Alf' means elf and 'her' refers to the army, hence 'Alvaro' means 'elf army.'
There are not many known variants of the surname Alvaro due to its distinct root and pronunciation. However, some people may spell it as Alvarro or Alvero. There are also instances where the prefix "de" is added, creating de Alvaro, which suggests geographical origin.
The given name Alvaro may be anglicized into Alvar, Alver, Alvie, Alvarus, or Alvario. In Catalan, it is spelled as Àlvar, and in Italian, it is spelled as Alvaro. Turning it into a surname, it may be Alvari, Alvaris, Alvarini, Alvarino, and Alvarucci in Italy.
The surname Alvarez, which means "son of Alvaro," is related to this surname. Another related surname is Alvares primarily used in Portugal.
Remember that the spelling and variants might differ from region to region due to local dialects and language influences.
Famous people with the name Alvaro
- Sid Vicious: born John Simon Ritchie, an English bass player in the punk rock band the Sex Pistols.
- Carlos Alvarado Quesada: the current president of Costa Rica.
- Ana de Alvarado: a Mexican actress and businesswoman.
- Pedro Alvarado: a Spanish conquistador who conquered much of Central America for Spain.
- Eduardo Alvaro: a former Uruguayan footballer who played for Celta Vigo, River Plate, and Montevideo Wanderers.
- Emmanuel Alvarado: a Filipino film producer, actor and director.
- Jorge Alvarado: a Mexican-American actor who has appeared in a number of films and television shows.
- Marcos Alvarado: a Colombian singer and songwriter who has recorded for EMI Latin.
- Stephanie Beatriz Alvarado: an American actress best known for playing Rosa Diaz in the television series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”.
- Lucio Alvaro: a Spanish-language singer from Madrid.