Surname Guinea - Meaning and Origin
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Guinea: What does the surname Guinea mean?
The last name Guinea originates from Spain. Specifically, the name is believed to arrive from the peninsula's ancient Basque region. The traditional Basque term for the region was "Gipuzkoa," which means "land of the sheep," and this likely gave rise to the surname Guinea.
The name Guinea can be found in records dating centuries before Spain was unified into a single nation in the late 15th century. In addition to Spain, the name also has its roots as far back as the Latin name for the region, which was "Guipuscoa."
The modern interpretation of this surname is generally understood to mean “land of the sheep” which may be related to the fact that sheep farming was especially prevalent among the ancient Basque peoples. In addition, some speculate that the name could be derived from a blend of the Basque and Latin words for “land of the shepherd.”
The surname is found in many countries today, particularly those with Spanish or Basque cultural influences. While its meaning is still the same, the name may have evolved slightly over time, becoming Guinn, Guigne, Giney, Ginney, Ginye or Ginai in different regions.
In any region, the surname Guinea signifies a strong Basque origin and may be indicative of a rich regional and cultural ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisGuinea: Where does the name Guinea come from?
The last name Guinea is most commonly found in the Latin American countries of Chile, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. It is also a common surname found in Spanish-speaking countries such as Mexico and Costa Rica. This name is believed to have originated from the region of Asturias in northern Spain, and is thought to have been passed down to the various Latin American countries in the 19th century when people from Spain immigrated there.
The origin of the name can be traced back to the Latin word “Guinea” which means “from the region of Guinea”. This region was initially located in present-day Northern Spain and was known for its ferocity and wildness. The settlers likely adopted the name Guinea in order to denote their association with the area. The region is believed to have been named after a group of Vandals who settled there in the 5th century AD.
In terms of present-day distribution, the surname is believed to have specifically originated with the family name “González Guinea” in the region of Asturias. This surname was then further passed down and eventually adopted by many Latin American countries. As a result, those with the surname Guinea living today are likely to be of Spanish or Latin American descent.
Variations of the surname Guinea
The surname Guinea is thought to be derived from either two sources.
The first possible source is a location-based surname, referring to people originating from the ancient kingdom of Guienne which was located in what is now modern day France. In the Middle Ages, this region was a vibrant cultural center and many people sought to claim the surname as their own. Variations of the name include Guienne, Guiena, Guyne, and Gwen.
The second possible origin of the surname Guinea is a nickname derived from the Latin word "Gwinneus," meaning white or light-complexioned. This term was often given to people with lighter skin, and eventually was adopted as a surname. Variations of this surname include Gwine, Gwin, and Gwinn.
Interestingly, the two possible origins of the surname Guinea are unrelated, with one referring to a geographic region and the other referring to a physical description. Both sources, however, are believed to have contributed to the development of the surname.
No matter the origin of the surname, anyone who claims it can be proud to be part of a long ancestral lineage.
Famous people with the name Guinea
- Gabriela Corona Guerineau: Mexican television presenter and entrepreneur
- Carolina Guerineau: Mexican Actress
- Rubén Albarrán: Mexican musician from the band Café Tacvba
- Álvaro Guerineau: Uruguayan professional footballer
- Edgar Bárcenas Guinea: Panamanian professional footballer
- Rui Jota Guerineau: Portuguese professional footballer
- Tonio Tiger Guerineau: Haitian artist
- Juan Andrés Guerrero Guerineau: Uruguayan professional volleyball player
- Ricardo Guinjanda: former Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau
- Ayamogo Lassissi Guinea: Ivorian actor and musician