Surname De Acuña - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
De Acuña: What does the surname De Acuña mean?
The last name De Acuña is a Spanish patronymic surname derived from the Spanish place-name Acuña, meaning “from Acuña”. The place-name Acuña is derived from the Latin word aqua, meaning “water”. The surname likely originally referred to someone who came from or lived in a place near a body of water.
The surname De Acuña also has its roots in Spanish nobility, as the town of Acuña is of noble origin. In the 15th century, Spanish nobles would take the name of a place when they settled in a new territory or inherited an estate, and a branch of the noble family of Acuña soon spread across Spain’s provinces and even upwards into Portugal.
The surname De Acuña is still prominent today, specifically in Spain and Mexico. It still holds many of its original meanings, in both the sense of being derived from a place with a body of water and also in its symbolization of a noble Spanish origin. Those with the surname can be proud to carry on the family heritage and noble past.
Order DNA origin analysisDe Acuña: Where does the name De Acuña come from?
The last name De Acuña is most commonly found today in Latin America, particularly in Mexico, Peru, Guatemala and Argentina. It is the 40th most common surname in Mexico and the 32nd most common in Peru. According to records, the earliest instances of the last name appeared in Spain circa 1499.
In addition to the countries referenced above, individuals bearing this last name can also be found in Chile, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Spain and the United States.
It is believed that the De Acuña family originated from one of two places: the town of Cuenca, in the province of Castile-La Mancha, ort he city of Acuña, located in the Community of Madrid.
Today, individuals of the De Acuña family are spread across the world. They include prominent figures such as historian J. Francisco de Acuña, the 15th century Spanish explorer Francisco de Acuña, the 17th century Mexican poet and critic Tomás de Acuña and the 18th century Argentine bishop Juan Cruz de Acuña.
Variations of the surname De Acuña
The surname De Acuña is a patronymic name derived from the Spanish name Acuña, which is itself derived from the town of Acuña in Galicia, Spain. The root of this name is ascribed to the Latin word aqua, which literally means “water”.
De Acuña is the Spanish spelling of this surname, but in other countries it is also spelled differently. In Portugal, for instance, the same surname is spelled De Acuino. In Brazil, the name is spelled Acunha and is sometimes shortened to Acu.
Variations of the surname include Acuña, Acuino, Acuino de Acuña, Acuion, Acuina, Acuini, Acunha, Acunha de Acuña, Acunio, De Acuina, De Acuino, and De Acunha.
In terms of alternate surnames of the same origin as De Acuña, there are several. These include Acuna, Aquina, Aquino, Acunio, Acuiona, and Acuino. These surnames likely originated through generational variation or different immigration experiences of individuals with the same origin.
Lastly, notable individuals with the surname De Acuña include Portuguese theologian and missionary Francisco Torres de Acuña, Argentine Air Force General Osvaldo Acuña, and Mexican actor and singer Carlos Acuña.
Famous people with the name De Acuña
- Alfonso de Acuña: Alfonso de Acuña was a Spanish explorer and navigator, best remembered for the expedition he led that guided the discovery of the Amazon River.
- Francisco de Acuña: Francisco de Acuña was a Spanish painter active in the Spanish court in the late 16th century.
- Manuel de Acuña: Manuel de Acuña was a Mexican poet, journalist and playwright.
- Dionisio de Acuña: Dionisio de Acuña was a Spanish naval officer in 16th century Cartagena, and a pioneer of navigation techniques.
- Francisco Javier de Acuña: Francisco Javier de Acuña was an 18th century Spanish Bishop and academic.
- Lola de Acuña: Lola de Acuña is a contemporary Spanish novelist best known for her novels about post-civil war Spain.
- Bartolomé de Acuña: Bartolomé de Acuña was a 16th century Spanish explorer and navigator who explored Mexico and the Caribbean.
- Manuel de Acuña Sánchez: Manuel de Acuña Sánchez was a 16th century Spanish Jesuit priest, explorer, and historian of the New World.
- Hernán de Acuña: Hernán de Acuña was a 16th century Spanish admiral.
- Antonio de Acuña y Aberrucia: Antonio de Acuña y Aberrucia was a Spanish admiral and colonial director in the Caribbean.