Surname Tapia - Meaning and Origin
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Exploring my ancestral roots through iGENEA's DNA test offered fascinating insights into my lineage, especially in relation to the Tapia surname. The cutting-edge tools used in this analysis deliver an exceptionally high degree of accuracy, significantly broadening my understanding of my genetic history.
Z. Tapia
read moreTapia: What does the surname Tapia mean?
The surname Tapia is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Spanish word 'tapia', which means 'mud wall'. This term refers to a type of wall constructed using a technique called 'tapial', where mud is moulded to form a structure. The word can also, in some contexts, refer to a wall made of earth or clay, which denotes the household lived in or near such a structure. Thus, Tapia often signaled the occupation of the family - they may have constructed these mud walls, or it could indicate the geographical location - they lived by a mud wall. The name Tapia is prevalent in many Spanish-speaking countries, particularly Spain and Mexico, and can be found worldwide as a result of Spanish diaspora. It should be noted that surnames can have multiple regional meanings, so the origins and meanings can vary. However, the most widely accepted interpretation is the one related to 'mud wall'.
Order DNA origin analysisTapia: Where does the name Tapia come from?
Today, the last name Tapia is most common in countries located in Latin America. In particular, it is the 10th most popular surname in Spain, the 20th most popular family name in Mexico, and the 82nd most popular surname in Chile. The name is also relatively common in the United States, where it ranks as the 163rd most popular last name. This is in large part due to increasing numbers of people from Spanish-speaking countries settling and immigrating in North America.
The Tapia surname first appeared during the medieval period, in the Kingdom of Castille. The name is thought to derive from Spanish words such as 'tapar', which means to cover, or 'tapia', which means wall or stone fence. As a result, the Tapia family name is likely to have initially been used as a locational name to describe somebody who lived near a wall or stone fence.
The Tapia name is likely to have diffused from the Kingdom of Castille to other parts of Spain, and then to Latin American countries during the colonial period. Therefore, it is hard to pinpoint an exact region and location where this surname started.
Today, the Tapia surname is most strongly associated with countries in Latin America, though it is still common in Spain and increasingly more commonplace in North America too.
Variations of the surname Tapia
Tapia is a name derived from Spanish origin. The spelling of Tapia itself is the most common, but there are some variations of the surname that have been adopted in different countries or cultures.
In the Spanish language, there are alternative spellings such as Tapias and Tápias. This variation is especially used in Latin American countries like Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Venezuela, among others.
In Portuguese, the most common form of the surname Tapia is Tápia. It is the spelling used in Brazil, which is the largest Portuguese-speaking country in the world. In the United States, it is sometimes seen as Tapías.
Tapia may also be seen as Tapías, Taipa, Tappia, Tapi, Tapie, Tapy, and Tappa. This is common in the Mediterranean countries of Italy, Greece, and Turkey, where the surname is spelled with the Greek alphabet. In France, the spelling Tapié is popular.
In terms of surnames, the most common ones that stem from Tapia are Tapias, Tapia Ruiz, Tapia Guillen, Tapia Lopez, Tapia Moreno, and Tapia Alvarado. They are all related to the original Tapia surname and indicate its widespread presence all over the world.
Famous people with the name Tapia
- Manny Tapia: an American professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter
- Robert Tapia: an American professional boxer
- Andres Tapia: a renowned international speaker
- Carlos Tapia: a former Chilean footballer
- Erick Tapia: a Salvadoran Paralympic athlete
- Ignacio Tapia: an Argentine professional rugby union player
- Jennifer Tapia: an American actor
- David Tapia: an American professional boxer
- Marcela Tapia: a Chilean actress
- Martha Tapia: a Mexican actress
- Brittany Tapia: an American reality television star
- Miguel Tapia: a Spanish diplomat and politician
- Fernando Tapia: an Argentine former professional football player
- David Tapia-McClung: an American radio personality and podcast host
- Josue Tapia: a Venezuelan track and field athlete.