Explore the origins and meanings of well-known Spanish last names.
If you have an interest in Spain and its culture, a good place to begin learning more is by exploring Spanish surnames or last names. Surnames or last name can offer insight into a country’s traditions and history.
Spain is famous for its delicious cuisine, lively dances, and stunning beaches. It is incredibly beautiful and a top choice for travelers. Whether you’re considering a trip or simply curious about Spanish culture, here are some famous Spanish surnames or last names to explore.
Famous Spanish Surnames or last Names With Meanings
- Abarca
Abarca is a Spanish surname that comes from a type of leather used to make shoes or sandals. This particular leather was only found on the Balearic Island in Spain. The person who made these shoes was known as an Abarca.
- Abaroa
The Spanish surname Abaroa comes from the Basque language and it means refuge.
- Abascal
Originating from the Basque language, this Spanish surname or last name means ‘street of the priest.’
- Abasolo
This surname comes from the Basque word ‘abas’ which means ‘priest’s meadow.’
- Abel
Abel is a Spanish last name that comes from the Hebrew name ‘Hevel’ which means ‘breath.’
- Abello
The Spanish surname Abello comes from the Latin name ‘Abellio’, who is known as a Pyrenean god.
- Abraham
This surname originated from the Bible and translates to ‘father of many’ in Hebrew.
- Abreu
Abreu is a popular Spanish surname or last name in Spanish, especially among people of Portuguese and Sephardic Jewish background. It comes from the name of a place and is also similar to the Hebrew name Abraham.
- Acosta
This surname comes from the word ‘Costa,’ which means ‘riverbank’ in Portuguese. This surname has Spanish origins with roots in Portugal, Italy, and Catalonia.
- Adriano
This surname comes from the name ‘Hadria’, which was used in Roman times for settlements.
- Agramunt
This Spanish surname is based on the geography of where a person comes from, specifically the town of Agramunt in Spain.
- Agua
Agua is the Spanish surname means ‘water.’ It is used to describe a person who resides or is employed close to a body of water.
- Aguado
This Spanish surname is another version of Agua. It is also used for individuals who reside or have jobs close to bodies of water.
- Aiza
This lastname comes from the Basque term ‘aitz’ which translates to ‘rock’ or ‘stone.’
- Alamilla
Alamilla is a surname derived from the Latin word ‘alma,’ meaning nourishing or kind. This Spanish surname comes from the word ‘alamillo’, which means ‘a type of tree’ called ‘poplar’ or ‘aspen’.
- Alberto
The Spanish surname Alberto comes from the name ‘Albert’ which means ‘noble’ or ‘bright.’
- Aldana
This is a Spanish last name or surname based on the name of a Basque town called ‘Aldats’, which means ‘a slope’.
- Alfaro
The Spanish surname Alfaro can refer to two things – a city in Spain called Alfaro in La Rioja. In Arabic, Alfaro also means a watchtower.
- Alcaraz
Alcaraz is a Spanish surname or last name that comes from a place in Spain. The place got its name from Arabic and means ‘the cherry’.
- Alegria
The Spanish surname Alegria comes from Spanish and Portuguese roots and means ‘joy’ or ‘happiness.’
- Alejo
The Spanish surname Alejo comes from the old Greek name ‘Alexis’ which means someone who assists, defends, or protects.
- Alonso
Alonso is a Spanish variation of the name ‘Alfonso,’ and it signifies ‘noble.’ This surname has been held by numerous rulers who governed territories in Spain and Portugal.
- Allende
In Spanish, the surname ‘Allende’ means ‘on the other side.’ This surname was originally used to describe someone who lived across from a specific landmark.
- Alvarado
This surname comes from a place in Spain. It is also possible that the name comes from the word ‘alba’ which means ‘sunrise’ or ‘white.’
- Alvarez
This Spanish last name indicates that someone is the son of Alvaro. The name Alvaro comes from the word ‘Alpher,’ which means ‘army’ or ‘warrior.’
- Amador
The Spanish surname Amador comes from the Latin word ‘Amator’ which means ‘someone who loves God.’
- Amaya
Amaya is a Spanish last name based on the name of a village in Spain’s Burgos province. It is likely derived from the Basque word ‘Amaia,’ which translates to ‘the end.’
- Amor
The Spanish surname ‘amor’ originates from the Latin language and means ‘love.’ Amor was also the name used for Cupid, who was a Roman deity associated with love and desire.
- Andrada
This Spanish surname comes from the Greek name ‘Andreas,’ and this Spanish last name signifies ‘a man’ or ‘masculine.’
