Surname Garrigues - Meaning and Origin

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R. Garrigues

Garrigues: What does the surname Garrigues mean?

The last name Garrigues is derived from the Spanish and Catalan word 'garriga', meaning 'thicket'. It is likely derived from a toponymic origin, referring to someone who originally lived near or in a garriga or thicket. Historically, this type of name was used to identify those who had migrated from one place to another.

The name Garrigues is a popular surname in Spain, especially in the region of Catalonia. There are two possible origins for this surname, from the Catalan name Cantalapiedra, meaning 'hilly stone' and from Germany, with the Germanic name Gerhardus. In both cases, the various spellings of the name were derived from the same original root.

The name Garrigues has been associated with strength and determination, as it can be interpreted to mean a fight against an obstacle, either literally by cutting through a thicket or figuratively by persevere against a difficult challenge.

There is an old Catalan proverb that states, “en la Garriga, fort s'haurà d'endreçar”, meaning that those bearing this surname must be hardworking in order to succeed. This proverb has become an attitude and an expectation for all those with the last name Garrigues, to do whatever it takes in order to reach their goals.

Garrigues: Where does the name Garrigues come from?

Garrigues is a Spanish surname with French origins, first appearing in parts of France and southern areas of Spain in the 12th century. It's a very popular name in the region of Languedoc-Roussillon, located in southern France—the area around Montpellier and Nîmes, historically part of the kingdom of Aragon. Today, Garrigues is also found in Mexico, where it was a transplanted name after settlers moved there in the 19th century.

The name has also spread to other parts of the Spanish-speaking world, including Ecuador, Peru, Panama, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, and Venezuela. It is also quite common in the Philippines, where descendants of Spanish settlers also brought the name with them in the late 19th century.

In Spain, the strongest concentrations of the Garrigues name can be found in Castilla y León, Madrid, Valencia, Catalonia, and the Basque country. Outside of the Spanish-speaking world, the name is far less common, although there are some isolated pockets in parts of Europe, the United States, and Canada.

Variations of the surname Garrigues

The surname Garrigues (alternate spellings Garrigue and Garrique) is a toponymic name derived from the Occitan language of Southern France, meaning "hilly, rocky terrain". It likely originated in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southern France, where many of these families still live today.

The variant spellings of Garrigues are Garrigue and Garrique. These two spellings are often used interchangeably, but can be found in different regions of southern France. For example, in Aquitaine, both Garrigues and Garrigue are common, while Garrique is more common in Languedoc-Roussillon.

The surnames derived from the root of Garrigues include Gariguer, Garric, Garrique, Garrigue, and Garrigues. These are all derived from the Occitan word “Garrigues,” meaning hilly, rocky terrain.

Some variants of Garrigues may be found in other languages. For example, the Spanish name Garriz, which is derived from Garrigues, may be found in Spanish speaking areas of France. Similarly, in Italian, the name Garrese is associated with Garrigues.

In some parts of France, Garrigues is also associated with the word “garigoule,” which means wild garlic. The possibility of a second origin for the surname has been discussed, however it is still unknown if it is directly related to the more common toponymic origin.

Overall, the Garrigues surname is one of many that has been inherited from the Occitan language throughout the centuries. Its variants, spellings, and derived surnames are all a reminder of this common past.

Famous people with the name Garrigues

• Alfonso Garrigues Walker: Spanish lawyer, academic and politician.
• John Garrigues: American cinematographer, screenwriter, film producer, and actor.
• Julio Garrigues Walker: Spanish lawyer and writer.
• William Garrigues: American lawyer, who specialized in the field of international law.
• Arthur Garrigues: French Poet.
• Ponce Garrigues: Spanish novelist, journalist, and essayist.
• Sidney Garrigues: American silent-film actor and director.
• Ramón Garrigues: Spanish politician and lawyer.
• Jean Luc-Garrigues: French film director and screenwriter.
• Flozão (Ortiz Garrigues): Brazilian singer, composer, actor, and politician.
• Julián Garrigues: Spanish philosopher and author.
• Eduardo Garrigues: Spanish film editor and director.
• Juan Garrigues: Argentinian film director and screenwriter.
• Mariana Garrigues Walkers: Spanish civil lawyer and politician.
• Yolanda Garrigues: Spanish photographer and cinematographer.
• François Garrigues: French classical violinist.
• Jaime Garrigues: Spanish sculptor and visual artist.
• Juampi Garrigues: Argentine film director and screenwriter.
• Joaquín Garrigues: Spanish playwright and lawyer.
• Yolanda Garrigues Walker: Spanish politician and lawyer.

Other surnames

GarrigueGarrigues de FlaujacGarrigus