300 Best Mexican Surnames Starting with S: Top Meanings

Have you ever lost an entire afternoon digging through old census records, just looking for one specific name? I have. I remember sitting in a municipal archive in Jalisco, the smell of decaying paper filling the room, scanning row after row of handwriting that looked more like chicken scratch than Spanish. I was hunting for a “Soto.”

It should have been easy. “S” is a heavy hitter in the Mexican phonebook. It’s a letter that carries the weight of history, from the knights of medieval Spain to the rancheros of the northern deserts. But as I traced my finger down those ledgers, I realized something: these aren’t just labels. Every Sánchez, Salazar, and Sandoval is a capsule of identity.

If you are looking into your own roots, or you just want to understand the sheer variety of Mexican culture, you have come to the right place. We aren’t just going to list names; we are going to unpack the stories, the geography, and the grit behind the Best Mexican Surnames Starting with S.

Also Read: Beautiful Flower Names and Best Girl Names Starting with E

Key Takeaways

• The “Son of” Tradition: You will see a lot of names ending in “ez”—like Sánchez—which is a direct link to a father’s first name from centuries ago.
• Land and Earth: A huge chunk of “S” names, like Soto and Sierra, describe the physical landscape your ancestors survived on.
• The Basque Connection: If your name is Salazar or Zavala (often spelled Savala), your bloodline likely traces back to the mysterious Basque country.
• Faith on Display: Names like Santos and Sagrero show just how deeply religion permeated daily life in colonial Mexico.
• Regional Flavors: A Serrano from the mountains of Puebla lived a very different life than a Simental from the cattle ranches of Chihuahua.

Why Does It Feel Like Half of Mexico Starts with S?

Serious question: have you ever tried to organize a file cabinet of Mexican employees? The “S” section is always bursting at the seams. Why is that?

It boils down to the mechanics of the Spanish language and the sheer dominance of a few specific naming customs. When the Spanish Crown started mandating surnames, they didn’t get too creative. They used what was available: the father’s name, the town they lived in, or the job they did.

The letter “S” is a magnet for these. You have the patronymics (names coming from the father) like Sánchez. You have the religious names starting with San or Santo. And you have descriptions of the land (Sierra, Selva, Soto). When you mix these European traditions with the indigenous populations who were forced to adopt Spanish names for baptism, you get a massive concentration of “S” surnames that survive to this day.

Who Are the Heavy Hitters? (The Top 10)

Let’s start with the titans. These are the names you hear in every plaza, every market, and every soccer match in Mexico.

1. Sánchez

Meaning: Son of Sancho The Story: You can’t talk about Mexican genealogy without bowing to the king. Sánchez is everywhere. It literally translates to “Son of Sancho.” But dig a little deeper. “Sancho” comes from the Latin Sanctus, meaning holy. So, way back in the lineage, there was a guy named Sancho who was considered “sanctified.” It’s a patronymic giant that connects millions of people.

2. Salazar

Meaning: Old Hall The Story: This one has a bit of swagger to it, doesn’t it? Salazar is a classic Basque name (we’ll talk more about them later). It comes from Sala (hall) and Zahar (old). It originally referred to a noble family living in an ancient manor house. In Mexico, especially in the north, this name carries a lot of prestige.

3. Soto

Meaning: The Grove The Story: I love this name for its simplicity. A Soto is a thicket, a grove, or a small patch of forest near a river. If your last name is Soto, your ancestors were likely the people living right on the edge of the wild, perhaps tending to the trees or living in a clearing. It’s an earthy, grounded name.

4. Silva

Meaning: Of the Woods The Story: Similar to Soto but with a Latin twist. Silva just means “forest.” It’s incredibly common in both Portugal and Spain. It paints a picture of ancestors who lived in the deep timber, perhaps woodcutters or charcoal burners.

5. Serrano

Meaning: Highlander The Story: This describes a rugged type of person. Serrano comes from Sierra (mountain range). It literally means “mountaineer” or “highlander.” These were the people living up in the peaks, toughened by the altitude and the cold. In Mexico, where mountains cover half the country, this name found a perfect home.