- Andres
The last name ‘Andrada’ is connected to the surname ‘Andres,’ which originates from the Greek term ‘Andreas,’ signifying ‘a man,’ ‘manly,’ or ‘masculine.’
- Andreu
Andreu is the Catalan form of the name ‘Andrew,’ which has its origins in Andreas.
32.Angeles
Angeles is a last name that comes from the title given to the ‘Virgin Mary Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles. This Spanish last name means ‘angels.’
- Anguiano
This Spanish last name is based on a place name and is used for people who were from the town of Anguiano in Spain.
- Antunez
The Spanish surname Antunez means ‘son of Antonio.’ The last name Antonio comes from a famous Roman family name, ‘Antonius.’
- Aquino
This Spanish last name comes from the name of a town in Italy near Rome, which makes it a last name based on a place. The surname ‘Aquino’ comes from the Latin word ‘aqua’, which means ‘water’.
- Araujo
This Spanish last name refers to multiple places with the same name in Portugal.
- Araya
It is a common Spanish last name that indicates someone is from one of the many places called Araya or Araia in Spain.
- Arce
Arce is the surname for a type of tree in Spanish known as a ‘maple tree’.
- Arechavaleta
This is a different version of the surname ‘Aretxabaleta’, which is also the name of a town in Spain. Another interpretation says it means ‘oak trees’ in the Basque language.
- Arenas
The surname comes from the Spanish word ‘arena’ which means ‘sand.’
- Aritza
This Spanish surname comes from the Basque term ‘Aritz’ which means an ‘oak tree.’
- Armando
The surname comes from the German word ‘Herman’ and means ‘army man.’
- Armendarez
The surname ‘Armendariz’ is a variation of a Latin word ‘armentarius’ that means a herdsman.
- Armenta
The surname comes from the Latin term ‘armenta’ which means ‘herd.’
- Arreola
This Spanish surname is a variation of ‘Arriola’ and comes from Basque. It is formed by combining two Basque words, ‘arri’ which means ‘stone’ and ‘ola’ which means ‘house.’
- Arroyo
In Spanish, ‘arroyo’ means a small stream or creek. It is often used as a last name for someone who lives by a stream.
- Asis
In Spanish, ‘Asis’ is the surname for Assisi.
- Asturias
Asturias is a name of a location in Spain that may have originated from the Basque words for ‘rock’ and ‘water’.
- The Atienza
Atienza is a last name that comes from a noble family in Spain, specifically from the Manchego municipality, also known as La Mancha.
- Avalos
The surname comes from a place called ‘Abalos’ in the Soria province of the Basque country.
- Avila
The last name comes from a province in Spain called Avila in the region of Castile and Leon.
- Azarolla
This last name of Spanish origin comes from the Basque term ‘azeri’ which means ‘fox.’
- Badilla
This Spanish surname is a different version of the name Badillo. This last name comes from a place in Spain called Vadillo de la Sierra in Avila or Valillo de la Guarena in Zamora.
- Balcazar
Belshazzar is a Spanish surname that translates to ‘Bel protect the king’ in Hebrew. Bel was the name of a king in the Babylonian Empire.
- Balderas
This Spanish last name comes from the Spanish phrase ‘Valle de eras,’ which means ‘Valley of eras.’ It is also a name related to ‘Valderas’ in the Leon province of Spain.
- Banderas
In Spanish, this surname means a ‘flag’ or ‘banner,’ and is likely a last name for people who used to carry flags for a living.
- Barbero
It is a Spanish last name that originally referred to someone who was a barber.
- Bardales
Bardales is a Spanish surname that comes from a place that is full of thorns.
- Baro
Baro is a surname from Old Germanic that can mean a warrior, man, or servant.
- Barros
The Spanish surname Barros comes from the words for ‘clay’ or ‘mud’ in Spanish and Portuguese. There are two meanings for the name: it could be a last name for those who work with clay or mud, or it could be a surname for those who live close to clay or mud.
- Basurto
The Spanish surname Basurto means ‘middle of the forest’ and is also a last name that comes from a specific place in the Basque country.
- Bautista
The Spanish surname Bautista comes from the name ‘Baptiste,’ which comes from the Greek word ‘Bapto’ meaning ‘to dip.’
- Bello
This Spanish surname means ‘beautiful,’ ‘attractive,’ or ‘lovely.’
- Belmonte
Belmonte is the name of various locations in Italy and Spain. The Spanish surname or last name translates to ‘beautiful mountain.’
