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    700+ Best Spanish Last Names with Meanings: Full List

    Šinko JuricaBy 22 Mins Read
    Best Spanish Last Names with Meanings

    I still remember the smell of roasting coffee and old paper in my grandfather’s study. It was a small, cluttered room in the back of his house, smelling faintly of tobacco and cedar. He was a proud man, deeply connected to his roots, and he loved nothing more than digging through dusty genealogy records. One afternoon, he pulled out a faded map of Spain, traced a finger from the rugged coast of Galicia down to the sun-baked plains of Andalusia, and told me, “Every name on this map tells a story, mijo. You just have to listen.”

    That moment stuck with me.

    It kicked off a lifelong obsession with understanding where we come from. If you are reading this, you probably feel that same pull. Maybe you’re looking to reconnect with a heritage you’ve only heard whispers about. Perhaps you are an author searching for the perfect character name for a novel, or maybe you just want to win a bet about where the name “Garcia” actually comes from. Whatever brought you here, you’ve realized that the best Spanish last names are more than just labels on a driver’s license; they are history wrapped in syllables.

    Spanish surnames carry the weight of centuries. They speak of ancient professions, describe landscapes that no longer exist, and trace bloodlines back to specific patriarchs who lived and died a thousand years ago.

    Let’s explore this vast world together.

    Also Read: Best Japanese Boy Names with Meanings and Best Reindeer Names with Meanings

    Key Takeaways

    • Patronymic Origins: A huge percentage of Spanish surnames end in “-ez,” indicating “son of.”
    • Geographic Roots: Many names describe the terrain where an ancestor lived, like Delgado or Montoya.
    • Occupational Clues: Names like Guerrero (warrior) or Herrera (smith) reveal what your ancestors did for a living.
    • Two Surnames: Understanding the Spanish custom of using both the father’s and mother’s surnames is crucial for genealogy.
    • The Big List: We have compiled an extensive list of over 700 names to help you find exactly what you need.

    How did this whole naming system actually start?

    Have you ever wondered why your friend is named Rodriguez while your neighbor is named Castillo? The systems vary wildly, and honestly, it used to be a mess.

    Go back to the Middle Ages. Populations were exploding. Tiny villages turned into bustling towns. Suddenly, shouting “Juan!” in the market square turned ten heads instead of one. It was chaos. People needed a way to distinguish themselves, not for bureaucracy, but just to function in daily life. This necessity birthed the surname system we know today.

    It wasn’t a centralized decision by some king sitting on a throne. It happened organically, messy and uneven, across the Iberian Peninsula. Some folks took their father’s name because that was the easiest identifier. Others looked at the big oak tree near their house and decided, “That works.” Others adopted the name of their trade because that’s all they knew.

    I recall a trip to a tiny village outside of Burgos years ago. I met an old man named Moliner. He was a baker, hands covered in flour, but he told me his name meant “Miller.” His ancestors didn’t bake the bread; they ground the wheat. It was a direct line to a job held five hundred years ago, preserved in a single word.

    What is the real secret behind the “-ez” suffix?

    You see it everywhere. Martinez. Hernandez. Perez. It dominates phone books and credit cards. But why?

    The suffix “-ez” (and sometimes “-iz,” “-az,” or “-oz”) is patronymic. It simply means “son of.” It’s the Spanish equivalent of the English “-son” in Johnson or the Irish “O'” in O’Brien.

    When you see Rodriguez, you are looking at “The son of Rodrigo.” Gonzalez is “The son of Gonzalo.”

    It’s a fascinating system because it changes with every generation—or at least it used to. In the 11th century, if Rodrigo had a son named Sancho, he became Sancho Rodriguez. If Sancho had a son named Juan, he became Juan Sanchez. It was fluid. It was alive. Eventually, bureaucracy caught up, and these names froze in time, becoming the permanent family names we use today.

    The Great List: Patronymic Surnames (A-G)

    Here is where we start our deep dive. These are some of the most common and historically significant patronymic names.

    1. Álvarez: Son of Álvaro (Guardian of all).
    2. Antúnez: Son of Antón.
    3. Benítez: Son of Benito (Blessed).
    4. Bermúdez: Son of Bermudo.
    5. Blázquez: Son of Blasco.
    6. Chávez: Son of Chavo (or relation to keys).
    7. Díaz: Son of Diego.
    8. Díez: Son of Diego.
    9. Domínguez: Son of Domingo (of the Lord).
    10. Enríquez: Son of Enrique (Home ruler).
    11. Estévez: Son of Esteban (Crown/Garland).
    12. Fernández: Son of Fernando (Brave traveler).
    13. Galíndez: Son of Galindo.
    14. Gálvez: Son of Galve.
    15. García: Son of Garcia (The most common surname in Spain/Mexico).
    16. Giménez: Son of Gimeno.
    17. Gómez: Son of Gome.
    18. González: Son of Gonzalo (War).
    19. Gutiérrez: Son of Gutierre.

