Surname Cumbe - Meaning and Origin
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Cumbe: What does the surname Cumbe mean?
The last name Cumbe is of Spanish origin and is derived from the Catalan term ‘cumba’ meaning ‘mountain’ or ‘hilly land’. In the 17th century, the word also referred to any high point of land, such as hilltops and headlands.
The family name is particularly associated with the Basque region of Spain, where the Cumbe surname is most commonly found. It is believed to be one of the oldest surnames in the Basque region and is believed to be derived from the early medieval Basque name 'Amaro'.
In the 16th century, many Basque families emigrated from Spain to other areas of Europe, the Americas and Oceania. Today, the family name can be found in many countries across the globe, with the highest concentrations located in Spain, the United States, Canada, and Brazil, amongst other regions.
According to historians, early references to the Cumbe surname appear as far back as the 11th century when there is mention of ‘dominus de Aughcousa de Cumba’ (the Lord of Aughcousa of the Cumbe). This surname was also used on the first print of Santa Teresa de Jesus’ autobiography in 1604, in the form of ‘Joan de Cumba y Estigia’.
The Cumbe surname is seen as an extension of the family’s origins and is thought to bring with it a sense of pride and legacy. It usually refers to a person who has a rich link to their Basque ancestry and a deep connection to the land and its traditions.
Order DNA origin analysisCumbe: Where does the name Cumbe come from?
The last name Cumbe can be found throughout Latin America and Spain. It is a last name of Spanish heritage and is a variant of the name Combe, which also exists in France and England, albeit more infrequently.
In Latin America, there are a number of locations where the name Cumbe is fairly common, including Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia. Of these, it is most common in Venezuela, with the name present in 6 out of the country’s 23 states. In Ecuador, the last name is most common in the Manabí province.
In Spain, the name Cumbe is most common in Castilla-La Mancha, a region in the central part of the country. The last name can also be found in the regions of Extremadura, Murcia and Andalucia.
The surname Cumbe can also be found in the United States, predominantly in Puerto Rican communities, where it has remained relatively common. In Hawaii, the last name can be found among versions of Portuguese immigrants, although it is not as common as it is in Latin America or Spain. In the rest of the US, the name Cumbe is most likely to have been adopted by Latin American immigrants.
Variations of the surname Cumbe
The surnames Cumbe, Cumbes, Cumbie and Cumby are all variants of the same origin for the surname Cumbe. These spellings have likely arisen due to the various pronunciations of the surname over time.
The surname Cumbe is believed to have originated in the West Country of England, being first found in Cornwall, where the family were seated from very ancient times. The surname Cumbe is likely derived from an Old English topographical name, originating from the word 'cumb', meaning a deep valley or hollow. This explains why the spelling has evolved to encompass different variants, as different dialects pronounce the same word differently.
Cumbes is likely an alternate spelling of Cumbe, probably coming about as a result of phonetic simplifications. Cumbie may have been created as an adaptation of the Gaelic or Celtic name Quimby. The spelling Cumby is also very likely an alternate version of Cumbe, an example of a phonetic spelling that occurred when handwriting was not as accurate as it is today.
In addition to the spelling variations discussed, surnames of similar origin and meaning could include Combe, Combes, Commbee and Coubrough. All of these names ultimately stem from the Old English 'combe', which means deep hollow or valley.
Famous people with the name Cumbe
- Fábio Leal Cumbê: Brazilian musician and singer-songwriter
- Roberto Pereira Cumbê: Current Prime Minister and former Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Cape Verde
- Laís Cumbê: Brazilian singer and television actor
- Joaquim Cumbê: Brazilian footballer
- Gustavo Cumbê: Brazilian actor, playwright, and author
- David Cumbê: Brazilian judoka
- Carlos Cumbê: Brazilian football defender
- Josée Cumbê: Brazilian volleyball player
- Shirlei Cumbê: Brazilian volleyball player
- Edson Hony Cumbê: Mozambican tennis player
- Cátia Sousa Cumbê: Brazilian football forward