Surname Zapata - Meaning and Origin
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iGENEA DNA Test: A Journey into the Zapata Lineage and the DNA Testament of Our Ancestors
As part of my journey to discover my family origins, the DNA test conducted by iGENEA proved to be a highly informative and fascinating experience. Reaffirming the historic origins of the Zapata name, it shed new light on my personal ancestry while enriching my understanding of global migration and historical events.
Y. Zapata
read moreZapata: What does the surname Zapata mean?
The last name Zapata is believed to have originated from the northern province of Salamanca, in Spain. The term “zapata” refers to a protective covering of wood or leather used to protect a horse’s hoof, so the name might indicate that the original holder of the name was particularly skilled at handling horses. Alternatively, it could have been an occupational surname that referred to a shoe-maker or leather-worker. In Mexico, the name is associated with revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata. His fight against the Mexican government during the early 20th century has made Zapata a symbol of resistance to authority and a popular last name particularly in the state of Morelos.
Zapata is quite a common last name throughout Latin America and has also been found in other regions such as the USA and Spain. It is a popular choice for first names in many Latin American countries. In the USA, it may indicate a person of Hispanic ancestry, as Zapata is a popular Hispanic surname.
Overall, the Zapata family name is believed to have come from Spain and symbolizes a protective covering such as one for a horse’s hoof, someone who worked with leather, or a person of Hispanic ancestry. As the surname is so common, it can mean different things to different people.
Order DNA origin analysisZapata: Where does the name Zapata come from?
The last name Zapata is most commonly found in Mexico and other Latin American countries. It is also found in some parts of the United States, particularly concentrated in southern states such as Texas, New Mexico, California, Arizona and Nevada. Zapata has been a common last name in Mexico since the 19th century when it was brought over by Spanish colonizers and adopted by Mesoamericans.
The last name originated in Spain and likely or possibly derives from the Basque word “Zapata.” Over time, it became popular throughout Spain and then spread to its colonies, including Latin America. This is not particularly surprising given Spain’s strong presence in Central and South America during the 16th- to 19th-centuries.
The last name remains common today. In 2014, there were 24,006 people with the last name Zapata in Mexico. It is also popular in El Salvador, Colombia, Argentina, and the United States. The popularity of the last name has been further extended by famous people who bear such as the Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, footballer Manuel Franco Zapata, artist Diego Rivera, and singer Selena.
Variations of the surname Zapata
Common variants and spellings of the surname Zapata include Zappata, Zapatta, Zupata, Sapata, and Tsapata. These are all variations of the surname Zapata due to interpreation by different languages or dialects, most commonly Spanish and Italian.
The surname Zapata is primarily of Spanish, Italian, and Portugese origin, and is a habitational name derived from Zapata, a town in the Province of Cuenca, Spain. It can also referred to a habitation in Didactic Parish in the Galicia region of Northwestern Spain.
Other derivations of the surname Zapata include Zapatero, Anduaga, Zapateri, Zapatri, and Zappaterreno. These surnames are all derived from a variation of the Italian and Spanish words Zapata, which all mean "shoemaker."
The Italian and Spanish surname Zapata is also used by some families of Basque origin, denoting families who lived near a forest with hawthorns (or "zarzas," in Spanish). Similarly, sapato is Portuguese for “shoe,” and it is is also a possible derivation for the surname Zapata.
As a result, Zapata can have different spellings or derivations depending on the language or dialect of the particular region. It is a common surname found today throughout Spain, Italy, Portugal, Latin America, as well as parts of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Famous people with the name Zapata
- Emiliano Zapata: revolutionary leader who fought for the rights of previously disadvantaged Mexicans at the start of the 20th century, and is remembered for his integrity and his slogan “Tierra y Libertad” (Land and Freedom).
- Olga Zapata: Dominican singer, composer, and guitarist, she is considered one of the most important female figures in Latin American music in the 20th century.
- Andres Zapata: Guatemalan-Mexican actor and singer. He was one of the most beloved protagonists in Mexican television in the 1970s and 80s.
- Juan Zapata: Puerto Rican painter, sculptor, and the author of several courses on art and creativity for children. He has numerous awards and his work is displayed in museums around the world.
- Patricia Zapata: Mexican film and television actress most known for her performances in The Miracle of Marcelino and María la del Barrio.
- José Heriberto Zapata: Panamanian actor, singer and comedian, best known for his unforgettable “Chaparro” character in television show El tiempo entre las sábanas.
- José Luis Zapata: Mexican singer and actor, son of musician and actor Andres Zapata, best known for his performances in the soap operas La Dueña and El Sultán.
- Josefina Zapata: Mexican sculptor and painter, winner of the June Prize for Sculpture, National Prize of Arts and Culture, and the Sam Ros Award for her creative work in sculpture and painting.
- Ana Patricia Zapata: Chilean television host and former model. She is the sister of baseball player, Luis Sojo, and the wife of legendary Chilean soccer player, Ivan Zamorano.
- Naschy Zapata: Spanish actor, director, producer, and programmer of radio and television. He is best known for his acting in Alien Terror, Zombies Lake, and Blood Curse: Damned Hacienda.