    The Great List: Patronymic Surnames (H-Z)

    1. Hernández: Son of Hernando.
    2. Ibáñez: Son of Iban (John).
    3. Jiménez: Son of Jimeno.
    4. López: Son of Lope (Wolf).
    5. Márquez: Son of Marcos.
    6. Martínez: Son of Martín (Warlike).
    7. Meléndez: Son of Melendo.
    8. Menéndez: Son of Menendo.
    9. Minguéz: Son of Mingo.
    10. Muñoz: Son of Muño.
    11. Núñez: Son of Nuño.
    12. Ordóñez: Son of Ordoño.
    13. Ortiz: Son of Orti (Brave).
    14. Páez: Son of Payo.
    15. Peláez: Son of Pelayo.
    16. Pérez: Son of Pedro (Rock).
    17. Ramírez: Son of Ramiro.
    18. Rodríguez: Son of Rodrigo (Famous power).
    19. Ruiz: Son of Ruy.
    20. Sánchez: Son of Sancho (Saintly).
    21. Suárez: Son of Suero.
    22. Téllez: Son of Tello.
    23. Valdez: Son of Baldo.
    24. Vázquez: Son of Vasco.
    25. Velázquez: Son of Velasco.
    26. Vélez: Son of Vela.
    27. Yáñez: Son of Juan.

    Did your ancestors live near a landmark?

    Geography played a massive role in naming. Imagine a medieval census taker asking a man who he is. “I’m Juan,” he says. “Which Juan?” “The one by the river.” Boom. Juan Rivera.

    These are known as toponymic surnames. They are incredibly poetic because they paint a picture of the Spanish countryside as it looked centuries ago. If a family lived near a castle, they became Castillo. If they lived near a rocky outcrop, they became Peña.

    I have a friend named Montoya. We looked it up once over beers. It refers to a place in the Basque country, essentially meaning “pasture with rushes.” Every time I say his name now, I don’t just see him; I imagine green hills and wild grass blowing in the wind of northern Spain.

    Geographic and Toponymic Surnames (A-C)

    1. Acosta: Coastal dweller.
    2. Aguilar: Place of eagles.
    3. Alamilla: Poplar grove.
    4. Álamos: Poplar trees.
    5. Alcázar: The fortress/palace.
    6. Aldana: A slope.
    7. Alfaro: The beacon/lighthouse.
    8. Alvarado: Place by the white hill.
    9. Amador: Lover (often associated with a place of love/devotion).
    10. Aranda: A river valley.
    11. Arce: Maple tree.
    12. Arellano: The farm of Aurelius.
    13. Arenas: Sands.
    14. Arroyo: Small stream/brook.
    15. Ávila: From the city of Ávila.
    16. Avilés: From Avilés.
    17. Ayala: A place on the hillside.
    18. Barajas: Place of decks/fortifications.
    19. Barragán: Strong youth (also a place name).
    20. Barrera: Barrier or clay pit.
    21. Barrios: Neighborhoods.
    22. Becerra: Young cow (place of cattle).
    23. Beltrán: Bright raven (often a place name origin).
    24. Benavides: Son of Avid (place name).
    25. Bolívar: Meadow mill.
    26. Bonilla: Good little place.
    27. Borja: Tower.
    28. Bosque: Forest.
    29. Burgos: From the city of Burgos.
    30. Bustamante: Pasture of the lover.
    31. Caballero: Knight (often associated with lands granted to knights).
    32. Cabrera: Place of goats.
    33. Caldéron: Cauldron (geological basin).
    34. Calle: Street.
    35. Camacho: Twisted (possibly terrain).
    36. Campos: Fields.
    37. Canales: Canals/Channels.
    38. Cano: Grey-haired (or from a cave).
    39. Cantú: Edge/Border.
    40. Cárdenas: Slate blue (place name).
    41. Carrasco: Holm oak tree.
    42. Carrillo: Cart/Wagon (or cheek of a hill).
    43. Casalas: Houses.
    44. Castañeda: Chestnut grove.
    45. Castellanos: Castilians.
    46. Castillo: Castle.
    47. Castro: Fortified camp.
    48. Cervantes: Deer place.
    49. Cisneros: Place of swans.
    50. Colón: Dove.
    51. Córdoba: From the city of Cordoba.
    52. Coronado: Crowned (place name).
    53. Corrales: Corrals/Yards.
    54. Cortés: Courteous (or from a court).
    55. Costa: Coast.
    56. Crespo: Curly (terrain or hair).
    57. Cruz: Cross (lived near a crossroads or shrine).
    58. Cuéllar: Collar (place name).
    59. Cuevas: Caves.

    Geographic and Toponymic Surnames (D-L)

