Arce

Arce is a term with multiple uses in geography and onomastics. It is a place name found in several Spanish-speaking regions and a surname carried by numerous individuals across the Spanish-speaking world.

As a surname, Arce is of Spanish origin and is typically considered to be toponymic, derived from places named Arce in the Iberian Peninsula. The name may reflect historical associations with a specific locality, or, less directly, with features linked to those places. In addition, the Spanish word arce means maple, a tree that may have influenced some family names or local toponyms in certain regions. While the exact origin can vary by family, the surname is widely found in Spain and in many Latin American countries due to historical settlement and migration.

There are several towns and municipalities named Arce in the Spanish-speaking world. In Spain, Arce exists as a local place name in various regions, and similar to other toponyms, it has been carried to the Americas through colonial and post-colonial settlement. In Latin America, Arce appears in the names of districts, towns, or municipalities, reflecting the shared linguistic and cultural heritage.

People bearing the surname Arce have appeared in diverse fields such as politics, sports, science, and the arts, spanning multiple countries in Europe and the Americas. The name is most commonly associated with Spanish-speaking communities, and its distribution mirrors historical patterns of migration and settlement.