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“Emilio Biurrun Gª de Galdeano” is a name on a gravestone.

Am I safe in assuming Garcia? There is more than one G___a apellido elsewhere in the cemetery. But Jose Iglesias Garcia Arenal is frequently called Jose Iglesias Gª-Arenal on web pages.

Glorfindel
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WGroleau
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1 Answers1

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Yes, it is most likely García. Abbreviations of surnames are not standard but, according to Wikilengua, sometimes the first surname is abbreviated when it is very common and the second surname is also given. This is the case in both your examples: "Gª de Galdeano" and "Gª-Arenal". Wikilengua explicitly gives the example of "García: Gª".

This also agrees with my own experience: I have seen García abbreviated as "Gª", but not other surnames like "Guerra".

wimi
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  • I would even say that it would be most surprising to find an example of Gª not meaning García. Same as Mª in a name is always María. – Gorpik Dec 21 '21 at 11:10