VARGAS Surname Meaning and Origin

The Vargas surname is topographical in origin, indicating someone who lived on or near agricultural land that was flooded in winter; from vargas, the plural of varga. In different parts of Spain the term varga also had other various meanings, including a "steep hillside" or a "straw- or thatch-roofed hut." Vargas may also be habitational in origin, indicating someone who came from Vargas in Santander province of Spain.

Vargas is the 36th most common Hispanic surname.

Surname Origin: Spanish

Alternate Surname Spellings: VARGAZ
 

Famous People with the Surname VARGAS

• Elizabeth Vargas - American broadcast journalist
• - Peruvian contemporary writer
• Getúlio Vargas - former President of Brazil
• Joaquin Alberto Vargas y Chávez - Peruvian painter of pin-up girls
• Luis de Vargas - Spanish painter of the Renaissance era

Where Do People With the VARGAS Surname Live?

The surname distribution data at Forebears ranks Vargas as the 251st most common surname in the world, identifying it as most prevalent in Mexico and with the highest density in Costa Rica. The Vargas surname is the 2nd most common surname in Bolivia and Costa Rica, 14th in Colombia, 20th in Peru, 28th in Chile, 30th in the Dominican Republic, and 33rd in Panama and Mexico.

Within Europe, Vargas is most frequently found in Spain, according to WorldNames PublicProfiler, especially in the southern provinces of Sevilla and Almería. The surname is also very common in almost all regions of Argentina.
 

Genealogy Resources for the Surname VARGAS

100 Common Hispanic Surnames & Their Meanings
Garcia, Martinez, Rodriguez, Lopez, Hernandez... Are you one of the millions of people sporting one of these top 100 common Hispanic last names?

How to Research Hispanic Heritage
Learn how to get started researching your Hispanic ancestors, including the basics of family tree research and country specific organizations, genealogical records, and resources for Spain, Latin America, Mexico, Brazil, the Caribbean and other Spanish speaking countries.

Vargas Family Crest - It's Not What You Think
Contrary to what you may hear, there is no such thing as an Vargas family crest or coat of arms for the Vargas surname. Coats of arms are granted to individuals, not families, and may rightfully be used only by the uninterrupted male line descendants of the person to whom the coat of arms was originally granted. 

VARGAS Family Genealogy Forum
Search this popular genealogy forum for the Vargas surname to find others who might be researching your ancestors, or post your own Vargas query.

FamilySearch - VARGAS Genealogy
Access over 10 million free historical records and lineage-linked family trees posted for the Vargas surname and its variations on this free genealogy website hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

GeneaNet - Vargas Records
GeneaNet includes archival records, family trees, and other resources for individuals with the Vargas surname, with a concentration on records and families from France, Spain, and other European countries.

VARGAS Surname & Family Mailing Lists
This free mailing list for researchers of the Vargas surname and its variations includes subscription details and a searchable archives of past messages.

DistantCousin.com - VARGAS Genealogy & Family History
Explore free databases and genealogy links for the last name Vargas.

The Vargas Genealogy and Family Tree Page
Browse family trees and links to genealogical and historical records for individuals with the last name Vargas from the website of Genealogy Today.

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References: Surname Meanings & Origins

Cottle, Basil. Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1967.

Dorward, David. Scottish Surnames. Collins Celtic (Pocket edition), 1998.

Fucilla, Joseph. Our Italian Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 2003.

Hanks, Patrick and Flavia Hodges. A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1989.

Hanks, Patrick. Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press, 2003.

Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1997.

Smith, Elsdon C. American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997.

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