    1. Dávila: From Ávila.
    2. De la Cruz: Of the Cross.
    3. De la Fuente: Of the Fountain.
    4. De la Rosa: Of the Rose.
    5. De la Torre: Of the Tower.
    6. De León: Of the Lion (region of León).
    7. Delgado: Thin (also a specific place).
    8. Del Río: Of the River.
    9. Duran: Hard/Enduring.
    10. Echeverría: New house (Basque).
    11. Elizondo: By the church (Basque).
    12. Escalante: Climber (steep place).
    13. Escamilla: Little bench.
    14. Escobar: Place of broom plants.
    15. Espinoza: Thorny place.
    16. Esquivel: Behind the lime trees.
    17. Estrada: Paved road.
    18. Fajardo: Grove of beech trees.
    19. Feliciano: Happy (place).
    20. Ferrer: Smith (place of smiths).
    21. Figueroa: Fig tree grove.
    22. Flores: Flowers.
    23. Fonseca: Dry fountain.
    24. Fontana: Fountain.
    25. Fuentes: Fountains/Springs.
    26. Galindo: Place name.
    27. Gallardo: Gallant/Striking.
    28. Gallegos: People from Galicia.
    29. Galván: Sparrow hawk.
    30. Gamboa: Quince.
    31. Garay: High place (Basque).
    32. García: (Also geographic in some contexts).
    33. Garza: Heron (lived near heron nesting).
    34. Gil: Shield bearer.
    35. Godoy: Place name.
    36. Granados: Pomegranate trees.
    37. Guerra: War.
    38. Guevara: Place of ferns.
    39. Guillén: William.
    40. Guzmán: Good man (or place name).
    41. Haro: Beacon.
    42. Heredia: Heritage/Inherited land.
    43. Hernando: Brave journey.
    44. Herrera: Iron mine/Smithy.
    45. Hidalgo: Nobleman.
    46. Hinojosa: Fennel field.
    47. Holguín: Pleasure/recreation.
    48. Huerta: Orchard/Garden.
    49. Hurtado: Robbed (hidden place).
    50. Ibarra: The valley (Basque).
    51. Iglesias: Churches.
    52. Infante: Infant/Child (Royal).
    53. Irizarry: Town of the stones.
    54. Jaén: From Jaén.
    55. Jaramillo: Place of wild garlic.
    56. Jimeno: Hearkening.
    57. Jordán: Flowing down.
    58. Juárez: Army.
    59. Jurado: Sworn.
    60. Lago: Lake.
    61. Laguna: Lagoon.
    62. Landa: Heath/Field.
    63. Lara: Pagan household god/place name.
    64. Larios: Place name.
    65. Leal: Loyal.
    66. Ledesma: Place name.
    67. Lemus: From Limousin (France).
    68. León: Lion (Region).
    69. Lerma: Place name.
    70. Linares: Flax fields.
    71. Lira: Ridge between furrows.
    72. Llamas: Flames (or marshy place).
    73. Lobo: Wolf.
    74. Longoria: Long riverbank.
    75. Lozano: Lush/Green.
    76. Lucero: Morning star/Bright.
    77. Luna: Moon.

    Geographic and Toponymic Surnames (M-R)

