Surname Pelayo - Meaning and Origin

Pelayo: What does the surname Pelayo mean?

The surname Pelayo is of Spanish origin and is predominantly found in the northern region of Spain, Asturias. It is believed to be derived from the Visigothic personal name 'Pelagius', which is in turn derived from the Greek word 'pelagios' meaning 'of the sea'. This surname was made prominent by a historical figure, King Pelayo of Asturias, who was a Visigothic nobleman and the first monarch of the Kingdom of Asturias. He began the Christian reconquest of Spain after his victory at the Battle of Covadonga, driving the Moors out of northern Spain. His legacy made the name Pelayo very popular in Spain and his descendants are thought to have adopted it as a surname. Therefore, individuals with the surname Pelayo may be descendants of this noble lineage or might trace their roots back to the northern region of Spain.

Pelayo: Where does the name Pelayo come from?

The last name Pelayo is most commonly associated with Spain, primarily occurring in the larger cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. The name is of Spanish or Iberian origin and is thought to be derived from the Latin personal name Apollinaris. It is also quite prevalent in Latin American countries such as Colombia, Peru, Mexico, and Argentina, as the Spanish influence carried this surname to various regions across the world.

The Pelayo family name is mainly found in the northern regions of Spain where they were originally from. In the past, the Pelayo family rose to considerable wealth and influence in this region, granting them position and titles. Today, the Pelayo last name continues to be quite widespread in Spain, particularly in the Basque Country, Galicia, Asturias, and Madrid.

Outside of Spain, the Pelayo surname is present in various countries, with a large number of individuals bearing the name in Latin American countries such as Colombia, Peru, Mexico, and Argentina. Additionally, records show that Pelayo family members have lived in the United States since the 19th century, with some families migrating to Florida, California, and New York. Today, there are still many individuals with this surname living in various parts of the US and the world.

Variations of the surname Pelayo

The surname Pelayo is of Spanish origin and is derived from the Latin word Pelagius, meaning ‘of the sea’. It is a patronymic surname, meaning that its bearer was the son of a man named Pelayo. There are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, which include Pelaez, Pelayes, Pelayo, Pelegio, Pellegio, Pelagio, Pellicio, Pelageo, Pelagius, Pelegius and Palacios.

Many of the variants of the surname Pelayo are quite rare and were primarily used in Spain or in countries that make up the Hispanic world. In Spain, the surname was historically popular in the regions of Navarra, Catalonia, Castiles and León, Galicia and Aragon. In the Americas, the variants of the surname Pelayo are mostly found in the United States, Latin America and Puerto Rico.

The variants of the surname can also be phonetically derived and are used to accommodate pronunciation difficulties of the language of origin. For example, the surname Pelaez is derived from Pelayo and is a popular phonetic variation found in Spanish-speaking countries. Similarly, the surname Palacios is derived from Pelayo and is found in many countries throughout Latin America.

The Pelayo surname can also be found with a variety of spellings, including Pelayez, Pelayes, Pelaelo, Palayas, Pelagio and Pelegio. In early Spanish records, the surname Pelayo was often written with an acute accent over the second syllable, such as Pélayo, to denote the pronunciation of the name. The surname is also found with the prefix ‘de’ meaning ‘of’ (e.g., de Pelayo).

Famous people with the name Pelayo

• Gaspar Pelayo: a Spanish actor best known for his role in the television series Cuéntame cómo pasó.
• Elisa Pérez Pelayo: a Spanish actress and model.
• Antonio Pelayo: a Spanish actor and director from Madrid.
• María Pérez Pelayo: a Spanish actress and screenwriter.
• Francisco Pelayo: a Spanish painter and sculptor.
• Óscar Pelayo: a former professional footballer who played for several clubs in Spain and France.
• Francisco Carreras de la Pelayo: a Spanish actor best known for his roles in Elio, el piojo and El milagro de P. Tinto.
• Asunción Pérez Pelayo: a Spanish cross country skier who competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics.
• Pilar Pérez Pelayo: a Spanish actress best known for her roles in Elio, el piojo and Gitano.
• José Pelayo: a Spanish actor best known for his roles in El milagro de P. Tinto.
• Enrique Pérez Pelayo: a Spanish journalist and television presenter.
• Mario Pelayo: a Spanish actor and voice actor best known for his roles in the television series Cuéntame cómo pasó and El cálido invierno de las sombras.
• Fernando Pérez Pelayo: a Spanish actor and director best known for his roles in El milagro de P. Tinto and Gitano.
• Vicente Pelayo: a Spanish athlete who competed at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris.
• Juan Pérez Pelayo: a Spanish painter and illustrator best known for his artwork featured in the science fiction television series Doctor Saxo.

Other surnames

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