Covarrubias
A Spanish surname originally referring to someone from the town of Covarrubias in northern Spain.
The #1,985 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 16,974 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Covarrubias is a habitational surname: it comes from the place name Covarrubias in the province of Burgos, Spain. The place name is traditionally explained as meaning something like 'red caves' or 'cave(s) of red earth,' from Spanish cova/cueva 'cave' plus a form related to rubia/rubio 'red' or 'reddish'. As with many old place names, the exact early form and meaning are not completely certain, but the surname clearly points to geographical origin.
History
The surname was adopted by people who came from or were identified with Covarrubias, as happened widely in Spanish naming practice. It is found in Spain and throughout the Hispanic world, especially in Latin America, and later among Spanish-speaking communities in the United States. The name is also associated with several notable bearers, including the Mexican writer and diplomat José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi y Covarrubias and other historical figures from Spain and the Americas.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Covarrubias is also the name of a real town in Castile and León, famous for its medieval heritage and historic architecture.