- Bengochea
Names like ‘Bengochea’ are part of the cultural tapestry of the Basque region. In the Basque language, the surname ‘Bengoetxea’ means ‘the house furthest down,’ which is what this variation is based on.’
- Benito
The surname ‘Benito’ comes from the Latin word ‘Benedictus’ which means ‘blessed.’
- Benitez
It is connected to the last name ‘Benito.’ The surname ‘Benitez’ means ‘son of Benito.’
- Bermudez
This Spanish surname that comes from the father’s name Bermudo, which originates from the Latinized German word ‘Waramunt’ meaning ‘vigilant’ or ‘protection.’
- Bernat
Bernat is a variation of the surname ‘Bernard,’ which originated from the German word ‘Bern.’ Bern translates to mean ‘strong or brave like a bear.’
- Bernardo
Bernardo and Bernat are related surnames that both mean ‘Bernard.’
- Berra
The Spanish surname Berra comes from the Spanish word ‘Berrar’ which translates to ‘to scream,’ ‘shout,’ or ‘bellow.’
- Borja
This Spanish surname is based on the name of a town in Spain.
- Bosch
The surname comes from the Italian word ‘Bosco,’ which translates to ‘woods’ or ‘forest.’
- Botello
Botello is a Spanish last name that is related to the occupation of making bottles.
- Botero
It is a Spanish surname that is typically associated with someone who worked as a bottler or a boat maker.
- Bover
The surname Bovar came from Italy, moved, and changed over time into a Spanish last name. This last name means ‘bull’ or ‘ox.’
- Cabello
This Spanish last name means ‘hair’ or someone with a ‘significant amount of hair.’
- Cabrera
The surname comes from the Latin word ‘Capraria’ which means a place where goats live.
- Caldera
This Spanish surname translates to ‘basin’ or ‘crater,’ and can also mean a ‘boiler’ or a ‘cauldron.’
- Calderon
The Spanish last name ‘Calderon’ is tied to a profession and probably originally referred to a tinker – someone who makes and fixes metal containers like pots, kettles, pans, and cauldrons.
- Camarillo
The Spanish surname ‘Camarillo’ likely comes from the Spanish word ‘camera,’ which means ‘chamber’ or ‘room.’
- Campana
The Spanish surname ‘Campana’ is used in this occupational surname, which means ‘maker of bells.’
- Campo
It is a different way of spelling ‘Campos’ and it means ‘field’ in Spanish.’
- Candella
This Spanish last name comes from the word ‘Candela’ which means ‘a candle.’
- Cantu
The name Cantu is a last name that comes from the town of Cantu in Italy.
- Caraballo
This surname comes from the Galician word for ‘oak tree’ and is probably a Spanish surname for someone who lived near an oak tree or forest.
- Cardona
This surname comes from the name of a town in the Catalonia region of Spain.
- Cardoso
This Spanish surname is a version of ‘cardozo’ that comes from the Latin word ‘carduus’ which means ‘thorny.’
- Caro
In Spanish, the surname ‘Caro’ translates to ‘beloved’ or ‘dear.’
- Carrera
Carrera is a last name that comes from the word for ‘street’ and typically refers to someone who lives near a busy road.
- Casas
It is the plural form of the Spanish surname ‘Casa,’ which translates to ‘house.’
- Castellano
The surname Castellano comes from the Spanish words ‘castilla’ or ‘castro’ which mean ‘a castle’.
- Castillo
This surname, also known as ‘Castellano’ or ‘Castilla’, is associated with the meaning of a ‘castle’.
- Chavez
The Spanish surname comes from the word ‘Chaves’, which is a city in Portugal.
- Che
This surname, which started in Argentina, means ‘hey’ and later became a Spanish last name.
- Ciervo
This Spanish surname in Spanish refers to a deer or a stag.
- Clemente
The last name comes from the Latin names ‘Clemens’ or ‘Clementius’ which means ‘merciful’ or ‘gentle.’
- Coello
The surname ‘Coelho’ comes from the Portuguese word for ‘rabbit.’ This Spanish last name is likely related to a job, specifically referring to someone who sold rabbits.
- Colon
This is the Spanish version of ‘Colombo’ which comes from the Italian word ‘Colomba’ meaning ‘dove.’ It probably used to describe people who kept doves.
- Contrera
The surname ‘Conteraras’ comes from a place in the Burgos province of Spain. It could also be related to the Spanish word ‘Contrario,’ which means opposite.
