Look to the diverse wildlife of the country when choosing a last name for your child.
Mexico has the highest population of Spanish speakers. Because of this, many common last names in Mexico come from Spain or have Spanish origins.
Mexicans receive two last names: one from their father and one from their mother. This tradition guarantees that there are last names passed down for at least two generations. Additionally, parents can decide whether to use the father’s or mother’s last name for their child.
This article provides a compilation of popular Mexican surnames, including their definitions and histories.
Popular Mexican Surnames or Last Names With Meanings
- Aguilar
This Mexican surname was originally discovered in Castile, a significant Christian kingdom in medieval Spain. It pertains to someone who resided in a place known as Aguilar. The name is derived from the Latin term ‘Aquilare’ which translates to ‘eagles’ nest.’
- Aguirre
This Mexican surname refers to various locations that have open fields or meadows. The lat name comes from the Basque word ‘Ager’ which means ‘prominent’ or ‘exposed place.’
- Arellano
This last name refers to a specific person or family with the surname Arellano. Arellano is a location in the Navarre region of Spain. The surname is derived from the Latin name ‘Aurelianus’ which means ‘farm or the estate of Aurelius.’
- Ayala
The Mexican surname Ayala/Aiara comes from the town of Ayala/Aiara in Basque country, Spain. It means ‘hillside’ or ‘slope’ and ‘pasture’ in the Basque language.
- Bernal
The Spanish version of the name ‘Baruch’ is used to mean ‘blessed’ in Hebrew.
- Barrera
The Spanish surname for ‘barrier’ is ‘barrera’. It is used to describe a family that resided near a gate, fence, or any kind of barrier.
- Becerra
This spanish surname comes from the Spanish name for ‘young cow.’
- Beltran
The Mexican surname comes from a Germanic personal name made up of two Old Germanic words – ‘berht’ which means ‘bright’ and ‘hrabn’ which means ‘raven.’
- Bravo
The Mexican surname ‘Bravo’ comes from Spanish and Portuguese and means ‘rough, wild, and courageous.’
- Cano
This Mexican last name comes from a nickname given to someone with hair that turned white early. The surname originates from the Latin word ‘cano’ which means ‘white or gray-haired.’
- Cardenas
This Mexican last name is the plural form for females of the Spanish term ‘Cardeno’ which translates to ‘purplish-blue.’ It is a toponymic surname as it is also the name of a village located in the region of La Rioja in Spain.
- Castaneda
This Mexican surname is based on the name of various places in Spain. It comes from the Spanish word for chestnut, ‘castana.’
- Castellanos
This Mexican surname refers to a place occupied or established by people from Castile. The name comes from the Latin word ‘castellum’ which means ‘castle.’
- Castro
In Spanish the surname is derived from the Latin word ‘castrum’, which also means ‘castle’.
- Carrillo
It is the Spanish surname for ‘cheek.’ This last name was probably given to someone as a nickname because they were bold or had some unique feature of their cheek.
- Cervantes
This Mexican surname comes from a place called Cervantes in Spain and is often used to describe someone from that area. It probably comes from the Latin word ‘serviens’, which means ‘to serve’, or it could refer to being a servant.
- Cisneros
This Mexican last name comes from a place in Palencia, Spain called Cisneros. The surname is based on the Spanish word for ‘swan.’
- Contreras
It pertains to the family who resided in the Conteraras region within the Burgos province of Spain. The name of the area comes from the Late Latin term ‘contraria,’ which means ‘surrounding region.’
- Cortes
The Mexican surname ‘cortes’ in Spanish means showing manners, politeness, and kindness. This last name probably originated as a way to describe someone who was known for their polite and civil behavior.
- Caves
This Mexican surname is used for someone who used to live near or in a cave. It can also indicate someone from places named Cuevas in Malaga and Burgos provinces of Spain.
- De Leon
Someone from the city of Leon in Spain is called a Leonese. The name ‘Leon’ means ‘Lion’ in Spanish.
- Dominguez
The Mexican surname means ‘son of Domingo’, which is the Spanish version of the name ‘Dominic’. ‘Dominic’ comes from the Late Latin name ‘Dominicus’, which means ‘of the Lord’.
