The exploration of Kartvelian-Basque linguistic and cultural parallels, a cornerstone of the Between Two Iberias project, finds compelling evidence in the distribution of Megrelian surnames across the Basque Country, Spain, and the broader Hispanic world. These surnames, often rooted in Kartvelian etymology, reveal a deep historical connection that spans continents, from Sakartvelo to the Americas, and underscores the global reach of Kartvelian-speaking peoples.
Consider the Megrelian surname Uridia, widely prevalent in Georgia today. Its historical presence in the Basque Country is exemplified by Juan de Uridia, a notary in Pamplona at the dawn of the 18th century—a period when Navarre retained strong ties to its Basque heritage. The surname’s prominence extends beyond Europe, appearing frequently in Mexico, a testament to the Basque diaspora’s migration to Latin America during the colonial era. Similarly, Ubiria, a variant phonetically close to Uridia, is recognized as a Navarrese surname, reinforcing the Kartvelian-Basque connection in this region known for its ancient Basque-speaking communities.
The surname Nodia, while not documented as a surname in Spain, appears as a Spanish given name, hinting at a possible Kartvelian influence on Iberian naming traditions. More striking is Boqueria, a name immortalized by the famous market on Barcelona’s La Rambla. In Kartvelian context, Bokeria is a recognized Georgian surname, suggesting that the market’s name may reflect the presence of Kartvelian-speaking merchants or settlers in Catalonia, a region with its own history of cultural exchange.
In Spain’s La Rioja province, the surname Gabunia—distinctly Megrelian—appears with notable frequency, with records indicating six individuals in a single province. This clustering points to a concentrated Kartvelian diaspora, likely linked to historical migrations from the Caucasus to the Iberian Peninsula. Further afield, in Peru, José Ruiz Gadelia bears the Megrelian surname Gadelia, which also surfaces as a female given name in England, where it is curiously attributed to Northern Wales. This dual usage suggests a complex migration pattern, possibly via Spain, where Kartvelian names were adapted into local cultures.
The surnames Antia, Alania, and Zarandia are classified as Galician in Spain, yet their Kartvelian roots are unmistakable. Galician, like Basque, has a history of cultural and linguistic distinctiveness, and the presence of these surnames in Galicia may reflect ancient Kartvelian-speaking communities in the region. Similarly, Beria poses an etymological puzzle: while Spaniards link it to Italy, the evidence there is sparse, leaving open the possibility of a Kartvelian origin, especially given its prevalence in Georgia.
The Basque Country itself claims several Kartvelian surnames as its own. Saria and Bedia are recognized Basque surnames, often toponymic in nature, reflecting the Basque tradition of naming families after their ancestral homes. Landia and Abaria, the latter an older surname, are also identified as Basque, further solidifying the linguistic overlap. In Catalonia, Loria—a known Kartvelian surname—is considered Catalan, suggesting Kartvelian influence on yet another Iberian region with a distinct linguistic identity.
The transatlantic journey of these surnames continues in Venezuela, where an individual bears the surname Eguri, a name resonant with Kartvelian phonetics. Perhaps most evocative is the surname Egia, linked to a sailor in Columbus’s crew—a figure whose Megrelian origins trace back to Tsalenjikha in Georgia. This same Egia names a district in San Sebastian, a city in the heart of the Basque Country, underscoring the deep historical ties between these two regions. The presence of Egia in both contexts suggests that Kartvelian-speaking peoples may have played a role in the Age of Exploration, their names carried across oceans and etched into the toponymy of the Basque homeland.
These surnames—Uridia, Gabunia, Gadelia, Antia, Beria, Saria, Bedia, Loria, Eguri, and Egia—are not mere coincidences but markers of a profound Kartvelian-Basque connection. From Pamplona to Peru, Barcelona to San Sebastian, they trace the footsteps of ancient Kartvelo-speaking peoples, whose language and culture have left an indelible mark on the world. As we advance our Kartvelology studies, let these names remind us of the shared heritage that unites Sakartvelo and Euskadi, a legacy that continues to illuminate the history of human migration and cultural exchange.
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