Surname Caravajal - Meaning and Origin
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Caravajal: What does the surname Caravajal mean?
The surname Caravajal is of Spanish origin and is derived from the town Caravajal in the province of Salamanca, Spain. The name itself means "dear valley" or "dear plain" which is taking from the elements 'cara' meaning dear, and 'vajal' referring to valley or plain. This surname is considered to be of toponymic nature as it is associated with geographic features, often the place or region where the initial bearer lived or held land. Surnames like this were often given to individuals after they migrated from their place of origin to new areas, to identify them. The different spellings such as Carabajal, Carvajal, Carabajal, are due to regional linguistic variations. It is a common surname in the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities of the Iberian Peninsula. It is also found in the Americas due to Spanish colonization. The renowned Carvajal family in Spain held ranks within the church, military, and nobility throughout history. Besides, it's recognized for producing an admiral, Luis de Carvajal, and a saint, Teresa de Carvajal. It is a surname that carries tradition and historical weight.
Order DNA origin analysisCaravajal: Where does the name Caravajal come from?
The last name Caravajal originally comes from Spain, specifically from the Old Castile region which is in the northern central part of the country. The name itself is derived from the place name Carvajal. This place name is made up of two parts, "cara" means face and "val" means valley, so the name can be interpreted as "face of the valley."
There are variations of the name such as Carvajal, Carabajal and Carabajal. These family names are widely spread throughout the Spanish-speaking world due to the migrations that occurred during the Spanish colonial empire from the 15th to 19th centuries.
Nowadays, the last name Caravajal is common in many Spanish-speaking countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Spain, Peru, and Argentina. It’s also found in the United States, particularly within Hispanic communities. Despite its Spanish origin, the last name has been adopted by many families in the Sephardic Jewish community. This is likely related to the Inquisition, when many Jews converted to Catholicism and adopted Spanish surnames.
Variations of the surname Caravajal
The surname Caravajal has several spelling variants and associated surnames due to regional differences, translation errors, and personal preferences over the years. Some common variations include Carvajal, Carabajal, Carabajel, Caravajel, Carvagal, and Carbagal. Similar surnames that may share the same origin are Caraballo and Caraballoso.
The name primarily comes from Spain and is a habitational name from places called Carvajal, which is derived from "Carvejal" in Old Spanish. This often denotes a family that originated from these places. Variants of Caravajal may also be seen in Portuguese (Carvalhal) and Italian (Caravaglio) due to linguistic similarities and migration.
The surname may be subject to further spelling variations in different countries. For instance, in English-speaking countries, the surname might be spelled phonetically as Karvahal or Carvahal. In some Latin American countries, it is common to see the spelling variant Carabajal.
Note that while these names share similar spelling and phonetics, they may not share the same origin or lineage. Each variant may have developed independently in different regions or families, representing unique histories and narratives.
Famous people with the name Caravajal
- Luis de Carvajal y de la Cueva: A Spanish-Portuguese colonial governor and pioneer in New Spain (Mexico) with Crypto-Jew roots.
- Juan Carvajal: A 15th-century Spanish cardinal.
- Diego Carvajal: A Spanish artist.
- Abraham Senior Teixeira de Carvajal: A prominent British Sephardic Rabbi.
- Luis de Carvajal (a.k.a "El Mozo"): A martyr during the Spanish Inquisition.
- Francisco Carvajal: Interim President of Mexico in 1914.
- Francisco Rodríguez Carvajal: A Spanish infectious disease specialist.
- Yeferson Soteldo: A Venezuelan footballer, full name Yeferson Julio Soteldo Carvajal.
- Francisco de Assis Carvalho e Silva Carvajal: A Brazilian politician.
- Karina Carvajal: A Bolivian actress.
- Patricia Carvajal: A Chilean politician.
- Gabriel Pérez de Carvajal: A renowned Spanish historian.
- Gaspar de Carvajal: A 16th-century Spanish Dominican friar who is famous for chronicling the expedition along the Amazon River.
- Antonio de Carvajal: 17th-century Spanish lyric poet.
- Aurelio Carvajal: A renowned Mexican boxing trainer.
- Benjamin N. Caravajal: A Two-Star U.S. Army General and Deputy Commander for mobilization and reserve affairs. Please note that the spelling may vary as Caravajal, Carvajal, or Carvalhal depending on regional usage.