Surname Tijerina - Meaning and Origin

Understanding the Hidden Depths of Personal Heritage: A DNA Journey Through the Tijerina Lineage

Taking the iGENEA DNA test profoundly changed my perception of my personal identity and heritage. The surname Tijerina, which was previously just a name, has acquired deep meaning, representing my multifaceted identity and vast ancestral lineage.

T. Tijerina

Tijerina: What does the surname Tijerina mean?

The surname Tijerina is of Spanish origin and derived from the word "tijera," which means "scissors." This is a habitational name, and it is derived from a house or a location with a specific feature, namely scissors, that likely was used as a landmark. The most likely origin of the name is from the Asturian region of northern Spain.

The literal meaning of the name, then, is from or related to scissors. However, figuratively it is used to refer to anything that is precise, sharp, and/or precise in terms of knowledge or skill. It is also associated with someone who is detail-oriented or detail-focused, since scissors are used for fine cutting and trimming.

This surname is fairly common in the Spanish-speaking world, especially countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, and the families associated with it are often tied together by a shared preference for detail-oriented work or activities. In some cultures, it is even associated with good luck due to the link between scissors and wealth.

Ultimately, the surname Tijerina speaks to the rich history and culture of its bearers and the pride its families take in their detailed-oriented nature and work.

Tijerina: Where does the name Tijerina come from?

The last name Tijerina can be found mainly in Mexico and in parts of the United States, where it is especially common in areas with large Mexican-American populations. The name is derived from a Basque term meaning ‘little smith.’

In the United States, the last name Tijerina is most common in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Colorado. Throughout these states, the name has generally been associated with communities of Mexican descent, indicating the name likely spread to the United States during the mid to late 19th century.

Tijerina has also been recorded in other Latin American countries, including Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Honduras. Like the United States, many of these nations had significant numbers of Spanish-speaking immigrants enter during the 19th century, including people with the last name Tijerina.

The name Tijerina has also been limited to certain regions and certain communities. However, it still boasts a strong presence in many of these areas, particularly Mexico and parts of the American Southwest. The large number of spellings and variations of the name further imply its diverse history and spread throughout various countries and cultures.

Variations of the surname Tijerina

Tijerina is an Spanish surname of Basque origin. Its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Tijar, Tixar, Tixerina, Tixerin, Tixarra, Tixera, Tixario, Tizarra, Tizar, Tizarea, Texerina, Tuixar, Tixerena, and Tizearra.

Tijerina is a combination of the Basque words ‘tijer’ and ‘ina’. ‘Tijer’ means scissors in Basque and ‘ina’ is a common suffix used in Basque names. This suggests that those with the surname Tijerina are a family of scissors makers.

Tijerina is also related to the Castilian surname Tijeras which is derived from the same Basque roots. It is common for Basque surnames to have multiple variants and spellings, so the same is likely true of the Tijerina surname.

In addition, the Tijerina surname can be traced back to the late 12th century. During this period, Spain was ruled by a mix of Germanic, Moorish, Basque and Iberian populations, and the Tijerina surname is believed to have originated during this time.

In modern day Spain and South America, the Tijerina surname is still common, though the variations of the name have evolved over the centuries. Additionally, it is possible to find the surname in the United States, as many of those with the Tijerina surname moved to the US during the 20th century.

Famous people with the name Tijerina

• Reies Lopez Tijerina: Reies Lopez Tijerina was a Mexican-American civil rights activist, leader of the Alianza Federal de Mercedes, and land grant activist in the 1960s. He is best known for leading a raid on the Tierra Amarilla Courthouse in New Mexico in 1967.
• Roy Tijerina: Roy Tijerina is a former professional baseball player. He played in the Major League Baseball from 1973–1978 and had a lifetime batting average of .230.
• Gustavo Tijerina-Sandoval: Gustavo Tijerina-Sandoval is an American sociologist and professor at the University of California, Irvine.
• Carlos Tijerina: Carlos Tijerina is a Mexican former professional boxer who won the WBC super bantamweight title in 1985.
• Maria Eladia Tijerina-Harrison: Maria Eladia Tijerina-Harrison is a Mexican-American lawyer who served in the administration of President George W. Bush as the Southwest Regional Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
• Bob Tijerina: Bob Tijerina is an American former politician and member of the California State Assembly.
• Elizabeth Tijerina: Elizabeth Tijerina is a Mexican-American professor and researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder.
• Fermin Tijerina: Fermin Tijerina is an American physicist, specializing in condensed matter physics and related areas.
• Jose Dionicio Tijerina: Jose Dionicio Tijerina is a former soccer player who played for the Mexican national team in the 1950's.
• Lorenzo Tijerina: Lorenzo Tijerina is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ringname, El Torito.

Other surnames

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