    1. Macías: Messiah.
    2. Madera: Wood/Timber.
    3. Madrigal: Song/Channel.
    4. Madrid: From Madrid.
    5. Maldonado: Ill-favored (fortress name).
    6. Mancilla: Stain/Spot.
    7. Manrique: Powerful man.
    8. Manzano: Apple tree.
    9. Marín: Of the sea.
    10. Mariscal: Marshal.
    11. Marrero: Stonemason.
    12. Martí: Warlike.
    13. Mata: Shrub/Bush.
    14. Matos: Thicket.
    15. Mayorga: Place name.
    16. Medina: City (Arabic origin).
    17. Medrano: Abundance (of fear/measures).
    18. Mejía: Messiah.
    19. Méndez: Son of Mendo.
    20. Mendoza: Cold mountain.
    21. Mercado: Market.
    22. Merino: Judge/Sheep inspector.
    23. Mesa: Table (Plateau).
    24. Meza: Plateau.
    25. Miramontes: Look at mountains.
    26. Miranda: Viewing place.
    27. Mireles: Place name.
    28. Mojica: Place name.
    29. Molina: Mill.
    30. Monroy: Red mountain.
    31. Montalvo: White mountain.
    32. Montaño: Mountain dweller.
    33. Montemayor: Major mountain.
    34. Montenegro: Black mountain.
    35. Montero: Beater/Hunter.
    36. Montes: Mountains.
    37. Montoya: Pasture of rushes.
    38. Mora: Blackberry.
    39. Morales: Mulberry trees.
    40. Moreno: Dark haired/skinned.
    41. Mota: Mound.
    42. Moya: Place name.
    43. Munguía: Place name.
    44. Murillo: Small wall.
    45. Narváez: Place name.
    46. Nava: Treeless plateau.
    47. Navarrete: From Navarre.
    48. Navarro: From Navarre.
    49. Navas: Plains.
    50. Negrete: Blackish.
    51. Nieto: Grandson.
    52. Nieves: Snows.
    53. Niño: Child.
    54. Noriega: North place.
    55. Novoa: New one.
    56. Ocampo: Field.
    57. Ocasio: Opportunity.
    58. Ochoa: Wolf (Basque).
    59. Ojeda: Place name.
    60. Oliva: Olive.
    61. Olivares: Olive groves.
    62. Olivarez: Olive groves.
    63. Olivera: Olive tree.
    64. Olivo: Olive tree.
    65. Olmos: Elm trees.
    66. Olvera: Place name.
    67. Oñate: At the foot of the pass.
    68. Oquendo: Empty place.
    69. Orellana: Place name.
    70. Orozco: Place of holly trees.
    71. Ortega: Nettle plant.
    72. Osuna: Place of bears.
    73. Otero: Height/Hill.
    74. Oviedo: Flock of sheep.
    75. Pacheco: Noble one.
    76. Padilla: Small frying pan (bread oven).
    77. Padrón: Census/Register (or father).
    78. Palacios: Palaces.
    79. Palomino: Young dove.
    80. Palomo: Dove.
    81. Pantoja: Place name.
    82. Pardo: Brown/Dark grey.
    83. Paredes: Walls.
    84. Parra: Grapevine.
    85. Partida: Departure/Game.
    86. Pascual: Easter/Passover.
    87. Pastor: Shepherd.
    88. Patiño: Little duck.
    89. Paz: Peace.
    90. Pedraza: Stony place.
    91. Pedroza: Stony place.
    92. Pena: Rock/Boulder.
    93. Peña: Rock/Boulder.
    94. Perales: Pear trees.
    95. Peralta: High rock.
    96. Perea: Pear tree.
    97. Pereyra: Pear tree.
    98. Pichardo: Place name.
    99. Pineda: Pine grove.
    100. Pino: Pine tree.
    101. Pinto: Painted/Spotted.
    102. Pizarro: Slate.
    103. Plaza: Town square.
    104. Polanco: Place name.
    105. Ponce: Fifth.
    106. Porras: Clubs/Leeks.
    107. Portillo: Small port/Pass.
    108. Pozo: Well.
    109. Prado: Meadow.
    110. Preciado: Valued.
    111. Prieto: Dark/Tight.
    112. Puente: Bridge.
    113. Puga: Thorn/Prickle.
    114. Pulido: Polished/Neat.
    115. Quesada: Place of cheese.
    116. Quezada: Place of cheese.
    117. Quintana: Country house.
    118. Quintanilla: Small country house.
    119. Quintero: Farmer.
    120. Quiñones: Shares of land.
    121. Quiroz: Strong/Rock.
    122. Rael: Lord’s light.
    123. Ramos: Branches/Bouquets.
    124. Rangel: Place name.
    125. Raya: Line/Border.
    126. Real: Royal.
    127. Rebollo: Oak trunk.
    128. Redondo: Round (terrain).
    129. Regalado: Gifted.
    130. Reina: Queen.
    131. Rendón: Unexpectedly.
    132. Rentería: Tax collector’s office.
    133. Reséndez: Son of Rudesind.
    134. Reyes: Kings.
    135. Reyna: Queen.
    136. Reynoso: Place name.
    137. Rico: Rich.
    138. Rincón: Corner.
    139. Ríos: Rivers.
    140. Rivas: Banks/Shores.
    141. Rivera: Riverbank.
    142. Rivero: River.
    143. Robles: Oak trees.
    144. Roca: Rock.
    145. Rocha: Rock/Tower.
    146. Rodas: Wheels (or Rhodes).
    147. Rojo: Red.
    148. Roldán: Famous land.
    149. Román: Roman.
    150. Romero: Pilgrim (to Rome) or Rosemary.
    151. Romo: Flat-nosed.
    152. Roque: Rock.
    153. Rosado: Pink.
    154. Rosales: Rose bushes.
    155. Rosas: Roses.
    156. Royo: Red.
    157. Rubio: Blond.
    158. Rueda: Wheel.

    Geographic and Toponymic Surnames (S-Z)