- Costa
Costa in Spanish means ‘coast’ and can also refer to a riverbank or a slope.
- Costales
The name ‘Costales’ comes from the Spanish surname that means ‘sack’ or ‘bag.’
- Crespo
This is a Spanish surname used to describe someone with curly hair.
- Cruz
The surname Cruz comes from the name ‘cross’ and refers to someone who lives close to where two roads intersect.
- Cuellar
This last name is derived from the name of a town in the Segovia province of Spain.
- Cruz
This last name comes from the word for ‘a cave’ or originally meant ‘someone who lives in a cave.’
- Dali
This last name comes from the German term ‘adal,’ which translates to ‘noble.’
- De Avila
This surname comes from Avila, a province in the Castile and Leon region of Spain.
- De Jesus
This Spanish last name comes from the name of Jesus.
- De la cruz
This Spanish surname signifies someone who lived at or near a crossroads because it means ‘of the cross’ or ‘of the crossroads’.
- De la Pena
In English, the word ‘Pena’ means a large rock or cliff. This Spanish surname means ‘of the rock’ or ‘of the cliff.’
- De la Rosa
This last name from Spain translates to ‘of the rose.’ It could have originally described someone who cultivated roses or resided close to a rose garden.
- De Toro
There are two references of this surname, one is for a place in Spain called ‘Toro’ and the other relates to the Spanish word ‘taurus’ meaning ‘bull’.
- Del Campo
In Spanish, this surname means ‘from a field’ or someone who worked or lived close to a field.
- Delgado
Delgado is a Spanish surname that translates to ‘thin’ or ‘slim.’ The last name ‘Delgado’ comes from the Latin word ‘delicatus’ which also means ‘thin’ or ‘delicate.’
- Diaz
In Spanish, the surname Diaz means ‘son of Diego.’ The last name Diego comes from Latin and means ‘teaching.’ Another source suggests it may come from the Spanish word ‘dias,’ which means ‘days.’
- Diego
The surname comes from the Latin word ‘Didacus’ or ‘Didache’ and it means ‘teaching.’
- Diaz
The surname Diaz is the Spanish version of the name ‘Dominicus’ which comes from Latin and it means ‘of the lord.’
- Duarte
Duarte is the Spanish equivalent of the name ‘Edward’ and it means ‘wealthy protector.’
- Duran
The surname Duran comes from either Jewish or Catalan origin and means ‘steadfast.’ It can also be interpreted as ‘enduring’ or ‘strong’ in different variations.
- Echeverria
This last name comes from a place in the Basque country of Spain called Etxeberria.
- Elizondo
The surname comes from the Basque term ‘Eleiza’ which means ‘people who lived close to or under a church.’
- Enrique
The surname ‘Enrique’ comes from the German word for ‘home-ruler.’
- Escamilla
It is a last name that comes from the name of a town in Spain.
- Escandon
This surname probably came from the name of a field that was known for growing a particular type of wheat.
- Escarra
This surname comes from the word ‘Esquerra’ in Catalan, which means ‘left-handed.’ This name was likely used for people who are left-handed.
- Escudero
The last name Escudero originates from the term ‘escudero,’ which translates to ‘shield bearer’ or ‘helper.’ This surname was assigned to individuals who performed this role.
- Esparza
It is a last name based on the name of a town in Spain.
- Esperanza
Esperanza is the Spanish version of the surname ‘Sperantia,’ which comes from the Late Latin word meaning ‘to hope.’
- Espina
Espina is a Spanish surname that translates to ‘thorn’ in English. In Spanish, the name means ‘thorn’ and was used for people who lived near a thorny bush. Other versions of the name include ‘Espino,’ ‘Espinosa,’ or ‘Espinoza.’
- Esteban
The Spanish version of the surname ‘Stephen’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Stephanos’ meaning ‘crown.’
- Estrada
Estrada is a last name that comes from the word for ‘street’ or ‘road’ in Spanish.
- Esposito
Esposito was an Italian surname, originating from the Latin word ‘expositus’ meaning ‘exposed’ or ‘abandoned.’ This surname came from Italy and is a version of the Italian words ‘exponere’ or ‘exposito’ which mean ‘exposed.’
- Felix
This surname originated from Rome. In Latin, ‘Felix’ means ‘lucky’ or ‘successful’.
- Fernandez
Fernandez is a Spanish last name that means ‘son of Fernando’ or ‘son of Ferdinand,’ with Ferdinand being a name that represents bravery and adventure.