6. Sandoval

Meaning: Newly Cleared Land The Story: This is a place-name, likely from Burgos, Spain. It refers to a Saltus Novalis—a forest that has been freshly cleared for farming. It suggests an ancestor who was a pioneer, someone doing the hard work of breaking new ground to feed their family.

7. Salinas

Meaning: The Salt Mines The Story: Before we had refrigerators, salt was the most valuable thing in the kitchen. It preserved life. The Salinas family likely lived near a salt pan or worked in the salt trade. It’s an occupational name that hints at commerce and essential survival.

8. Santana

Meaning: Saint Anne The Story: This is a contraction of Santa Ana. Saint Anne was the mother of the Virgin Mary, making her a “grandmother” figure in the church. Families devoted to her protection would take this name. It’s distinct from Santa Anna (the general/president), but shares the root.

9. Santiago

Meaning: Saint James The Story: This is a warrior’s name. Saint James was the patron saint of the Spanish armies. “Santiago” was the battle cry during the Reconquista of Spain. In Mexico, it became both a first name and a surname, symbolizing defense, zeal, and protection.

10. Santos

Meaning: All Saints The Story: If a child was born on November 1st (All Saints’ Day), parents would often bestow the name Santos. It was a way to wrap the kid in the protection of every saint in heaven. As a surname, it implies a family of deep, perhaps hopeful, piety.

Does Your Name Mean “Son of Someone”?

I mentioned patronymics earlier. In the Spanish-speaking world, this is the most common way surnames were formed. You took your father’s name, added an suffix (usually -ez, -iz, or -oz), and boom—you had a last name. It’s a direct link to a male ancestor from the Middle Ages.

11. Suárez

Meaning: Son of Suero The Vibe: Suero is a first name you almost never hear anymore. It might relate to a profession (like a swineherd) or a Latin term, but as Suárez, it became a powerhouse surname. It feels distinguished and solid.

12. Sáenz

Meaning: Son of Sancho (The Northern Cousin) The Vibe: You see Sánchez everywhere, but Sáenz (and its variant Sáinz) is particularly common in Northern Mexico. It’s the same root, just a different regional dialect’s evolution.

13. Solís

Meaning: Son of the Sun (Maybe) The Vibe: People love to say this means “Lineage of the Sun,” which sounds epic. It might also come from a town named Solís. Either way, it’s a bright, radiant name that stands out on a page.

14. Sepúlveda

Meaning: The Buried/Defended Place The Vibe: This is a heavy name. It comes from the town of Sepúlveda in Segovia. The town was a fortress, a defensive line. The name carries that weight—it feels like stone and shield.

15. Soria

Meaning: From Soria The Vibe: Another strict geographic name. Soria is a city in north-central Spain. If you have this name, your people were likely urban dwellers or from the distinct, cold plateau of that region before crossing the Atlantic.

The Basque Influence: The Secret “S” History

Here is something a lot of people miss. Mexico has a massive amount of Basque DNA, especially in the mining towns of Zacatecas and the ranching lands of Durango and Chihuahua. The Basques were master sailors, ironworkers, and merchants. Their language is ancient and totally unrelated to Spanish, which gives their names a unique sound—often using ‘Z’ and ‘S’ interchangeably.

16. Segura

Meaning: Safe or Secure The Details: While it exists in Spanish meaning “safe,” in a Basque context (Segura in Guipúzcoa), it refers to a specific town. It implies a place of safety or a fortress.

17. Salgado

Meaning: Salted/Witty The Details: This is more Galician/Portuguese but very common in Mexico. It can literally mean food that has been salted, or metaphorically, a person who is “salty” or sharp-witted.

18. Sarmiento

Meaning: The Vine Shoot The Details: Do you like wine? This occupational name refers to the person who trimmed the vines (sarmientos). It connects your lineage to the ancient vineyards of the old world.

19. Solano

Meaning: The East Wind The Details: This name makes me think of the weather. A solano is a place exposed to the sun, or a hot wind that blows from the east. It’s an atmospheric name.

20. Sotomayor

Meaning: The Main Grove The Details: If Soto is a grove, Sotomayor is the “Big Grove” or the “Main Forest.” It was often a title of nobility. It sounds regal because, historically, it often was.

50 Regional and Unique Surnames You Should Know

Okay, we’ve done the top 20. But the real flavor of Mexico lies in the names that aren’t on every billboard. These are names I’ve found in specific church registries or heard in small pueblos.

