The Alvarado Family History

What Does the Alvarado Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Alvarado has its roots in Spain, specifically denoting a location within the province of Badajoz, situated in the western part of the country near the Portuguese border. This region is historically significant, having been the birthplace of numerous renowned Spanish explorers, including Hernán Cortés, Vasco Núñez de Balboa, Hernando de Soto, and Pedro de Valdivia. In the United States, the highest concentrations of individuals bearing this surname are found in Texas and California, as well as in several southwestern states. Traditionally, many families with the Alvarado surname have been engaged in labor and agriculture. Noteworthy figures associated with this name include Pedro de Alvarado, who is recognized for his conquest of the Maya peoples and later served as the governor of Guatemala, where he founded a city; Juan Francisco Velasco Alvarado, who held the position of general in Peru and governed the nation from 1968 to 1975; Trini Alvarado, a Puerto Rican actress; Don Alvarado, an actor; and Linda Alvarado, a prominent businesswoman and owner of the Colorado Rockies baseball team.