First found in Asturias, along the northern coast of Spain.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Among the earliest European explorers of the New World was Pedro de Alvarado, who voyaged to Hispaniola and to Cuba in 1510. From Cuba he journeyed to Mexico, and explored the Caribbean coastline. The Alvarado River in Mexico is named for him. Pedro became second-in-command to Hernán Cortés during the conquest of Mexico. Next, he traveled to Guatemala, where he founded the city of Antigua in 1524. He left a collection of his writings describing these adventures, that survive to this day. Another early explorer was Alfonso de Alvarado, who accompanied Pizarro to Peru. Later he continued on to the Río de la Plata and was named Captain General of that region. Other early migrants to the New World bearing this surname included Juan de Alvarado, who sailed to America in 1511.

For more information on the last name Alvarado, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.