21. Saavedra: An ancient name meaning “Hall of the old one.”
22. Sabanero: A cowboy of the savannas or plains.
23. Sabino: Refers to the cypress/juniper tree; implies toughness.
24. Saborio: “Tasty” or flavorful.
25. Saca: A rare occupational name for a sack maker.
26. Sacramento: A religious name honoring the Holy Sacrament.
27. Sáenz de Viteri: A compound noble name (very rare now).
28. Sagrero: The keeper of the sacred vessels in the church.
29. Sahagún: From the town of Sahagún; famous because of the friar who chronicled Aztec life.
30. Sainz: A variation of Sáenz.
31. Sala: Simple: “Hall” or “Living Room.”
32. Salamanca: From the university city; implies learning.
33. Salas: Plural of Sala; very common.
34. Salaz: A short, punchy variant of Salas.
35. Salcedo: A place full of willow trees.
36. Salcido: A variation often found in Sinaloa/Sonora.
37. Saldaña: From a town in Palencia, Spain.
38. Saldívar: Basque (Zaldibar), meaning “Valley of Horses.”
39. Sales: Could be religious (St. Francis de Sales).
40. Salguedo: Variant of Salgado.
41. Salmerón: One who recites psalms.
42. Salmón: Yes, like the fish, or Solomon.
43. Salomón: The wise King Solomon.
44. Salvador: Meaning “Savior” (Jesus).
45. Salvatierra: “Save the land”—sounds like a hero’s name.
46. Samano: Common in central Mexico.
47. Samaniego: Basque for “place of pastures.”
48. Samperio: Derived from San Pedro (Saint Peter).
49. San Miguel: Toponymic from a town named after St. Michael.
50. San Román: From Saint Romanus.
51. Sanabria: From the Sanabria region.
52. Sancha: Matrilineal form of Sancho.
53. Sancho: The root name itself.
54. Sandoval: (We covered this—New Forest).
55. Sanjenís: Saint Genesius.
56. Sanjuan: Saint John.
57. Sanmartín: Saint Martin.
58. Sanpedro: Saint Peter.
59. Sans: Catalan variant of Sancho.
60. Santa Cruz: Holy Cross—very prestigious.
61. Santa María: Holy Mary.
62. Santana: (We covered this).
63. Santander: A port city in Spain.
64. Santiago: (The warrior saint).
65. Santibáñez: “Saint John” (Ivan).
66. Santillán: From Santillana del Mar.
67. Santín: Little Saint.
68. Santisteban: Saint Stephen.
69. Santo: Saint.
70. Santonja: Saint Anthony.

Where Are the Indigenous Names?

I get asked this a lot. “My family has lived in Oaxaca for 500 years, why is my last name Sánchez?”

It’s a brutal part of history. When the Spanish evangelized the indigenous populations, they baptized them with Spanish names. The original Nahuatl, Maya, or Zapotec names were often erased from the official record. However, some survived, or Spanish names were adopted that have strong indigenous associations in specific areas.

Rare Gems and Survivors

In the Yucatán, the Maya influence is stronger. In central Mexico, some Nahuatl sounds persisted.

71. Sool: (Mayan) A surname found in the Yucatán peninsula.
72. Sima: (Mayan) Often implies a connection to nature or corn.
73. Sulub: (Mayan) A known lineage in the Mexican southeast.
74. Sixtos: Latin in origin, but heavily adopted by indigenous communities in central Mexico.
75. Salazar: (Nahuatl Context) Interestingly, many Tlaxcalan nobles (who allied with Cortés) adopted this name to show status.
76. Suchil: This is a beautiful one. It comes from the Nahuatl Xochitl, meaning “Flower.” It was hispanicized to Suchil.
77. Sarabia: While Spanish in origin, it is extremely common in indigenous regions of Oaxaca.

The Big List: 78-200 (The Deep Cuts)

Now we are getting into the weeds. These are the names you might find on a faded birth certificate from 1920. Some are variations of spelling—remember, in the 1800s, literacy wasn’t high. A priest might spell Zavala as Savala just because that’s how he heard it.