- Enriquez
Enrique is the Spanish name of Henry, which originates from the Germanic name Heimirich. This name is a combination of ‘Heim,’ meaning ‘home,’ and ‘ric,’ meaning ‘power’ or ‘ruler.’
- Espinoza
The surname ‘Espinosa’ is a variation that originates from the Spanish word ‘Espinoso’, which translates to ‘thorny’.
- Figueroa
This Mexican surname originates from various places in the Galicia region of Spain. The name comes from the Portuguese word ‘figueira’ or the Spanish word ‘higuera,’ which both refer to a ‘fig tree.’
- Franco
In Spanish, the surname Franco means ‘frank’ or ‘free’. The last name Franco is also linked to the Franks, an ancient Germanic tribe.
- Gallardo
The Spanish name ‘gallant’ or ‘dashing’ comes from a Germanic personal name that combines ‘gail’ meaning ‘joyous’ or ‘cheerful’ and ‘hard’ meaning ‘strong’ or ‘brave.’
- Gallego
The surname is Spanish for ‘Galician,’ referring to a person from the Galicia region of Spain. Therefore, it is a surname based on a specific place name.
- Garza
The surname means ‘heron’ in Spanish and it may have originally been used as a nickname for someone who has long legs.
- Guerrero
In Spanish this surname means ‘warrior’. It was probably first used by a family of soldiers.
- Guzman
The surname Guzman comes from a village in Spain called Guzman in the Burgos province.
- Hernandez
The surname ‘Hernandez’ means the son of Hernando. The name ‘Hernando’ is a Spanish version of Ferdinand, which has its roots in Old German. Ferdinand is made up of the Old Germanic words ‘fardi’ which means journey and ‘nand’ which means daring or brave.
- Herrera
The surname Herrera comes from the Spanish word for ‘blacksmith’ or someone who works with iron. It can also be linked to places named Herrera in Seville and Badajoz provinces of Spain.
- Ibarra
The surname Ibarra is a name given to people from a town in the Basque country in Spain. The word ‘Ibarra’ means ‘meadow’ or ‘valley’ in Basque.
- Jimenez
This surname means ‘son of Jimeno.’ The name ‘Jimeno’ comes from ‘Simon,’ which probably originates from the Basque term ‘seme’ referring to ‘son.’
- Lara
The surname Lara de los Infantes is used to refer to someone from a specific place in Spain called Lara de los Infantes in Burgos province.
- Leon
It is a surname that comes from the city of Leon in Spain. The name means ‘lion’ in Spanish.’
- Lopez
This surname means ‘son of Lope.’ Lope is derived from the Latin word ‘Lupus’ which means ‘wolf.’
- Lozano
The Spanish surname means lavish, abundant, or rich. It originally may have been used as a term of endearment for someone stylish or lively.
- Lugo
The surname refers to someone from the city of Lugo in Spain’s Galicia province.
- Luna
The surname Luna comes from various places in Spain named Luna. The name Luna originates from the Latin word ‘luna,’ which means ‘moon.’
- Macias
This surname is based on the Hebrew name ‘Mattityahu,’ which means ‘gift of god.’
- Maldonado
This surname comes from the Spanish term ‘mal donado,’ which translates to ‘ill-favored’ and originated as a nickname. The last name could also refer to someone from different places with the same name in Spain.
- Marin
This surname comes from the Latin name ‘Marinus’, which means ‘of the sea’. The name might have been given to someone who worked as a sailor or a mariner.
- Marquez
It means ‘son of Marcos.’ The name Marcos comes from the Latin name Marcus, which is associated with the God of Mars.’
- Mata
This surname in Spanish means ‘bushes’ or ‘shrubs.’ It probably originated as a name for someone who lived close to bushes or shrubs.
- Medina
This surname is based on a location in Spain and Saudi Arabia.
- Mendez
This surname means ‘son of Menendo.’ The name ‘Menendo’ is derived from the ancient Visigothic name ‘Hermenegildo,’ which originally meant ‘complete sacrifice’ in Old German.
- Miranda
The surname Miranda comes from Latin and means ‘lovely,’ ‘wondrous,’ or ‘admirable.’ It is also used to refer to several locations called Miranda in Spain and Portugal.
