How common is the Rivera surname?

There are approximately 1,400,000 people with the surname Rivera in the United States.

Are there Rivera soldiers in Civil War records?

Yes, 50 soldiers with the Rivera surname appear in Civil War records.

Rivera

Q: What does the surname Rivera mean?

The surname Rivera means "Derived from the Spanish word for 'river bank' or 'riverbank', referring to someone who lived near a river.". It is of Spanish origin.

Topographic

Meaning

Derived from the Spanish word for 'river bank' or 'riverbank', referring to someone who lived near a river.

Etymology

From the Latin riparia, meaning 'riverbank' or 'shore', which became rivera in Spanish. The surname originated as a topographic name for residents of riverbank settlements.

About the Rivera Surname

Rivera is a topographic surname referring to riverbank locations, with medieval Spanish origins. The name became hereditary and spread widely through Spanish colonization and migration.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 1,400,000 bearers in the United States #47 most common surname

Rare Common

Found throughout Spain and Spanish-speaking countries, with particularly high concentrations in Mexico and the Caribbean.

Rivera Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer

Origin: Spanish
Classification: Topographic
Estimated Bearers: 1,400,000

War Records

50 soldiers with the Rivera surname found in Civil War records.

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