Finding Etymology of a Surname
Dear Sir:It is very important to me in finding all information you have about a french last name because the Court House do not accept a commited mistake for a relative. I mean, his father's last name was Rivière
but his son's birth certificate says RIVERA in spanish.Now we have to find out etymology, history and everything about the french last name Rivière. Could you help me????Thanks, LUIS E. ROMEROlumaca@telesat.com.co
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Riviere is a French surname. In modern French it means "river", but in Medieval France it meant "river bank" or "lake shore". There are places so caled in France, for example Riviere-sur-Tarn in Aveyron.
I'm not surprised it became Rivera among Spanish speakers. It's an easy transition and Rivera is a good Spanish name. Different meaning of course.
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