The Roman heritage continues to resonate in contemporary Spain, leaving a deep imprint in aspects such as law, language, politics, culture and, notably, in today’s surnames.
The connection between Barcelona and the Roman nobility is revealed through a fascinating exploration of the surnames that have endured over the centuries.
Over the centuries, different peoples and communities have left their mark on the Iberian Peninsula, contributing to the cultural and genetic richness of the region.
The Celts, who arrived between the 8th and 6th centuries BC, have left their mark in surnames ending in ‘ez’, such as Rodríguez or Fernández. The Arabs, with their lasting influence, have also contributed to the diversity of surnames in Spain.
However, the Roman Empire, despite the temporal distance, has maintained a strong cultural connection with the Spanish present. From laws and policies to language and surnames, the Roman influence lingers in the very essence of society.
Barcelona’s surnames and Roman heritage
Barcelona has its own surnames that carry with them the weight of Roman history. How do you know if your lineage has roots in Roman nobility? These are some of the most common surnames in Barcelona that could indicate a Roman ancestry.
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Garcia
The most common surname in Spain, García, is also among the most frequent in Barcelona. Although various theories have been formed about its origin, one of them links it directly to the Roman Empire. The Catalan version of this surname, present in 104,575 Barcelonians as the first surname and 109,477 as the second, reflects a deep connection with ancient Rome.
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Romero
With 16,931 people born in Barcelona carrying this surname as their first name, the origin of the Romero surname is also associated with ancient Rome. The word ‘romero’ has its origin in the Castilian word meaning “pilgrim” or “person who has gone on a pilgrimage to Rome”. This suggests a possible connection with those who undertook journeys to the Eternal City during the Middle Ages.
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Expósito and 4. Costa
Other surnames present in the province of Barcelona that could indicate Roman ancestry are Expósito, repeated in 7,105 people from Barcelona, and Costa, appearing in the national identity card of 12,428 people born in the province, either as first or second surname.
The etymology of surnames
The etymology of surnames reveals fascinating stories about genealogy and evolution over time. In the case of surnames such as Garcia, which is derived from the Germanic ‘Garcia’, related to the Roman name ‘Garcia’ meaning ‘bear’.
Most of the most common surnames in Spain, such as Rodríguez, González, Fernández, López, Martínez, Sánchez, Pérez and Gómez, end in ‘ez’ and mean “son of”.