    1. Saavedra: Hall of the old castle.
    2. Sáenz: Son of Sancho.
    3. Sáiz: Son of Saiz.
    4. Salas: Halls.
    5. Salazar: Old hall.
    6. Salcedo: Willow grove.
    7. Salcido: Willow.
    8. Saldaña: Place name.
    9. Saldivar: Old knight.
    10. Salgado: Salted.
    11. Salinas: Salt mines.
    12. Sampayo: Saint Pelayo.
    13. Sanabria: Place name.
    14. San Miguel: Saint Michael.
    15. Santana: Saint Anna.
    16. Santiago: Saint James.
    17. Santillán: Saint Julian.
    18. Santos: Saints.
    19. Sanz: Son of Sancho.
    20. Sarabia: Place name.
    21. Sarmiento: Vine shoot.
    22. Saucedo: Willow grove.
    23. Segovia: From Segovia.
    24. Segura: Safe/Secure.
    25. Sepúlveda: Place to bury.
    26. Serna: Cultivated field.
    27. Serrano: Highlander/Mountaineer.
    28. Sevilla: From Seville.
    29. Sierra: Mountain range/Saw.
    30. Silva: Forest.
    31. Simón: Snub-nosed.
    32. Solano: East wind/Sunny place.
    33. Solís: Sun.
    34. Soria: From Soria.
    35. Sosa: Seaweed (soda ash).
    36. Sotelo: Little thicket.
    37. Soto: Grove/Thicket.
    38. Sotomayor: Great grove.
    39. Tapia: Mud wall.
    40. Tejada: Tiled roof.
    41. Tejeda: Yew tree grove.
    42. Tello: Earth/Tile.
    43. Terán: Place name.
    44. Terrazas: Terraces.
    45. Tijerina: Scissor maker (or place).
    46. Tirado: Cast/Thrown.
    47. Toledo: From Toledo.
    48. Tolentino: From Tolentino.
    49. Toro: Bull.
    50. Torres: Towers.
    51. Tovar: Tufa stone.
    52. Trejo: Place name.
    53. Treviño: Boundary stone.
    54. Trinidad: Trinity.
    55. Trujillo: From Trujillo.
    56. Ubeda: From Ubeda.
    57. Ulloa: Place name.
    58. Urbina: City dweller/Two waters.
    59. Ureña: Place name.
    60. Urquiza: Birch tree.
    61. Vaca: Cow.
    62. Valadez: Son of Valado.
    63. Valderrama: Valley of the branch.
    64. Valdés: Valley.
    65. Valdivia: Valley of light.
    66. Valencia: Valor/Health (City).
    67. Valentín: Strong/Healthy.
    68. Valenzuela: Little Valencia.
    69. Valera: Valor.
    70. Valero: Valiant.
    71. Valle: Valley.
    72. Vallejo: Small valley.
    73. Valles: Valleys.
    74. Varela: Stick/Rod.
    75. Vargas: Hut/Steep hill.
    76. Vega: Meadow.
    77. Vela: Sail/Watchman.
    78. Velasco: Crow.
    79. Velásquez: Son of Velasco.
    80. Venegas: Place name.
    81. Vera: Edge/Border.
    82. Verdugo: Executioner/Young shoot.
    83. Vergara: Bergara (Basque place).
    84. Vidal: Life.
    85. Viera: Scallop shell.
    86. Vigil: Watchful.
    87. Villa: Town.
    88. Villagrán: Grand town.
    89. Villalobos: Town of wolves.
    90. Villalpando: Place name.
    91. Villanueva: New town.
    92. Villarreal: Royal town.
    93. Villaseñor: Lord of the town.
    94. Villegas: Town of Egas.
    95. Ybarra: The valley.
    96. Yepes: Place name.
    97. Zambrano: Place name.
    98. Zamora: Wild olives.
    99. Zamudio: Place name.
    100. Zapata: Shoe/Boot.
    101. Zaragoza: From Zaragoza.
    102. Zarate: Wolf pass.
    103. Zavala: Broad place.
    104. Zayas: Place name.
    105. Zepeda: Place of tree stumps.
    106. Zúñiga: Place name.
    107. Zurita: Place of doves.

    Was your great-grandfather a smith or a soldier?

    Occupational surnames are straightforward but deeply evocative. They tell you exactly how your ancestors put food on the table, often in grim detail. When I meet someone named Guerrero, I don’t just see a name; I see a history of battle, of shields clashing and mud flying. When I meet a Calderón, I picture a coppersmith working over a hot fire, sweat dripping down his nose.

    These names are badges of honor. They survived because the trade survived within the family.

    Occupational Surnames

    1. Abad: Abbot.
    2. Alcalde: Mayor.
    3. Alfaro: Potter.
    4. Alguacil: Constable/Sheriff.
    5. Barbero: Barber.
    6. Botello: Bottle maker.
    7. Caballero: Knight/Horseman.
    8. Cabrero: Goatherd.
    9. Calderón: Cauldron maker.
    10. Camarillo: Chamberlain.
    11. Cantarero: Pitcher maker.
    12. Capitán: Captain.
    13. Carpintero: Carpenter.
    14. Carretero: Carter/Wagoner.
    15. Casas: Builder of houses.
    16. Caudillo: Leader/Chief.
    17. Colon: Farmer.
    18. Comisario: Commissioner.
    19. Conde: Count.
    20. Cordero: Lamb (Shepherd).
    21. Correa: Leather strap maker.
    22. Criado: Servant.
    23. Escribano: Scribe.
    24. Escudero: Squire/Shield maker.
    25. Ferreira: Smith.
    26. Ferrer: Smith.
    27. Flecha: Arrow maker.
    28. Guerrero: Warrior.
    29. Herrera: Blacksmith.
    30. Herrero: Blacksmith.
    31. Jurado: Juror.
    32. Labrador: Farmer/Laborer.
    33. Lanza: Lancer.
    34. Leñero: Woodcutter.
    35. Librero: Bookseller.
    36. Maestro: Teacher/Master.
    37. Maldonado: (Can imply a specific role).
    38. Marinero: Sailor.
    39. Marino: Sailor.
    40. Márquez: Marquis.
    41. Matador: Killer (Butcher).
    42. Médico: Doctor.
    43. Melero: Honey seller.
    44. Mercader: Merchant.
    45. Molinero: Miller.
    46. Monje: Monk.
    47. Montador: Mounter/Assembler.
    48. Notario: Notary.
    49. Obispo: Bishop.
    50. Obrero: Worker.
    51. Oller: Potter.
    52. Panadero: Baker.
    53. Parra: Vintner (Grapevine tender).
    54. Pastrana: Shepherd.
    55. Pelayo: Sailor (or name of a King).
    56. Pellicer: Furrier.
    57. Peregrino: Pilgrim.
    58. Pescador: Fisherman.
    59. Pintor: Painter.
    60. Portero: Doorkeeper/Porter.
    61. Prieto: Dark (but can refer to a steward).
    62. Provisor: Provider/Steward.
    63. Reina: Queen (Played in a pageant or worked for).
    64. Rey: King.
    65. Reyes: Kings.
    66. Sacristán: Sexton.
    67. Sastre: Tailor.
    68. Segador: Reaper/Harvester.
    69. Soldado: Soldier.
    70. Tejedor: Weaver.
    71. Tejero: Tile maker.
    72. Tenorio: Tenor/Ladykiller (literary).
    73. Torero: Bullfighter.
    74. Vaquero: Cowboy.
    75. Verdugo: Executioner.
    76. Vicario: Vicar.
    77. Zapatero: Shoemaker.

