Surname Aras - Meaning and Origin
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Aras: What does the surname Aras mean?
The last name Aras is of mixed Spanish and Greek origin. It is a topographical or locational name that can be used to refer to someone who lived near a stream or river, derived from the Greek word "aras" which means "river". In some cases, the surname Aras is used as a diminutive form of the name Aravantinos. It is also a variant of the plural Spanish surname Aras-Echabe.
One of the earliest written records of the surname Aras can be found in the Archivos Históricos Diocesanos de Salamanca in Spain, dated to 1591. It is likely that the original bearers of this surname were natives of Salamanca. In the modern day, the surname Aras can be found in both Spain and Greece, as well as other countries around the world due to immigration.
The name Aras is quite uncommon, and those who have the last name may be interested in discovering its origins and meaning. If that is the case, they may seek out further information from professional genealogists or from Spanish or Greek archives. With a little research, they may be able to trace back their roots to ancient Greece, Spain, or even before.
Order DNA origin analysisAras: Where does the name Aras come from?
The last name Aras is most commonly found in Turkey and other countries with significant populations of ethnic Turks, such as Germany and the United States. This is likely because Aras is a Turkish name, derived from the ancient name of the Aras River in Armenia. In Turkey, the Aras name is particularly common in the provinces of Van and Siirt; in the cities of Van, Siirt, Hakkari, and Ağrı, they account for one percent or more of the population. In Germany, records show that Aras is one of the top sixty most common surnames in the regions of Bavaria and Hessen--two regions with sizable Turkish populations. In the United States, it is most common in the states of California, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. These states have some of the largest numbers of Turkish Americans and other ethnic Turks, making it unsurprising that Aras is common there as well. Interestingly, some records even suggest that there may be a sizable population of Aras in the United Kingdom, especially in London and Birmingham.
Variations of the surname Aras
The Aras surname originates from the Basque region of Spain, specifically from the hill town of Aranaz in the province of Navarre. It is believed that the surname first began as a patronymic, meaning "son of Aranaz". The surname is most commonly spelled Aras, but it has several other variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, including Aranz, Arraus, Arras, Eras, Eraus, Errasco, Erazo, Errazo, and Arazo.
The surname Aras is generally believed to have been inherited through the male line. In Basque culture, a patronymic, often formed from a father's name, is passed down from one generation to another in the male line, regardless of whether a change of surname is taken. This means that if a person was known by another last name, the surname Aras could have been used by any ancestors in the paternal line, but remained that individual's patronymic.
In addition to the spellings listed above, the surname Aras may be found with variants including Arau, Araus, de Ara, de Araus, de Aranz, and de Arauz. Depending on the jurisdiction or region, the spelling of the surname may be pronounced differently. For example, in some Spanish speaking countries, "Aras" may become "Ares".
Recent surname studies note that the Aras surname is common in both Spain and parts of Latin America. As the Basque culture played an important role in their colonization, it is believed that some individuals carrying the Aras surname may have arrived to the Americas from Europe in the 16th century.
In contemporary times, the surname Aras may be found in countries like Spain, the United States, Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Chile, and Venezuela.
Famous people with the name Aras
- Mert Aras: Mert Aras is a Turkish footballer who currently plays as a defender for the club FCBS Aarau in Switzerland's Swiss Challenge League.
- Abdullah Aras: Abdullah Aras is a famous Turkish actor known for his starring roles on numerous television series.
- Vakur Aras: Vakur Aras is a Turkish journalist and businessman. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of the news portal T24.
- Harun Aras: Harun Aras is a prominent Turkish politician who currently serves as the mayor of Osmaniye, a city in south-central Turkey.
- Kadir Aras: Kadir Aras is a Turkish motorcycle racer who currently competes in the Turkish National Road Racing Championship.
- Atilla Aras: Atilla Aras is a Turkish football coach who currently serves as the manager of the Turkish club Çanakkale Dardanelspor.
- Doğan Aras: Doğan Aras is a Turkish basketball player who currently plays for the team Bahçeşehir College in the Turkish Basketball Super League.
- Aziz Aras: Aziz Aras is a prominent Turkish lawyer and politician who served as a member of the 19th Grand National Assembly.
- Metin Aras: Metin Aras is a famous Turkish actor best known for his roles in numerous television series, films, and stage plays.
- Mustafa Aras: Mustafa Aras is a Turkish physician and politician who serves as the Minister of Health for Turkey.