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Dear Lisa:
1. My father's name is Luis Alicea Montalvo, who was born on May 29, 1922 in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico. His father's name was Francisco Alicea Ayala. He married Ramona Montalvo Bonilla in 1896; he was 20 years old and she was 16. That means that Abuelo Francisco was born c.1876. His father's name was Manuel Alicea (haven't ascertained date or place of birth), who married Micaela Ayala.
2. Some of my initial investigations have led me to believe that the "Alicea" name is either Basque (northern region of Spain), French, or possibly Arab. One genealogical site says that its origin in Italian, but I've yet to do some research on that one. Here's what I've been able to glean so far:
a) It is possible (remember, possible) taht the name may have originated from Ali Seid Amin, an Arab leader during the Moor occupation of Spain. The Arab word "alicer" refers to tiles, and "al-'izar" a cloth, una mantilla o un velo. "Ali" is of the same semitic root as "el", from where the name of God is derived in Hebrew. "El" in Hebrew, "Allah" in Arabic. "Ali" means high, sublime, or lifted up.
b) Another possibility is that it may derive from the word "Alique", a contraction of "alizaque," which in Old Arabic was "Alizace," which comes from the word "alicae," that means foundation.
c) When I was working in New York my secretary, now Dr. Elizabeth Vasile, was well versed in Arabic language and culture. She stated that "al" is the articule "el" in Spanish, and that many of the Spanish words that begin with "al" are of Arab originin. She shared that the verb "a-s-a" means peace or consolation. The word "asiyya" comes from that root: "asiyya" = consolation, "Al-asiyya" = the consolation. If you give the word "a'sa" a gutural sound, the meaning changes; it is now to dissent from the community. The plural noun of this root is "Aa'siyyaa" which means rebels. With the article it is "Al-A'siyya." If this is the root word for "Alicea," the meaning is (1) rebels of the community, or (2) ministers of consolation.
d) The name may also be derived from "aliseas," which in botany belongs to the cruciferous plants.
e) "Aliseda" is a place full of birch or white alder trees; whose wood is good for carpentry.
f) "Aliceda" is a region of Spain where archeological excavations were prominent some time back.
g) It is also possible that "Alicea" may have a French origin, "Alise." "Alise" refers to a brook; "alisier" is a service or sorb tree, and "alise" is the fruit of that tree; "alizes" are trade winds. The French name "Alix" is from Lorena, France, and from there it went to Spain, establishing itself in Murcia and Almeria.
This may have been more than that you bargained for, but it is a joy to share with you some of my findings. If this is helpful let me know. I would enjoy continuing to be part of the quest to trace our families' histories.
Blessings to you and your family.
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