    What if your last name describes your great-grandfather’s nose?

    I’m serious. Some of the most colorful names are descriptive, and they often started as village nicknames that just stuck.

    Imagine a man with bright red hair walking through a plaza in 1400s Castile. The village calls him Rojo. That’s it. That’s his name now. Or a guy with a remarkably pleasant disposition becomes Bueno.

    I once knew a Delgado who was, ironically, a linebacker of a man. It made me wonder if his ancestor was exceptionally thin, or if the name was given ironically centuries ago. Spanish humor is old, dry, and unforgiving. These names capture that spirit.

    Descriptive Surnames

    1. Alegria: Joy.
    2. Amado: Loved.
    3. Amigo: Friend.
    4. Bello: Beautiful.
    5. Blanco: White.
    6. Bravo: Brave/Fierce.
    7. Bueno: Good.
    8. Calvo: Bald.
    9. Cano: Grey-haired.
    10. Caro: Dear/Expensive.
    11. Chico: Small/Boy.
    12. Clemente: Merciful.
    13. Cortés: Polite.
    14. Delgado: Thin.
    15. Dulce: Sweet.
    16. Escobar: Broom (Scruffy?).
    17. Fajardo: Bundle (Stout?).
    18. Feo: Ugly.
    19. Firme: Firm/Strong.
    20. Franco: Frank/Free.
    21. Galan: Gallant.
    22. Galana: Elegant.
    23. Gordillo: Plump.
    24. Gordo: Fat.
    25. Grande: Big.
    26. Guapo: Handsome.
    27. Hermoso: Beautiful.
    28. Leal: Loyal.
    29. Lindo: Pretty.
    30. Lozano: Healthy/Lush.
    31. Malo: Bad.
    32. Manso: Gentle/Tame.
    33. Moreno: Dark-haired.
    34. Mudo: Mute.
    35. Noble: Noble.
    36. Pardo: Swarthy.
    37. Pequeño: Small.
    38. Pinto: Spotted/Colorful.
    39. Prieto: Dark.
    40. Pulido: Neat.
    41. Recio: Tough/Strong.
    42. Redondo: Round.
    43. Rico: Rich.
    44. Rojo: Red.
    45. Romero: Pilgrim.
    46. Rosado: Pink/Rosy.
    47. Rubio: Blond.
    48. Sabio: Wise.
    49. Salado: Witty/Salted.
    50. Salvaje: Wild.
    51. Seco: Dry (humor or skin).
    52. Serio: Serious.
    53. Sordo: Deaf.
    54. Tierno: Tender.
    55. Valiente: Brave.
    56. Veloz: Fast.
    57. Viejo: Old.

    Are there connections to nobility or religion?

    Religion wasn’t just a part of life in old Spain; it was life. It was the spine of society. Names like Iglesias (Churches) or Santana (Saint Anna) reflect this deep, often desperate piety.

    Often, babies left at convent doorsteps were given religious surnames because the nuns didn’t know who the father was. They gave the child to God. So if your last name is De Dios, there is a poignant, perhaps sad, history there.

    Noble names also persist. If you carry a name like Hidalgo or Marques, somewhere down the line, an ancestor might have held a title—or perhaps they just worked for the guy who did and adopted the name to sound more important. People have been faking it till they make it for centuries.

    Religious and Noble Surnames

    1. Abad: Abbot.
    2. Altar: Altar.
    3. Ángel: Angel.
    4. Apóstol: Apostle.
    5. Asunción: Assumption.
    6. Bautista: Baptist.
    7. Belén: Bethlehem.
    8. Bendito: Blessed.
    9. Castellanos: Of the castle.
    10. Cielo: Heaven.
    11. Concepción: Conception.
    12. Corona: Crown.
    13. Cristo: Christ.
    14. Cruz: Cross.
    15. De Dios: Of God.
    16. De Jesús: Of Jesus.
    17. De la Cruz: Of the Cross.
    18. De los Santos: Of the Saints.
    19. Del Rosario: Of the Rosary.
    20. Dios: God.
    21. Domingo: Sunday (Lord’s Day).
    22. Duque: Duke.
    23. Encarnación: Incarnation.
    24. Espíritu: Spirit.
    25. Evangelista: Evangelist.
    26. Fray: Friar.
    27. Gabriel: Gabriel.
    28. Gracia: Grace.
    29. Iglesias: Churches.
    30. Infante: Prince/Infant.
    31. Jesús: Jesus.
    32. Luz: Light.
    33. Milagros: Miracles.
    34. Monasterio: Monastery.
    35. Nadal: Christmas.
    36. Navidad: Christmas.
    37. Obispo: Bishop.
    38. Oración: Prayer.
    39. Padre: Father/Priest.
    40. Palacio: Palace.
    41. Pascual: Paschal.
    42. Pastor: Shepherd.
    43. Paz: Peace.
    44. Peregrino: Pilgrim.
    45. Pontífice: Pontiff.
    46. Príncipe: Prince.
    47. Pureza: Purity.
    48. Reina: Queen.
    49. Reyes: Kings (Three Wise Men).
    50. Rosario: Rosary.
    51. Sacramento: Sacrament.
    52. Sacristán: Sacristan.
    53. Salvador: Savior.
    54. San Juan: Saint John.
    55. San Martín: Saint Martin.
    56. San Miguel: Saint Michael.
    57. San Pedro: Saint Peter.
    58. Sancho: Saintly.
    59. Santa: Saint (Female).
    60. Santacruz: Holy Cross.
    61. Santana: Saint Anna.
    62. Santiago: Saint James.
    63. Santillán: Saint Julian.
    64. Santo: Saint.
    65. Santos: Saints.
    66. Serafín: Seraphim.
    67. Trinidad: Trinity.
    68. Vallejo: Little valley (religious retreat).
    69. Vicario: Vicar.
    70. Virgen: Virgin.

