Surname Zavala - Meaning and Origin

Zavala: What does the surname Zavala mean?

The last name Zavala is commonly found in Spanish-speaking countries. It is believed to have originated from the Arabic word "zabal" meaning "horseman". As such, it is thought to have originally been used to denote someone who is skilled in horsemanship.

The surname Zavala has different variants, such as Xabala, Savalla, Zabal, Xavalla, Zabaleta, Zabala, Sabal, Xavier, and Zaballos. It is found in many countries throughout Latin America such as Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru, Honduras, and Guatemala.

The name is believed to have been derived from a military figure in the medieval Basque kingdom of Navarre. Other theories suggest that it could have been derived from the given names Xavier and Sabas, which were both popular in the medieval period.

The name Zavala can be found in the contemporary Callejón de Zavala, an old street in the city of Mexico City. It is named after Antonio de Zavala (1754-1832), a Mexican politician and businessperson.

In recent years, the last name Zavala has become associated with several notable people throughout Latin America. In Mexico, for example, former president Vicente Fox and popular television actress Ninel Conde are among the many people to bear this name.

Overall, the last name Zavala is centuries old and its exact origin remains unclear. It is believed, however, that it has roots in the medieval Basque kingdom of Navarre and has come to be associated with a variety of notable people throughout Latin America.

Zavala: Where does the name Zavala come from?

The last name Zavala is most commonly found in the Latin American countries of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. In Mexico, the surname is especially popular in the states of Chihuahua, Durango, Guanajuato, and Aguascalientes. In Guatemala, it is most prominent in the departments of Huehuetenango and Los Altos. In Honduras, it is most common in the departments of Yoro and El Paraíso.

The Spanish language surname Zavala is thought to have derived from the Visigothic personal name Scevalon, which was likely composed of the tribal name Scef and a suffix –valon. Additionally, the surname is known to have some relation to the word zabal, meaning ‘wide’, which is a reference to the geographical features of the geography where the surname originated.

Today, the surname is widely spread across Latin American and Spanish speaking countries. In the United States, the name is most common in Texas and California as a result of the large influx of Hispanic immigrants in recent times. In addition, many people with the last name of Zavala have emigrated to Europe, the United States, and Australia in the last two centuries, further spreading out the name.

Variations of the surname Zavala

The surname Zavala is an ancient originally Basque surname with some provenances in Andalusian and Sephardic, and possibly French, origins.

Variants:

1. Zabal: This is a variation of Zavala that is commonly found in areas of Spain, Mexico, and the United States with strong Basque communities.

2. Sabala: This is another variation of Zavala that is found in particularly Spanish-speaking areas in Latin America.

3. Xabala: This variant is commonly found in French-speaking Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, such as Puerto Rico, Cuba and Mexico.

Spellings:

1. Zabala: This is the standard spelling of the surname in Spain.

2. Czavala: This is a spelling commonly used in the United States.

3. Tsavala: This is a spelling found particularly in Mexico and Latin America.

Surnames:

1. De Zavala: This is a form of Zavala that is used in areas where Spanish is the primary language.

2. Zabalgrin: This is a surname of Basque origin, derived from the town of Zabalgrin in Spain.

3. Zavasellas: This variation of the surname is typically found in countries such as the United States, where people of Basque or Spanish descent have emigrated.

4. Xaviera: This surname is derived from Xavier, a common name among people of Spanish descent.

Famous people with the name Zavala

• Jimmy Zavala: musician, composer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
• Alejandro Zavala: two-time Olympic hurdler from Mexico.
• Catarina Zavala: entrepreneur, investor, and spokesperson from Mexico.
• Víctor Manuel Zavala: Mexican Olympic wrestler.
• Luis Miguel Zavala: Mexican professional footballer.
• Carlos Zavala: Venezuelan singer and composer.
• Luis Fernando Zavala: Colombian artist, illustrator, and graphic artist.
• Rebeca Zavala: actress from Mexico.
• Isidro Zavala: Chilean actor, television presenter, YouTuber, and musician.
• Linda Zavala: former Mexican ambassador to the United Nations.
• Gabriela Zavala: Mexican-American actress and model.
• Luis Zavala: Venezuelan football player.
• Wendy Zavala: Ecuadorian film and television actress.
• Nahum Zavala: Cuban-Mexican actor, television presenter, and singer.
• Gilda Zavala: Mexican singer and songwriter.
• Carlos Ignacio Zavala: Paraguayan political figure.
• Mabel Zavala: Venezuelan folk singer.
• Jazmin Zavala: Mexican television presenter.
• California Zavala: Venezuelan movie actress.
• Abimael Zavala: Mexican filmmaker and video artist.

Other surnames

Zavalla