Brief History

The Ortega surname has its origins in Spain, specifically in the region of Castile. The name is derived from the Latin word urtica, which means "nettle". Nettles are native to many places in Spain, including Castile, Andalusia, and Murcia.

The Ortega family name is a toponymic surname, meaning it originated from a geographic location. There were several villages named Ortega in Spain, and the name likely came from families who lived near these areas. The surname has various spelling variations, including Ortego, de Ortega, Hortega, and Ortiga.

The Ortega family has a rich history, with notable members such as Juan de Ortega, the first Bishop of Almeria after 1492, and Francisco Ortega, an 18th-century Spanish painter. The name also spread to the New World, with early settlers in Mexico and Latin America.