Garcia History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in Spain were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father’s given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother’s given name. Garcia is thought to be a patronymic name formed from a now unknown medieval given name. An older Latin form of the surname was Garsea, but the roots of this name may well pre-date the Latin era and come from the Basque language.

Early Origins of the Garcia family

The surname Garcia was first found in Navarre, where the name is documented in the earliest records.

Early History of the Garcia family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Garcia research.

Garcia Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Garcia, García, Garsea, Garsía, Garsia, Garcies, Guarsea, Guarseas, Garsías, Garsias, Gassía, Gassia, Garci, Garcés, Garces, Garcíaz, Garciaz, Garséaz, Garseaz, Gasset, Garcet, Gracía, Gracia and many more.

Early Notables of the Garcia family (pre 1700)

Prominent among members of the family were Count García of Navarre (d. 857), García I, king of Leon from 910-914, and García I of Navarre, who ruled 925-970. King García IV ruled Navarre from 1134-1150. Also of note were Gil Garcíez Dazagra, knight of the order of Santiago, Diego García de Paredes and Alvar García de Mendoza, who fought for Ferdinand and Isabella during the conquest… 
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Garcia Notables

Garcia World Ranking

In the United States, the name Garcia is the 18^th most popular surname with an estimated 631,698 people with that name. [1] However, in Canada, the name Garcia is ranked the 500^thmost popular surname with an estimated 9,793 people with that name. [2] And in Quebec, Canada, the name Garcia is the 810^th popular surname. [3] France ranks Garcia as 15^th with 68,720 people. [4] South America ranks Garcia as 4^th with 411 people. [5]

 Garcia migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Garcia Settlers in United States in the 16th Century

• Alejo García, who arrived in the New World in 1528 and explored Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil
• Lope García de Castro was governor of Peru in the 1560s
• Ana García, to Colombia in 1561
• Catalina García, who immigrated to Venezuela in 1561
• Alonso García, to Hispaniola in 1562

Garcia Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Mr. Juan Garcia, French settler traveling aboard the ship “Le Beaumont” arriving in Louisiana on 19th August 1785 [6]
• Mrs. Francois Garcia (nee Courtin), French settler traveling aboard the ship “Le Beaumont” arriving in Louisiana on 19th August 1785 [6]

Garcia Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Heman Garcia, who landed in America in 1811 [7]
• Gonzalo Garcia, who arrived in America in 1811 [7]
• Alonso Garcia, who arrived in America in 1811 [7]
• Elvira Garcia, who landed in Espanola in 1811 [7]
• Francisco Garcia, who arrived in America in 1811 [7]

Garcia Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Bruno Garcia, who arrived in Texas in 1910 [7]

 Garcia migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: 

Garcia Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. William Garcia, English convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the “Atlas” on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[8]