- Molina
In Spanish, the surname ‘Molino’ means a mill. The last name could come from someone who worked in a mill. It could also refer to someone from a place called Molino in Spain.
- Montiel
The origin of the surname is from the Spanish name ‘monte,’ which translates to ‘hill’ or ‘mountain.’ It is a last name that indicates someone is from multiple locations with this name in Spain.
- Montoya
This surname probably comes from the word ‘monte’ which means ‘mountain’ in Spanish. This last name was the name of some small Spanish towns and villages in the past.
- Mora
This surname comes from the Spanish word ‘mora’ which means both ‘blackberry’ and ‘mulberry.’ The name might have originally been given to someone who grew these fruits.
- Moreno
This surname in Spanish means ‘brown’ or dark in color. It might have been used as a nickname for someone with dark features like hair or skin. This nickname was possibly used by the Moors who invaded Spain.
- Munoz
This surname means ‘son of Muno.’ The last name ‘Muno’ may be connected to the Spanish word ‘monte,’ which refers to a ‘hill’ or a ‘mountain.’
- Murillo
This surname comes from the Spanish word ‘muro’ which means ‘wall.’ The last name is based on a place in Spain called Muro.
- Navarro
This last name indicates that the person is from Navarre, Spain. The surname ‘Navarre’ comes from Basque and probably means ‘a valley or plain where people live.’
- Ochoa
It is a Spanish version of the Basque name ‘Otxoa’ which comes from the Basque word ‘otso’ that means ‘wolf.’
- Olivares
It is a surname that comes from different places in Spain called Olivares. The name Olivares comes from the Spanish word ‘olivar,’ which refers to a place where olive trees are grown.
- Orozco
Orozco is a place in the Basque region of Spain. People from this area adopted the name Orozco.
- Osorio
The surname ‘Osorio’ likely comes from the Basque word ‘Otso,’ which means ‘wolf.’ This suggests that the surname originally belonged to a person who hunted wolves, making it an occupational surname.
- Pacheco
This last name could have come from the Spanish word ‘pequeño,’ which translates to ‘short,’ ‘small,’ or ‘little.’ Therefore, it could have started as a nickname and evolved into a surname over time.
- Palacios
People who lived near a palace or mansion started using this term.
- Parra
The surname comes from Spanish and refers to a person who resided near vines.
- Peralta
It is a surname that comes from places called Peralta in different provinces of Spain. The name comes from the Latin words ‘petra alta’, which means ‘high rock’.
- Pineda
The last name has been used by people living in different places in Spain called Pineda. The name originally means ‘pine forest’.
- Quintero
It is a version of the surname ‘Quinteiro’ that comes from the Galicia region in Spain. In Galician, ‘Quinteiro’ means a yard or a farm, so it describes someone who resided in or close to one of these locations.
- Ramirez
This surname means ‘son of Ramiro.’ Ramiro is derived from the Old German name ‘Ramirus,’ which combines the Old Germanic words ‘ragin’ for ‘counsel’ and ‘mari’ for ‘fame.’ As a result, it translates to ‘famous counselor’ or ‘famed judge.’
- Ramos
The surname refers to someone who lived in a densely forested area. It comes from the Latin word ‘ramus,’ which means ‘branch.’
- Rangel
This surname is a different version of the name ‘Rengel.’ This name probably comes from the Old Germanic word ‘rang,’ which means ‘curved,’ ‘bent,’ or ‘slender.’ It may have been used as a name for someone who worked with or sold rings, belts, and sashes.
- Resendiz
The surname ‘Resendes’ comes from the Germanic words ‘reths’ which means advice or counsel, and ‘sinths’ which means path or way.
- Rios
Many families living by the river chose this last name. It comes from the Spanish word ‘rio’, which means ‘river’.
- Robles
The surname in Spanish means ‘oak tree.’ It is a name that refers to someone who lived near oak trees.
- Rocha
The surname comes from the Spanish word ‘roca,’ which means ‘rock.’ It refers to a person who resided near a cliff or in one of the many places in Spain with the same name.
- Roman
This surname comes from the Latin word ‘Romanus,’ which means ‘from Rome.’
