Surname Velez - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling my Ancestral Roots: An Enriching Journey into the Valez Lineage via iGENEA DNA Analysis

Embarking on a journey with iGENEA for a DNA analysis to trace the ancestry of my surname, Velez, has been a fascinating and profound experience. The findings, rooted in the Middle Ages and intertwined with various geographical locations, have significantly augmented my understanding of my own identity.

F. Velez

Velez: What does the surname Velez mean?

The surname Velez has Spanish origins, primarily from the region of Andalusia in southern Spain. It is a geographic or locational surname linked to various places named Vélez in Spain. The name Vélez itself is derived from the Arabic word "ballus" meaning "high castle" or "high rock," referring to a fortified place. The surname was often given to those who originally lived around such areas. Like many surnames, it was passed down through generations to become a family name. Today, the name Velez is prevalent in Spain and Latin America due to historical Spanish colonization. It's important, however, to note that meanings of surnames can vary based on cultural and regional differences.

Velez: Where does the name Velez come from?

The last name Velez is a very common surname today. It is especially prevalent in Latin American countries such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Venezuela. In Mexico, it is the 24th most common surname and in Puerto Rico it ranks eighth.

The origin of the Velez name is thought to have originated from the city of Velez-Malaga in the south of Spain. The Velez family were small landowners there during the Moorish period. The name Velez would have been taken by the family from the word “beles” which comes from the word “bel”, meaning beautiful.

The Velez name is also common in the United States, with the number of people with that last name reaching 6,287 people in 2018. This is nearly 40% more than what it was back in 2000. Most of the Velez’s in the United States trace their origins to Latin America, with a small percentage also coming from Spain and the Philippines.

The Velez last name is common and widely spread throughout the world. If you are someone with the last name Velez, there’s a good chance you have relatives across countries and continents.

Variations of the surname Velez

The surname Velez has an interesting history and appears in many spellings and variations. It has a Spanish ancestry, and is believed to be derived from the Latin word veles, meaning "hunter". In Spain, it is most commonly spelled as "Vélez".

Variant spellings of Velez include Velez, Veles, Velas, Velaes, Velis, Vallez, Veliz, Velez de Guevara, Velez de Ulloa, Velez de Castro, and Veles de Valle. In the United States, the surname can sometimes be found spelled as Veles.

In Latin America, the surname is often shortened to Vel or Vela, and may also take the form of Velas or Velaz. In Portuguese-speaking countries, such as Brazil and Portugal, the surname is sometimes seen spelled as Velez or Veles.

The spelling of the surname also varies depending on region and language. In Italian, the surname is known as Velez or Vele, while in German and Dutch, it is sometimes spelled as Veles. In French and other Latin countries, the surname is seen spelled as Veles.

Surnames of the same origin as Velez include Beles, Veldez, Balestre, and Ballez. These surnames are also often seen spelled with slight variations, such as Belés, Veldes, and Balles.

No matter the spelling, Velez and its variants are believed to have the same origin. The surname was likely adopted by people who were professional hunters, wandering the Spanish countryside and taking employment as hunters or outdoorsmen for wealthy landowners.

Famous people with the name Velez

• Anthony Velez: Puerto Rican actor, producer and writer.
• Tomas Velez: Puerto Rican actor, director and producer.
• Elizabeth Velez: Puerto Rican actress and model.
• Stephanie Velez: Puerto Rican model and actress.
• Maritza Velez: American actress and singer.
• Michael Velez: American actor and musical artist.
• Ismael Velez: Puerto Rican actor, filmmaker and producer.
• Mónica Velez: Venezuelan actress and model.
• John Velez: Colombian multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter.
• Lourdes Velez: Cuban-American songwriter and actress.
• George Velez: American actor, director and producer.
• Kenia Velez: Puerto Rican dancer and choreographer.
• Carlos Velez: Guatemalan actor, writer and director.
• Jessica Velez: Dominican model and actress.
• Monique Velez: American actress and producer.
• Paloma Velez: Spanish DJ, singer and songwriter.
• Bernardo Velez: Spanish-born Mexican actor and director.
• Mario Velez: Ecuadorian actor, model and presenter.
• Lee Velez: American artist and fashion designer.
• Jorge Velez: Colombian actor and musician.

Other surnames

VelenderVeley