Alfarache

Alfarache is a surname of Spanish origin. It is most famously associated with Mateo Alemán's picaresque novel, "Guzmán de Alfarache," published in two parts in 1599 and 1604. The protagonist of this influential work, Guzmán, recounts his life story as a rogue and a vagabond, offering a sharp and often cynical commentary on society. The novel's success led to the surname Alfarache becoming widely recognized, primarily through its literary connection.

While Mateo Alemán was the author, the character Guzmán de Alfarache is the one who carries the name. The novel's enduring popularity and its significant place in Spanish literature have cemented the surname's association with this archetypal pícaro. The term "pícaro" refers to a roguish hero of low social standing who lives by his wits in a corrupt society. Guzmán de Alfarache is considered a pivotal work in the development of the picaresque genre.

Beyond the literary figure, individuals bearing the Alfarache surname exist in various parts of the world, though their prominence is largely overshadowed by the fame of the novel's protagonist. The literary legacy of Guzmán de Alfarache continues to be studied and discussed in academic circles, ensuring that the name Alfarache remains linked to a significant work of Spanish Golden Age literature.