Villa History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Portugal
Spain

Etymology of Villa

What does the name Villa mean?

This surname is derived from the Latin word "villa," which originally meant a house or estate, but later came to denote a village. Thus, as a surname, Villa no doubt was used to describe "someone from the village."

Early Origins of the Villa family

The surname Villa was first found in Castille where bearers of the name were found in the mountains of Santander.

Early History of the Villa family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Villa research. Another 54 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1656, 1676, 1692, 1694 and 1757 are included under the topic Early Villa History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Villa Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Villa, Devilla, de Villa, Villas and others.

Early Notables of the Villa family

More information is included under the topic Early Villa Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Villa Ranking

the United States, the name Villa is the 1,068^th most popular surname with an estimated 27,357 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Villa is ranked the 3,195^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,000 - 2,500 people with that name. 2

Villa migration to the United States +

Villa Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Franca Villa, who arrived in New Orleans in 1826
Rafelo Villa, who settled in New Orleans in 1831
Rafelo Villa, aged 40, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1831 3
Franco Villa, aged 22, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1836 3
Pedro Villa, aged 30, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1846 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Villa Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Adelina Villa, aged 21, who immigrated to the United States, in 1912
Adalgisa Villa, aged 26, who landed in America, in 1914
Albina Villa, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States from Arzano, Italy, in 1921
Aime Villa, who landed in America, in 1923
Aguillino Villa, aged 22, who settled in America, in 1924

Contemporary Notables of the name Villa (post 1700) +

Juan Manuel Villa Gutiérrez (1938-2025), Spanish footballer
David Villa (b. 1981), Spanish former professional footballer who played as a striker
Javier Villa (b. 1987), Spanish racing driver
David Villa (b. 1981), Spanish footballer
José Moreno Villa, Spanish poet
Giorgia Villa (b. 2003), Italian artistic gymnast, silver medalist winner at the 2024 Summer Olympics and bronze at the 2019 World Championships
Paco Villa (1970-2024), Mexican sports journalist
Margaret Villa Cryan (1924-2023), American utility player who played from 1946 through 1950 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
Mr. Robert Alfred Villa B.E.M., British recipient of Medallist of the British Empire Medal 29th December 2018 for services to the community in Chelmsford, Essex 4
... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Villa Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Una buena muerte honra toda una vida
Motto Translation: A good death honors the whole life.

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists