Surname Mares - Meaning and Origin

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A fulfilling journey into the past, the iGENEA DNA test allowed me to discover my ancestry tied to the Mares name. The test unveiled a French connection to my surname, a fact previously unknown. It also helped me connect with others who share my family name, creating a sense of kinship that was otherwise missing.

S. Mares

Mares: What does the surname Mares mean?

The last name Mares is of Spanish origin and has multiple interpretations in its meaning. Primarily, it derives from the Spanish word "mares", which translates to "seas" in English. This could potentially indicate a family's historical connection with the sea, possibly related to occupations like seafaring, fishing, or naval trade. It is also possible that the name relates to a geographic location, used for those residing by the seaside.

In addition, Mares might also be derived from the old Spanish term 'mares', which was used to describe something valuable or precious, possibly reflective of the status or reputation of the family from which the name originates.

Additionally, it could be linked to the Spanish verb "marear", which means "to dizzy or nauseate", indicating an ancestral relation to medicine or healing practices.

It may also represent an anglicized variant of similar sounding surnames from other cultures or languages. Ultimately, the specific meaning might differ based on regional histories and family heritage.

Mares: Where does the name Mares come from?

The last name Mares is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Old Spanish word 'mares', which translates to 'seas' in English. The surname is believed to have been initially used as an occupational or locative surname for individuals who lived by the sea or worked in maritime occupations.

In its early usage, variations of the surname (like Mares, Maris, De Mares) were common in Spain, specifically in Catalan, Galician, and Andalusian regions. Mares could have also derived from a Spanish nickname for a "defender" or "champion", which is from the word "marés".

Today, the Mares surname is most common in the United States, Mexico, and Spain. In the United States, the name is particularly prevalent in the state of Texas. Despite this, Mares has not lost its roots and remains a commonly encountered surname in its country of origin - Spain. Apart from these, the surname also has a significant presence in South American and Caribbean countries, commonly in areas with Spanish-speaking populations.

Variations of the surname Mares

The surname Mares can have various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Marres, Marez, Maresch, Maress, and Marais are some possible variant spellings that can be found. More distant variations of the name could be traced to the French root 'Marais', which means marsh, and thus may also take derivations such as Mare, Mareys, Marray, Marrey, Maree, and Maresco.

For Hispanic contexts, the surname can be traced back to Mare or Mar, with variations including De la Mar, Del Mar, Delamar, or Delamare.

Proposed alternate spellings include Maars and Mars. There's also a potential connection to the Morais surname, most common in Portuguese-speaking countries, as well on the Jewish Sephardic community.

Some individuals may use multiple words in their surname, such as Mares Guia, Mares Roca, or Mares Cuesta. The addition of these words could denote a geographical location or a specific characteristic.

It should be noted that surnames often have regional differences based on their country of origin, resulting in unique spellings and variations. Some versions of the surname Mares might have been altered due to emigration and the influence of other languages.

Famous people with the name Mares

• Ana María Mares: Venezuelan actress and model.
• Christine Mares: American jazz pianist and composer.
• Daniel Mares: Chilean Roman Catholic bishop.
• David Mares: Argentine football (soccer) player.
• Edwardo Mares: Mexican politician.
• Jorge Aníbal Mares: Paraguayan lawyer and politician.
• Julián Mares: Argentine-born Uruguayan tug-of-war competitor.
• Juanita Mares: Mexican motion picture actress.
• Lawrence Mares: American college basketball coach.
• Leonor Mares: Argentine film director and screenwriter.
• Marcelo Mares: Chilean football coach.
• Oscar Mares: American jazz musician and composer.
• Queena Mares: American pedagogue and college administrator.
• Rafael Mares: Spanish football player.
• Ricardo Mares: American chemical engineer and professor.
• Seleste Mares: American semi-professional wrestler.
• Sergio Mares: Chilean footballer.
• Víctor Mares: Mexican politician.
• Víctor Manuel Mares: Mexican politician.
• Xavier Mares: Peruvian football (soccer) player.

Other surnames

MarecekMarechalMareckMareczekMarekMarenMarentesMareschMaresovaMaretMaretschekMaretzek