- Ferreira
The surname Ferreira comes from Italy, Spain, and Catalonia. It is a last name that means someone who lived or worked close to a place where iron was made in a forge.
- Florentino
This last name comes from the words ‘Florence’ or ‘Florentia’, and it represents being successful or thriving.
- Flores
The Spanish surname ‘Floro’ means ‘son of Floro,’ which originates from the Latin word ‘Flos’ meaning ‘flower.’
- Fonseca
This Spanish last name comes from Latin and is a type of toponymic surname that describes individuals who resided close to a dry spring.
- Frontera
Frontera is a Spanish surname that means ‘boundary’ or ‘frontier’ in terms of geography.
- Fuentes
The Spanish surname ‘Fuentes’ is the plural form of the Spanish word ‘Fuente,’ which can be translated to mean a source of water like a spring, fountain, or well.
- Gabaldon
The last name is derived from a place called ‘Gabaldon’ in the Cuenca province of Spain.
- Gallego
Gallego is a Spanish surname that indicates someone is from the Galicia province in the northwest of Spain.
- Gallo
The Spanish term for ‘rooster’ was probably used to describe individuals who had a strong sense of self-worth and pride.
- Garcia
This surname comes from the Basque word ‘hartz’ which means ‘bear.’
- Gasper
This Spanish surname is a version of ‘Jasper’ and means ‘treasurer’ in Hebrew.
- Gomez
The surname Gomez comes from the medieval Portuguese word ‘goma’ which means ‘man.’
- Gonzales
Gonzales is a different version of the surname ‘Gonzalez’ and means ‘son of Gonzalo.’ The last name ‘Gonzalo’ originated from the medieval times and signifies ‘battle’ or ‘war.’
- Gordon
It started as a Scottish last name that later moved to Spain. This last name means a ‘large fort.’
- Guerra
Guerra is the Spanish surname for ‘war’. It is a term that is often used to describe a person who is argumentative or involved in fighting.
- Guiterrez
It is a different version of the surname ‘Gutierrez,’ which is a Spanish surname that means ‘son of Gutierre.’ The last name ‘Gutierre’ likely comes from Germanic roots and translates to ‘he who rules’ or ‘ruler of the army.’
- Hernandez
This last name in Spanish means ‘son of Hernando’ or ‘son of Fernando.’ Fernando or Ferdinand translates to ‘brave journey’ in Old Spanish.
- Hidalgo
Hidalgo is a Spanish surname or last name that means a person who is considered a noble or gentleman.
- Huerta
It is the Spanish surname for a cultivated area of land where fruits and vegetables are grown.
- Iglesias
This surname is Spanish for ‘church.’ The famous singer Enrique Iglesias has this last name.
- Jaramillo
Jaramillo is a Spanish last name that comes from the name of a place in the Burgos province of Spain.
- Javier
The Spanish surname comes from Basque and means ‘the new house.’
- Jiminez
Jiminez is a Spanish last name that means ‘son of Jimeno.’ The name ‘Jimeno’ comes from the name ‘Simon’ and it means ‘he has heard’ in Hebrew.
- Juaquin
It is a different version of the name ‘Joachim.’ In Hebrew, this last name means ‘raised up by God’ or ‘lifted up by Yahweh.’
- Juarez
The surname comes from the Latin word ‘Suerius’ which means ‘army,’ and is often used as an occupational last name.
- La Torre
La Torre is a last name of Spanish origin that translates to ‘a tower’.
- Lago
Lago is a last name that comes from the word for ‘lake’ and typically means ‘someone who lived near a lake.’
- Lanzo
The last name Lanzo comes from an Old Germanic term, ‘landa,’ which means ‘land.’
- Leo
The surname Leo comes from a Latin word that means ‘lion.’
- Lopez
This last name means ‘son of Lope.’ The name ‘Lope’ comes from the Latin word ‘Lupus,’ which means ‘wolf.’
- Lorenzo
Lorenzo is a surname or last name that comes from the word ‘Laurence’ or ‘Laurentum’, which is the name of a city in ancient Italy. Therefore, Lorenzo is a surname based on a place name.
- Lovato
It originated in Italy and comes from the Late Latin word ‘Lupatus,’ which means resembling a wolf.
- Lucia
This surname comes from the Latin word ‘lux’ which means ‘light.’
- Maduro
Maduro is a last name of Spanish origin that translates to ‘ripe’ or ‘mature.’
- Manuel
Derived from the Hebrew word ‘Emmanuel,’ this surname means ‘God is with us.’
