Parra is a Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese, and Galician surname, derived from the Spanish word parra ('vine bower', 'trellis'), which is a specialized type of trellis along which grapevines are grown. It's a toponymic surname denoting someone who lived in an area known for its viticulture, or a habitational surname for a family from a place named Parra.^[1]

Variations of this surname include Parras ('vine bowers', 'trellises') and Parral ('vineyard').

Etymology

The origin of Spanish word parra is uncertain. Theories as to the origin of the word include being derived from Gothic *𐍀𐌰𐍂𐍂𐌰 (parra) or Medieval Latin parricus, the latter of which is either a native word or borrowed from Frankish *parrik. All three of these words refer to a trellis or fence.^[2]

The Spanish word for a grapevine is vid, from Latin vitis (‘vine’). When a grapevine grows on a trellis or fence it’s called a parra, as both the trellis and grapevine have become one. An example of the poetic merging of definitions.

What is a Parra?

A parra is simply a grapevine that grows on a trellis or fence.

The 1st century Roman author Columella was among the first to describe the process by which grapevines were raised up on trellises. This was done to make the pruning and propagation of grapevines easier for the viticulturist. It also has the added bonus of raising the grapevines up away from pests who want to make a meal out of the grapes.

Over the centuries, different cultures developed their own best practices when it came to growing grapevines. The primary determiners for what type of parra to build depends on the grape cultivar, soil fertility, topography, climate, and available labour.^[3]

In Italy and Spain, the pergola is a traditional type of trellis system that allows for grapevines to grow well in hot, arid climates. The vines spread out across an elevated trellis to create a uniform canopy, keeping the canopy dry to avoid fungal diseases. The shade provided in turn shading the grapes from direct sunlight while helping retain the moisture of the soil below. If the vines are trained to hang down far enough, the grapes can be easily harvested by hand (or machine).^[4]

Sistema tradicional de enrejado estilo pérgola en Rías Baxias, Galicia, España.

Parra as a surname

The surname Parra is but one of many Spanish surnames. It's not the most common but it's not by any means rare. In the United States, a country with a large Hispanic population, Parra is the 943rd most popular surname.^[5]

Almost every autonomous community in Spain has an agricultural region with the ideal mix of soil type, slope, and weather for viticulture. Perhaps the most notable examples of towns bearing the name are La Parra in Badajoz, Extremadura and Las Parras de Castellote in Teruel, Aragón.

Among Sephardi Jews, the surname Parra is closely associated with the town of La Parra, Badajoz, where a large Jewish community once thrived before their expulsion from Spain following the Alhambra Decree in 1492.^[6]

During Spanish colonization, many of the indigenous peoples of the Americas were given Spanish surnames upon baptism, enslavement, or marriage to a Spaniard or Mestizo (mixed-race person). If the place where you were baptized happened to be called Parra or was otherwise known for its viticulture, then Parra became your surname.^[7] Two notable places in the Americas with this place name are Hidalgo del Parral in Chihuahua, Mexico and Parral in Región del Maule, Chile.

If you or someone you know has this surname, they can probably trace their lineage back to one of the historical viticultural regions of Spain, or to a place that was colonized by the Spanish.

Map of Spain highlighting various viticultural regions, each one uniquely suited to the growing of different types of grapevines.

Notable people

A few notable people with the surname include:

• Alonda de la Parra - Mexican conductor, cultural ambassador, and artistic director of the Orquesta y Coro de la Comunidad de Madrid
• Emoé de la Parra - Mexican actress and academic who teaches philosophy at UNAM and other Mexican universities
• Nicanor Parra - famous Chilean “anti-poet” and theoretical physicist
• Pim de la Parra - Portuguese-Jewish Dutch-Surinamese film director most famously known for directing the groundbreaking 1976 Surinamese film Wan Pipel

Conclusion

In Hispanic culture, it’s considered an honour for your family to be associated with viticulture. It’s a labour-intensive process that requires careful pruning of the grapevines in order to ensure successful growth and propagation. The craft has a rich cultural history that spans the entirety of human history, from first the earliest evidence of winemaking in Georgia about 8,000 years ago to contemporary wine culture and viticultural sustainability in a rapidly changing climate.

Parra is a uniquely beautiful surname with layers of meaning. How people end up with this surname is a story all its own. 🍇

Parra de uvas Merlot en la Valle de Napa, California.

Sources

1. Hanks, P., Lenarčič, S., & McClure, P. (Eds.). (2022). Dictionary of American Family Names (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. 10 March 2024, Web.
2. Parra. Wiktionary. 10 March 2024, Web.
3. Viticulture. Wikipedia. 10 March 2024, Web
4. Krebiehl, A. Why vineyards and vines look different from one another. Wine Enthusiast. 10 March 2024, Web.
5. 2010 Surnames. United States Census. 10 March 2024, Web
6. Álvarez, A. M. L. & Benito. (2003). Vol. 73. Juderías y sinagogas de la Sefarad medieval. Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha. p. 5. Print.
7. Morales, D. S. & Schmal, J. P. (2003). INDIGENOUS MEXICO: A LOST CONNECTION. Houston Institute for Culture. 10 March 2024, Web.

_{Disclaimer: For reasons of personal privacy, I can neither confirm nor deny my association with this surname. I just think it's neat!}

This is the harvest from our Edelweiss vine, the earliest vine to ripen in our garden. About 5 lbs of grapes from the one plant.