78. Santos: (All Saints).
79. Santoyo: From a specific town in Palencia.
80. Sanz: The Aragonese version of Sánchez.
81. Sarabia: “Cold Stream.”
82. Saracho: Basque; “farmhouse near apple trees.”
83. Saravia: Just a spelling flip of Sarabia.
84. Sardiña: Italian influence, meaning from Sardinia.
85. Sarmiento: (Vine shooter).
86. Sarracino: Means “Saracen” (referring to Moors/Arabs).
87. Sastre: The Tailor.
88. Sauceda: A place full of willows.
89. Saucedo: Masculine form of Sauceda.
90. Saul: Biblical name.
91. Sauri: Catalan, found in the Caribbean coast.
92. Savala: The “S” spelling of Zavala.
93. Savalza: Basque variant.
94. Sayago: From the region of Sayago.
95. Sayo: Maker of coats.
96. Schiaffino: Italian immigrants who integrated into Mexico.
97. Schultz: German influence in Northern Mexico/Texas.
98. Sebastián: The Venerable one.
99. Seco: “Dry”—likely a nickname for a skinny person.
100. Sedano: From Sedano, Burgos.
101. Sedillo: Little seat/place.
102. Segovia: The city.
103. Segoviano: The guy from the city.
104. Segura: (Safe).
105. Seijas: Galician for “six” or pebbles.
106. Sein: Basque for swamp.
107. Selva: Forest.
108. Seminario: Religious seminary.
109. Sen: Elder.
110. Sena: From Sena, Huesca.
111. Sendra: “Defender of men.”
112. Senra: A sown field.
113. Sepúlveda: (The fortress town).
114. Serna: A field for sowing.
115. Serra: Catalan/Portuguese for Mountain.
116. Serrano: (Highlander).
117. Serrato: “Sawed” or jagged mountain.
118. Serratos: Plural of Serrato.
119. Servín: From Servando (to serve).
120. Sesma: Basque origin.
121. Sevilla: The city of Seville.
122. Sevillano: Someone from Seville.
123. Sicilia: From Sicily.
124. Sierra: (Mountain range).
125. Sigala: French/Italian origin settled in Mexico.
126. Sigüenza: A famous town in Guadalajara, Spain.
127. Siles: From Siles, Jaén.
128. Silíceo: Stony or flinty.
129. Silva: (Woods).
130. Silveira: Forest (Galician).
131. Silvera: Variant.
132. Silvestre: Wild/Rural.
133. Simón: Biblical.
134. Simental: German origin (Simmenthal valley), huge in Chihuahua.
135. Sinencio: Uncommon.
136. Siqueiros: Famous painter name! Means “drying place.”
137. Sira: Rare.
138. Siurana: Catalan place name.
139. Siva: Variant.
140. Soberanes: “Sovereign.”
141. Soberanis: Variant.
142. Soberón: “Proud.”
143. Sobrado: Upper floor/granary.
144. Sobrevilla: “Above the town.”
145. Sola: Alone.
146. Solana: Sunny spot.
147. Solano: (East wind).
148. Solares: Ancestral manors.
149. Soldevilla: Plot of the town.
150. Soler: Floor/Ground.
151. Soles: Suns.
152. Solís: (Sun lineage).
153. Soliz: Spelling variant.
154. Solorio: Basque derivative.
155. Solórzano: Basque “Place of the estate.”
156. Soltero: Bachelor.
157. Somellera: Wine steward.
158. Somohano: “Below the beech tree.”
159. Somoza: “Under the mountain.”
160. Sordo: Deaf (Nickname turned surname).
161. Soria: (The city).
162. Soriano: From Soria.
163. Sosa: Seaweed/Soda ash.
164. Sotelo: Little Grove.
165. Sotero: Savior.
166. Soto: (The Grove).
167. Sotomayor: (The Big Grove).
168. Sotres: From Asturias.
169. Sousa: Portuguese spelling of Sosa.
170. Souto: Galician spelling.
171. Sovero: Occupational.
172. Spínola: Italian noble family.
173. Suárez: (Son of Suero).
174. Subía: Basque “The Bridge.”
175. Sucre: Sugar.
176. Sueiro: Variant.
177. Suero: The root name.
178. Sumano: Rare, possibly indigenous mix.
179. Sura: Calf of the leg.
180. Surita: Little dove (Zanz).
181. Susano: Lily.
182. Sustaita: Basque.
183. Susto: “Fright” (Likely a nickname).
184. Sutil: Subtle.
185. Suaste: Mestizo origin.
186. Suastegui: Basque (Zuaztegi).
187. Sarabia: (Listed again for impact).
188. Serna: (Listed again).
189. Simental: (Listed again).
190. Sotomayor: (Nobility).
191. Solares: (Listed again).
192. Salido: “Exited” or projecting land.
193. Sal: Salt.
194. Sabah: Arabic influence.
195. Sade: Rare.
196. Saavedra: (Listed again).
197. Sabat: Sabbath.
198. Sacristán: The Sexton.
199. Saez: Variant.
200. Sáinz: Variant.