    What about Basque and Catalan names?

    Spain is not a monolith. It is a collection of distinct, proud, and sometimes stubborn cultures. The Basque country in the north has a language unrelated to any other on Earth. It’s ancient. Basque surnames like Echeverría or Mendoza are sharp, distinct, and proud. They often describe the ancestral home with incredible precision.

    Catalonia, on the eastern coast, also has its own flavor. Names like Ferrer (Smith) or Puig (Hill) are Catalan staples. Knowing the region of origin helps you pinpoint exactly where to look on that map.

    Basque, Catalan, and Other Regional Surnames

    1. Aguirre: Prominent place (Basque).
    2. Aiza: Cliff (Basque).
    3. Alberdi: Slate quarry (Basque).
    4. Alcántara: The bridge (Arabic origin).
    5. Alemán: German.
    6. Amaya: End/Limit (Basque).
    7. Andrade: Place name (Galician).
    8. Aramburu: Head of the valley (Basque).
    9. Arana: Valley (Basque).
    10. Arce: Stone/Maple (Basque).
    11. Arellano: Oak grove (Basque).
    12. Arriaga: Place of stones (Basque).
    13. Arteaga: Place of holm oaks (Basque).
    14. Artigas: Clearing (Basque).
    15. Ayala: Slope (Basque).
    16. Azcárate: Maple pass (Basque).
    17. Balaguer: Place name (Catalan).
    18. Baró: Baron (Catalan).
    19. Barrio: District (Basque).
    20. Bengoechea: The house furthest down (Basque).
    21. Berenguer: Bear spear (Catalan).
    22. Bolívar: Mill meadow (Basque).
    23. Bosch: Forest (Catalan).
    24. Bustamante: Pasture (Basque).
    25. Calvet: Bald (Catalan).
    26. Campillo: Little field.
    27. Canet: Little dog (Catalan).
    28. Cardona: Place name (Catalan).
    29. Carreras: Races/Roads (Catalan).
    30. Casals: Houses (Catalan).
    31. Castells: Castles (Catalan).
    32. Celaya: Meadow (Basque).
    33. Cervera: Place of deer (Catalan).
    34. Cid: Lord (Arabic/Castilian).
    35. Codina: Pebble/Boulder (Catalan).
    36. Colom: Dove (Catalan).
    37. Corominas: Place name (Catalan).
    38. Dalmau: Place name (Catalan).
    39. Duarte: Edward (Portuguese influence).
    40. Echegaray: High house (Basque).
    41. Echevarría: New house (Basque).
    42. Elizalde: By the church (Basque).
    43. Escudero: Squire.
    44. Esparza: Place name (Basque).
    45. Estrada: Road (Galician).
    46. Fabra: Wright/Smith (Catalan).
    47. Fábregas: Forges (Catalan).
    48. Farré: Smith (Catalan).
    49. Font: Fountain (Catalan).
    50. Fraga: Rough ground (Galician).
    51. Gabarro: Place name (Catalan).
    52. Garmendia: Mountain of wheat (Basque).
    53. Garzón: Boy/Lad.
    54. Goicoechea: The upper house (Basque).
    55. Gorospe: Under the holly (Basque).
    56. Goya: Place name (Basque).
    57. Guardia: Guard (Catalan).
    58. Guerra: War.
    59. Ibañez: Son of John.
    60. Ibarra: The valley (Basque).
    61. Igartua: Withered place (Basque).
    62. Iturbide: Fountain way (Basque).
    63. Iturralde: By the fountain (Basque).
    64. Iturriaga: Place of fountains (Basque).
    65. Jauregui: Palace (Basque).
    66. Jordá: Jordan (Catalan).
    67. Larrañaga: Threshing floor (Basque).
    68. Larrea: Pasture (Basque).
    69. Lasa: Stream (Basque).
    70. Legazpi: Place of gravel (Basque).
    71. Lleida: From Lleida (Catalan).
    72. Llopis: Wolf (Catalan).
    73. Llorente: Laurentius.
    74. Lozano: Lush.
    75. Martorell: Place of martens (Catalan).
    76. Mas: Farmhouse (Catalan).
    77. Mascaró: Mask (Catalan).
    78. Mendizábal: Broad mountain (Basque).
    79. Mercader: Merchant (Catalan).
    80. Mir: Famous/Peace (Catalan).
    81. Mola: Millstone (Catalan).
    82. Montagut: Sharp mountain (Catalan).
    83. Montoya: Pasture of rushes (Basque).
    84. Mugica: Peach tree (Basque).
    85. Muria: Wall (Basque).
    86. Murillo: Wall.
    87. Obregón: Worker.
    88. Ochoa: Wolf (Basque).
    89. Olaizola: The cabin (Basque).
    90. Ooria: Yellow (Basque).
    91. Orbea: Solar (Basque).
    92. Pagán: Pagan.
    93. Pau: Peace (Catalan).
    94. Pons: Bridge (Catalan).
    95. Prats: Meadows (Catalan).
    96. Puig: Hill/Peak (Catalan).
    97. Pujol: Small hill (Catalan).
    98. Reig: King (Catalan).
    99. Ribera: Shore (Catalan).
    100. Roca: Rock (Catalan).
    101. Roig: Red (Catalan).
    102. Romeu: Pilgrim (Catalan).
    103. Ros: Blond (Catalan).
    104. Rovira: Oak grove (Catalan).
    105. Sabater: Shoemaker (Catalan).
    106. Sala: Hall (Catalan).
    107. Salvat: Saved (Catalan).
    108. Sans: Saint (Catalan).
    109. Sastre: Tailor (Catalan).
    110. Segura: Safe (Catalan).
    111. Serra: Saw/Mountain (Catalan).
    112. Soler: Ground/Floor (Catalan).
    113. Soriano: From Soria.
    114. Torrero: Lighthouse keeper.
    115. Urquijo: Birch tree (Basque).
    116. Urrutia: Distant (Basque).
    117. Valles: Valleys (Catalan).
    118. Valls: Valleys (Catalan).
    119. Vidal: Life (Catalan).
    120. Vila: Town (Catalan).
    121. Vilar: Hamlet (Catalan).
    122. Vives: Living (Catalan).
    123. Ximénez: Son of Ximeno (Old Spanish/Basque).
    124. Ygoa: Place name.
    125. Zabala: The broad one (Basque).
    126. Zabaleta: The small broad place (Basque).
    127. Zubizarreta: Old bridge (Basque).
    128. Zuloaga: Cave (Basque).
    129. Zuri: White (Basque).

