Recorded as Correa, Correas (Spanish), and Correa, Correia and Corriea (Portugese), this is a surname of the Iberian Peninsula. It is believed to originate from the pre 7th century word 'correa' which has a multiplicity of meanings. These include a strap, a belt, a rein, or even a shoelace, the important thing being that what was described was a leather fastening of some sort. This further suggests that the name was occupational, and probably described a manufacturer or merchant of these particular goods. However the ultimate origination is the Roman (Latin) word 'corrigia' meaning a fastening, which could have applied in the Middle Ages to a carter, one who carried goods that were fastened in someway. Occupational surnames did not usually become hereditary until a son, or even a grandson, followed the father into the same line of business. Early examples of the surname recording taken from surviving church registers include Damian Correa and his wife the former Catalina Fernandez, who were christening witnesses at Valladolid, Spain, on February 2nd 1672, and Nicholao Correia at Agua de Pena, Funchal, Portugal, on September 14th 1725.