Geography is Destiny: Where is Your Family From?

One thing I’ve learned is that a Soto from Chihuahua is different from a Soto from Michoacán.

In Northern Mexico (The Ranchero Belt), you find a heavy concentration of Basque names (Zavala, Saldívar, Urbina, Ibarra). Why? Because the Basques were miners and soldiers who moved north to colonize the silver frontiers.

In Central Mexico, you see the classic Castilian and religious names (Sánchez, Santana, Serrano). This was the heart of the colonial administration.

In Southern Mexico, names are often adapted by indigenous communities. You’ll find biblical names like Santos are incredibly popular in indigenous towns because they were “neutral” Christian names given during mass baptisms.

The Final Stretch: 201-300

We are rounding out the list. These include variations, compound names, and names that came later with Lebanese or European immigrants.

201. Sabalza
202. Sabana
203. Sabido
204. Sabin
205. Saborido
206. Saborit
207. Sabori
208. Sacal
209. Sacriste
210. Sadoc
211. Saeb
212. Saiz
213. Salaices
214. Salaita
215. Salanca
216. Salandia
217. Salasar
218. Salaverria
219. Salayandia
220. Salbador
221. Salces
222. Salcido
223. Saldierna
224. Saldubehere (A very distinct Basque-French name)
225. Saleh (Lebanese-Mexican influence)
226. Salems
227. Sales
228. Salfranc
229. Salguero
230. Salice
231. Salidez
232. Salido
233. Salignac
234. Salina
235. Salis
236. Sallard
237. Salmeron
238. Salmones
239. Salomon
240. Saltijeral
241. Saltillo (City name used as surname)
242. Salto
243. Salvador
244. Salvat
245. Salvia
246. Sam
247. Samaguey
248. Saman
249. Samar
250. Samayoa (Heavy Guatemalan influence in Chiapas)
251. Samberino
252. Sambada
253. Sambrano (Z spelling is more common)
254. Samitiz
255. Samoa
256. Samora (Z spelling is more common)
257. Samorano
258. Samos
259. Samper
260. Samudio
261. Samuel
262. San
263. San German
264. San Jose
265. San Martin
266. San Miguel
267. San Pablo
268. San Pedro
269. San Vicente
270. Sanabia
271. Sancha
272. Sanche
273. Sanciprian
274. Sandate
275. Sande
276. Sandel
277. Sandia
278. Sandino
279. Sando
280. Sandria
281. Sanesteban
282. Sangines
283. Sangrador
284. Sangre (Very rare)
285. Sanguino
286. Sanjurjo
287. Sanoja
288. Sanroman
289. Sansores
290. Santa
291. Santaclara
292. Santacruz
293. Santalucia
294. Santamarina
295. Santarosa
296. Santellano
297. Santero
298. Santes
299. Santi
300. Santin

So, What Now?

You’ve got the list. You’ve got the meanings. But a name on a screen is just a start. The real magic happens when you connect that name to a place.

My advice? Talk to your oldest living relative. Don’t ask them “What does our name mean?” Ask them “What town did your grandfather talk about?” “Did they own land or work in the mines?” That context changes everything. A Salazar who owned a hacienda has a different story than a Salazar who worked the copper mines.

If you want to dig deeper, I can’t recommend the Hispanic Family History Resources at FamilySearch enough. It’s a goldmine.

Genealogy is a puzzle that never really ends. But hopefully, this list gives you a few more pieces to play with. Good luck with the hunt.

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