Surname Contreras - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Exploring the Viking Roots of the Contreras Family Through DNA
My journey into the treasure trove of my family’s history was inspired by a DNA test from iGENEA. This provoked an unexpected intertwining of cultures in the Contreras heritage, giving me deeper insights into the scope of human history and my self-understanding.
Q. Contreras
read moreContreras: What does the surname Contreras mean?
Contreras is a Spanish surname that originated from a place name. The name is derived from a town named Contreras in the Burgos province of Spain. It comes from the Spanish medieval term "Contraria" which means "open country" or "land opposite another". The term was often used to describe a piece of land located across from a river, road, or a landmark. Therefore, the surname Contreras may signify a family that came from or lived near such a location. Like many surnames that originated from place names, Contreras would have been used to identify individuals who migrated to new regions, referring to their origins. Over time it became a family name passed down through generations.
Order DNA origin analysisContreras: Where does the name Contreras come from?
The last name Contreras is of Spanish origin, derived from a geographical or topographical area in Spain. It comes from a town called Contreras in the province of Burgos, in the region of Castile and Leon. The surname would have been used as an identifier for individuals who moved from Contreras to a different region.
Today, the surname is common in many Spanish-speaking countries around the world, most notably in Mexico where it ranks as the 26th most common surname. Also, it is common in Spain, Chile, Colombia, Argentina and the United States, particularly in areas with significant Hispanic populations. Over time, it migrated to Latin America and the Philippines during the period of Spanish colonization. Contreras can also be found in amalgamated forms in many other global regions due to migration and intermarriage. In some cases, the surname Contreras is linked to Jewish ancestry, tracing the Sephardic Jews who were expelled from Spain in the 15th century and adopted the surname as they dispersed to other countries.
Variations of the surname Contreras
The surname Contreras is of Spanish origin, and it is primarily used in Spain, Mexico and other Latin American countries. It is a habitational surname, given to persons originally from any of several places called Contreras, including towns in the provinces of Burgos and Soria. The name is derived from a compound of the Latin words "Contra" meaning against, and "Arare" meaning plow, indicating a place with difficult or rugged terrain.
Though there are no typical variants due to its unique origin, in some cases, spelling variations of Spanish surnames can be found. In old documents, one might come across spellings like Contreras, Contrera, Contreraz, Contrerass, Kontreras. However, these are less common in contemporary usage. As for surnames of the similar origin, some might consider other Spanish names with geographical or locational roots, though they wouldn't be directly related to Contreras.
It's worth noting that spelling variants are far less common with Spanish surnames compared to English ones, due largely to the Spanish language's more consistent phonetic spelling.
Famous people with the name Contreras
- Willson Contreras: He is a professional baseball catcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.
- Gabriel Contreras: A Mexican actor known for his roles in TV series like "Bajo el alma" and "Yu-Gi-Oh! GX".
- Joe Contreras: An American violin maker who is widely regarded as one of the best in the world.
- José Contreras: A former professional baseball pitcher from Cuba who, throughout his career, played for different teams in Major League Baseball.
- Daniella Pineda: (born Daniella Nicole Contreras) is a Mexican-American actress, known for her role in "The Originals."
- David Contreras: A former professional soccer player who played for Real Madrid and was a part of the Spanish national team.
- Carlos Contreras: A NASCAR racing driver from Mexico who competed in the Xfinity Series and the Camping World Truck Series.
- Jesús Contreras: A famous Mexican sculptor who created numerous public monuments.
- Joaquin Contreras: A Spanish artist known for his abstract and expressionist paintings.
- Zulay Henao: (born Zulay Henao Contreras) is a Colombian-American actress known for playing the lead role in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series, "If Loving You Is Wrong."