- Rosales
The surname ‘Rosales’ is the Spanish word for ‘rose bushes.’ It describes a person who resided near rose bushes. This name may have also been used by individuals from areas known as O Rosal and El Rosal in the Galicia region of Spain.
- Rosas
The surname ‘rosas’ is the plural form of ‘rosa,’ which translates to ‘rose’ in Spanish. It is a name that refers to someone from various places in Spain that share the name ‘Rosa.’
- Ruiz
This surname means ‘son of Ruy,’ which is a shortened form of Rodrigo, itself derived from Roderick. Roderick is an Old German name made up of the elements ‘hrod’ meaning ‘renowned’ and ‘ric’ meaning ‘power.’
- Salgado
The Galician name for ‘salty’ is where it all began. This surname probably started as a way to describe someone who was clever or sharp, and later became a family name.
- Salinas
The Spanish surname ‘salinero’ most likely comes from the job of working in a salt mine or selling salt for a living.
- Sandoval
This surname comes from Latin words that mean ‘forest’ and ‘unploughed land.’
- Saucedo
The last name could have come from people who lived near willow trees. It comes from the Latin word ‘salix’ which means ‘willow tree.’
- Segura
The surname in Spanish means ‘safe’ or ‘secured.’ This last name refers to someone from various locations in Spain with this name.
- Silva
The surname ‘silva’ in Spanish means ‘forest’ and ‘selvin’ could be a name for someone who lived near a forest in the past.
- Solis
This surname is used to describe someone from a place in Spain called Solano. The name probably comes from the Spanish word for ‘sun,’ which is ‘sol.’
- Soto
The surname in Spanish means a dense group of shrubs or trees. This name is based on the names of various places in Spain.
- Tellez
This surname means the son of Tello. The name Tello comes from the Latin word ‘tellus’ which means ‘earth’ or ‘land’.
- Torres
It is the plural form of the Spanish surname ‘torre’ which translates to ‘towers.’ People with this surname were probably living near a tower or a fortress.
- Valenzuela
This surname is used to describe various locations called Valenzuela in multiple regions of Spain. This last name translates to ‘Little Valencia.’
- Vasquez
This surname originates from the ancient Spanish name ‘Velasco,’ which translates to ‘crow’ or ‘raven.’
- Velasco
The meaning of the surname comes from the name ‘Belasco’ mixed with Basque elements.
- Velazquez
Velazquez is a famous artist from Spain. This surname translates to ‘son of Velasco,’ with Velasco meaning ‘crow’ or ‘raven’ in the Basque language.
- Vera
It is a surname that comes from people who are from various places in Spain called Vera. The word ‘vera’ means ‘edge’, ‘border’, or ‘shore’ in Spanish.
- Villalobos
A Villalobos is someone who used to live in a town in Spain called Villalobos. This surname comes from the Spanish words ‘villa’ which means ‘town’ and ‘lobo’ which means ‘wolf’.
Villarreal finished the season in 95th place. The surname Villarreal comes from places in Spain. The name Villarreal is made up of the Spanish words for ‘town’ and ‘royal.’
- Villegas
This last name comes from ancestors who took on the name while living in a place called Villegas in the Burgos province of Spain.
- Zamora
The surname was probably chosen by a family who lived there.
- Zarate
Zarate in Spain gets its name from the Basque words ‘zara’ and ‘athe’, meaning ‘forest’ and ‘door’ respectively. This surname may have also been used to describe someone who lived close to a forest entrance.
- Zavala is a term that might not be widely understood.
This surname is a different version of the name ‘Zabala,’ which is a location in Spain. The name of this place originates from the Basque term ‘Zabal’ that signifies ‘wide,’ ‘broad,’ or ‘extensive.’
- Zuniga
This surname comes from a location in the Navarre region of Spain. The name comes from the Basque term ‘estugune’ which refers to a ‘channel’ or ‘strait.’
Frequently Asked Questions
In today’s world, parents are choosing unique names for their children by drawing inspiration from various cultures and traditions. If you are interested in Mexican last names that sound lovely, consider these popular options which have Spanish origins dating back to the Spanish conquest of Mexico. These surnames are now deeply rooted in Mexican culture, showcasing the country’s vibrant history. Feel free to mix and match the surnames from the list to see which ones pair nicely with your baby’s first name.
