Here's a breakdown of its origins:
* Topographic: It likely originated as a topographic surname given to people who lived near a salty place, such as a salt mine, a salt marsh, or a seacoast.
* Occupational: It could also have been an occupational surname given to people who worked with salt, such as salt miners, salt merchants, or salt producers.
Other possibilities:
* Patronimic: In some cases, it might be a patronymic surname, meaning it was derived from a given name. For example, it could have been a shortened form of "Salgado," a given name that was itself derived from the word "salgado."
Distribution:
The last name Salgado is most common in Spain, Portugal, Brazil, and Latin America. This reflects the historical spread of the Spanish language and culture.
Variations:
There are also several variations of the last name Salgado, such as:
* Salgados
* Salgadoes
* Salgadinho
In conclusion:
The last name Salgado is a common Spanish surname with a clear origin in the word "salgado," meaning "salty." It likely originated as a topographic or occupational surname, indicating a connection to salty places or salt-related professions.