Arroyave Family History
Arroyave Surname Meaning
Basque: Castilianized form of Arroyabe a habitational name from a place called Arroyabe in Araba/Álava province Basque Country (Spain) from Basque arroi ‘gorge ravine’.
It is derived from the combination of two Basque words: arroi, which means ‘gorge’ or ‘ravine’, and be(h)e, meaning ‘below’.
This reflects the geographical characteristics of the location, indicating that it may be situated in a valley or at a lower elevation relative to the surrounding landscape.
Such habitational names are common in the region and often provide insights into the physical features of the area.
The fusion of Basque and Castilian elements in the name illustrates the cultural and linguistic interplay in the Basque Country.
Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022