Delgado surname meaning
Spanish descriptive surname from delgado, “thin” or “slender.”
The short story
Delgado is a Spanish descriptive surname from delgado, “thin” or “slender.” It likely began as a byname distinguishing a person’s build, but inherited surnames can continue after the original description no longer fits. The form is found across Spanish-speaking regions and may have arisen independently in multiple communities. Portuguese delgado is a related word, and records in the Americas often preserve or simplify accents without changing the core spelling. Nickname is the closest Surname Means type because the name describes a personal characteristic rather than a trade or location. Confidence is high for this Spanish lexical origin; it does not identify one single Delgado family.
Also seen as: Delgada, Delgato, Delgade
- Wiktionary: Delgado (Spanish delgado, “thin, skinny”)
- BabyNames.com: Delgado (slender, skinny)
- Names2020_LastNames_RaceHispanic_Top1000.xlsx (2020 Census)