Surname Lara - Meaning and Origin

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U. Lara

Lara: What does the surname Lara mean?

The surname Lara has Spanish origins and is derived from a place name, meaning 'a residence or village on the hill'. The name first originated in the La Rioja region of Spain. It's also believed that Lara could be based on the Basque word 'lar,' which means 'pasture' in English. Over time, the name Lara has been disseminated to various parts of the world due to conquests and voyages, and is common in the Spanish-speaking world, especially in Latin America. However, it is crucial to note that this surname can also be found amongst numerous cultures with different connotations and origins, including regions in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Thus, the meaning might change based on the cultural and regional context.

Lara: Where does the name Lara come from?

The surname Lara is of Spanish origin. It is believed to have been derived from the town of Lara de los Infantes in the Burgos province of Spain. The name itself comes from the Basque word ‘Lar’, meaning ‘pasture’.

This name has a rich history, tracing back to the medieval Spanish noble House of Lara, known for its many influential knights and military leaders. The surname then spread across Spain and Latin America through colonization and migration.

Today, Lara is a common surname in many Spanish-speaking countries, especially in Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, and Spain. It is also fairly common in the United States and has a significant presence in the Philippines because of Spanish influence.

Lara is now a global surname, found in many countries due to worldwide Spanish diaspora, although its highest concentration remains in Spanish-speaking countries. Regardless of geographical spread, the surname Lara continues to be a reflection of Spanish cultural heritage and history.

Variations of the surname Lara

The surname Lara has a number of variations and alternative spellings. Some of these include Llara, Larra, Larah, Larran, Larah, Laria, Laray, Larraa, and Larrah. These variations can be due to regional differences, dialects or personal preferences.

In Spain and Latin American countries, compound surnames are quite common, resulting in variations like Lara Fernandez, Lara Gonzalez, or Lara Rodriguez, where another family name is appended or prefixed to Lara.

The name Lara is also frequently found in the combined form such as "De Lara" or "Delara" which means "of Lara." It represents a geographical or topographical origin indicating that the person hailed from a place named Lara.

Lara can also partake in patronymic naming systems particularly in Arabic cultures, where it might be given as "Lara bin [Father's name]" or "Lara bint [Father's name]" for males and females respectively.

It's important to bear in mind that different cultures have different naming conventions and the variants discussed represent a non-exhaustive list based on common trends in surname derivations and modifications. Variations might also occur due to translation across different languages and scripts.

Famous people with the name Lara

• Francisco Lara, a Spanish politician
• Carla Lara, a Venezuelan news reporter
• Xavi Lara, a former Spanish professional basketball player
• Jorge Lara, a Mexican actor
• Natalia Lara, an actress and model from Mexico
• Nuria Lara, a Spanish novelist
• Ismael Lara, a retired Cuban boxers
• Soledad Méndez de Lara, a Mexican writer and documentary filmmaker
• León Lara, a Spanish field hockey player
• César Lara, an Argentine film director 11.Jennifer Lara, a reggae singer and songwriter from Jamaica
• Bruno Lara, a Spanish footballer
• Silvia Mariscal de Lara, a Mexican actress
• Carlos Damián Lara, an Argentine racewalker
• Paula de Lara, a Mexican sculptor
• Mariela Lara, a Guatemalan beauty queen
• César Lara, a Mexican musician and conductor
• Abel Lara, a Mexican actor
• Esmerelda Lara, a Mexican actress
• Amado Lara, a Mexican singer, songwriter, and dancer
• Rodrigo Lara, a former Mexican politician
• Julian Lara, a Spanish discus thrower
• Celia Lara, a Mexican model and actress

Other surnames

LaracyLaramieLarcanLardLardnerLareLarensLarenzLarganLargenLargentLarimerLarimoreLariusLarkLarkanLarkenLarkensLarkinLarkingLarkinsLarmerLarminieLarmourLarnachLarnedLarnerLarneyLaroche