    Why do Spanish speakers use two last names?

    This is the question that trips up almost everyone outside the culture. I used to get confused by it too. If you look at a birth certificate, you might see Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Is his last name Marquez? No. It’s Garcia.

    The Spanish naming custom is beautiful in its logic. You receive your first surname from your father and your second from your mother. It preserves the lineage of both sides.

    I remember explaining this to a colleague. He asked, “So the mother’s name just disappears after one generation?” In a way, yes, it drops off the legal name for the grandchildren, but for that one lifetime, both parents are equally represented. It acknowledges that you are a product of two families, not just one. It’s egalitarian in a way that many other European systems just aren’t.

    How can you start digging into your own history?

    Genealogy is a marathon, not a sprint. I started with a shoebox of photos and a lot of questions.

    Start with what you know. Talk to your oldest relatives. Ask them for the maiden names of their mothers. Look for documents—baptismal records are gold mines in Hispanic genealogy because the Catholic Church kept meticulous records for centuries, often recording details that civil authorities missed.

    Don’t ignore the variations. Chavez might have been Chaves three generations ago. Ybarra might be written as Ibarra. Spelling wasn’t standardized until relatively recently.

    If you are serious about tracing your lineage, resources like FamilySearch offer incredible access to international records, including massive collections from Spain and Latin America.

    Understanding these names gives you a roadmap. Whether you are a Guerrero fighting your own battles, a Serrano climbing your own mountains, or a Reyes building your own kingdom, your name is the first chapter of your story. Wear it with pride.

    FAQs

    What are the origins of Spanish surnames and how did the naming system develop?

    Spanish surnames originated organically in the Middle Ages as populations grew and people needed a way to distinguish themselves, leading to the development of the surname system based on patronymic, geographic, occupational, and landmark-based names.

    What does the suffix ‘-ez’ in Spanish surnames mean and how is it used?

    The suffix ‘-ez’ in Spanish surnames is patronymic, meaning ‘son of,’ similar to ‘-son’ in English or ‘O” in Irish names, indicating descent from a particular ancestor.

    Can you explain what patronymic surnames are and provide examples?

    Patronymic surnames are derived from the father’s name, indicating ‘son of.’ Examples include Martinez (son of Martin), Hernandez (son of Hernando), and Perez (son of Pedro).

    How did geographic features influence Spanish surnames through toponymic and geographic names?

    Geography influenced Spanish surnames by naming families after landmarks or places where they lived, such as Castillo (castle), Peñá (rock), or Montoya (pasture of rushes), painting a picture of the countryside or specific locations.

    What are some common occupational surnames in Spain and what do they signify?

    Common occupational surnames include Herrera (smith), Guerrero (warrior), and Ferrer (forger), which reveal the trades or professions of ancestors, serving as identifiers based on occupation.

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