Surname Virginia - Meaning and Origin

Virginia: What does the surname Virginia mean?

The last name Virginia is of Spanish origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. Its meaning is unknown, but it is speculated that it might either be a form of the name Guinevera, meaning "fair one," or a form of the Latin Virgineus, meaning "virgin." The latter interpretation is a reference to the Roman goddess of chastity and morality, Virgo.

The last name Virginia is found throughout the Americas, especially in Spain and its former colonies. It is also popular in Portugal, as it is a Spanish version of the Portuguese name Guinevera. Its variations are quite numerous, including Virginia, Virenia, Guyneth, and Virgínia.

At least two US states have been named after the last name Virginia: West Virginia and Virginia. While the exact origin of the name is unknown, it is believed to come from either Queen Elizabeth I of England (1533-1603), who was nicknamed 'The Virgin Queen' for her religious chastity, or from the state of Virginia, which was named after Queen Elizabeth of England.

In literature, Virginia is the name of several characters, such as the heroine of Thomas Otway's play Virginia (1680), which is based on a classical legend about a daughter who sacrificed her life for her father's honor. Virginia has also been used as a poetic name, such as in Sir Walter Raleigh's famous lyric poem 'The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd' (1600).

The last name Virginia today is still popular in Spanish-speaking countries and in the United States, where it is associated with royalty, virtue, and romance.

Virginia: Where does the name Virginia come from?

Virginia is a state name with early colonial connections, but it is also a widely distributed surname today. While the name is not common in the United States, Virginia is found in records across the world. It is a widespread surname found in countries such as Spain, Italy, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Portugal, Germany, Peru, Mexico, and Costa Rica. In terms of the United States, the surname is most commonly found in California, Florida, and Texas.

In the United States, Virginia was commonly adopted as a surname in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It’s not clear whether this was a conscious decision to commemorate the state’s early colonial ties, or if it was more coincidental. Virginia is not a particularly common surname in the United States, but more so when compared to countries such as Spain, Italy, and Germany, and other parts of Latin America.

Overall, the surname Virginia is a highly dispersed and widely-used name today. Though its exact origins are not known, it has roots in early colonial history and can be found in countries all over the world. In the United States, you can find the surname in the south, midwest, and west coast.

Variations of the surname Virginia

Variants of the surname Virginia vary from country to country and even regionally within the same country. However, some of the most common variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Virginia, Virginio, Viernes, Virgínia, Virgine, Virgili, Virgilio, Virgillo, Virgyne, Vincens, Vincenza, Vinci, Vincenza, Vingne, Bingha, Binchey, Bincgey, Byrgie, Burgee, Vinal, Vinall, Vinyal, Vynall and Vyne.

In Italy, the name Virginio is a very common variant of Virginia. In Spain, the most common variants are Virgínia, Virgine, and Virgili. In Portugal, the most common variant is Virginio, and in France, the most common variant is Virgyne. In England, the most common variants are Vynall, Vyne, Bingha, Binchey and Bincgey.

In Scotland, the most common variants are Byrgie, Burgee, Vinal, Vinall, and Vinyal. In America, the variants Virgilio, Virgillo, Vincens, Vincenza, Vinci, and Vincenza are most common. These variants are all variations on the same family name, though the spelling and pronounciation can be affected by region and even century.

Famous people with the name Virginia

• Eva Virginio: an Italian singer and songwriter renowned for her work in the Italo Disco Music scene
• Kristine Virginia: a Filipino-American actress best known for her recurring role in the drama series, "When I Grow Up”
• Robert Virginia: an American aviator and the first American female to fly solo across the Atlantic
• Carolina Virginia: a Mexican model and beauty pageant titleholder who won the title of Nuestra Belleza Mexico 2017
• Julio Virginia: an Argentinian professional footballer who currently plays for Union de Santa Fe in the Primera División Argentina
• Enzo Virginia: a Spanish DJ and record producer whose work has been featured in award-winning films and television programs
• Ermilo Virgínia: a Portuguese historian and academic who was associated with the universities of Lisbon, Coimbra, and Coimbra-Lisbon
• Stephen Virginia: an American actor and model most recognized for having been cast in the off-Broadway production of “Mamma Mia!”
• Vasco Virginia: an Italian football manager and former player who has held senior coaching positions at clubs including BDSK SRC Simferopol and TOYOTA Reggio Emilia
• Lourdes Virginia: an American singer and songwriter, known for her Christian music and Latin-infused Pop and R&B songs.

Other surnames

Virgin