Desoto

DeSoto is a surname of Spanish origin, derived from the toponym de Soto meaning “from Soto.” It is closely associated with the 16th-century Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, whose expedition through parts of the southeastern United States from 1539 to 1542 helped open the region to later European exploration; he died near the Mississippi River during the voyage.

In the United States, DeSoto is used for a number of places and administrative regions. These include the cities of DeSoto, Texas, and De Soto, Indiana and De Soto, Kansas, as well as DeSoto County in Florida and Mississippi and DeSoto Parish in Louisiana. Florida’s De Soto National Memorial, a National Park Service unit near Bradenton, commemorates de Soto’s expedition, while Mississippi’s De Soto National Forest preserves portions of the region’s inland forested landscape.

In commerce, DeSoto refers to a defunct American automobile marque produced by Chrysler from 1928 to 1961. The brand was named after Hernando de Soto and was positioned as a mid-priced line during its existence.

Beyond places and products, the name DeSoto appears in numerous institutions, streets, and schools named in honor of the explorer. The various toponyms reflect the historical impact of Hernando de Soto and the broader tradition of commemorating early exploration in the United States.