- Marco
The surname Marco comes from the Latin word ‘Marcus’ which is associated with the ‘Roman God Mars.’
- Mareno
Mareno is a version of the name ‘Moreno,’ which comes from the Spanish words for ‘dark’ or ‘brown.’ This last name might have been used to describe individuals with dark or brown hair.
- Martinez
The surname Martinez means ‘son of Martin.’ The name ‘Martin’ is derived from the Roman name ‘Martinus,’ which is linked to the Roman God Mars.
- Mathias
This Spanish surname comes from the expression ‘Matthew’, interpreting to ‘present from Yahweh’ in Hebrew.
- Mejia
This surname is a Spanish version of ‘Messiah,’ which comes from Hebrew and means ‘savior’ or the ‘chosen one.’
- Mendoza
This surname roots can be traced back to the Basque region, where it means a cold mountain.
- Montes
This last name translates to ‘mountains’ in Spanish.
- Morales
The surname ‘Morales’ in Spanish is connected to the meaning of a tree called a mulberry tree.
- Najarro
This Spanish last name is based on a place called ‘Najarro’ in the Caceres province of Spain.
- Neri
This surname comes from the Italian word ‘Nero,’ which translates to ‘black’ or ‘dark.’
- Nunez
The surname Nunez means a ‘son of Nuno.’ This last name comes from either the Latin word ‘nonus,’ which means ‘ninth,’ or ‘nunnus,’ which means ‘grandfather.’
- Ortega
Ortega is a Spanish surname or last name that comes from the plant known as ‘nettle’ or ‘urtica.’
- Ortiz
This surname means ‘son of Orti.’ The name ‘Orti’ could have come from the Latin word ‘Fortis,’ which means ‘brave,’ ‘strong,’ or ‘powerful.’
- Padilla
In Spanish, the surname ‘Padilla’ means a small frying pan or a bread pan.
- Padron
Padron is a surname or last name that comes from a town in Galicia, Spain. Some say it might also mean ‘patron’ or ‘master’ in Galician.
- Palacios
The last name Palacios comes from the Latin word ‘palatium,’ which means ‘palace’ in Spanish. Those who resided or worked in a palace were assigned this surname.
- Palmero
The surname Palmero comes from the city of ‘Palma’ in Spain. In Spanish, ‘Palma’ can also mean ‘palm.’
- Parilla
Parilla is a Spanish last name that comes from the word ‘parra,’ which means ‘vine’ or ‘grapevine.’ People with this surname probably lived close to vineyards.
- Pena
The English spelling of the Spanish surname ‘Pena’ means ‘rock,’ ‘boulder,’ or ‘cliff.’
- Peralez
The name ‘Perales’ is a variation of this surname. It comes from the Spanish word ‘Peral’ which means ‘pear tree’.
- Perez
Perez is a surname used for someone who is the son of a man named Pedro. The last name Pedro is the Spanish version of the name Peter, which is derived from the Greek word petros meaning ‘stone.’
- Pinto
The surname ‘Pinto’ can mean colorful or painted. It is also a surname that originated from a place called ‘Pinto’ in Madrid.
- Prado
The surname ‘Prado’ comes from places called ‘Prado’ in Spain and Portugal. The last name ‘Prado’ means meadow in Spanish.
- Puerta
Puerta is a Spanish surname that means ‘door’ or ‘gate.’ It is a surname that originated from where people lived near the entrances of a town.
- Real
The surname Real comes from a word in Southern French that means ‘Royal.’
- Reyes
The surname Reyes comes from the Spanish word ‘Rey’ which means ‘king’.
- Rivas
The surname Rivas comes from places in Spain with the names ‘Rivas’ or ‘Ribas’.
- Rivera
It comes from the Spanish surname ‘Ribera,’ which means ‘river bank’ or ‘shore.’
- Rodriguez
The name ‘Rodrigo’ is derived from ‘Roderick,’ which has Germanic roots and means ‘renowned strength.’
- Rojas
The surname comes from the Spanish word ‘Rojo’, which means ‘red’. It probably used to describe people with red hair or fair skin.
- Romero’ – The name Romero with the number 201. Romero is a term used to describe a person on a pilgrimage to Rome. The term ‘Romero’ also refers to the herb rosemary in Spanish.
- Rozario
The surname Rosario is a different version of this last name meaning ‘rosary beads’ or ‘prayer beads.’
- Rubio
The surname Rubio comes from Spanish and means ‘blond’, it was used to describe individuals with light-colored or blond hair.
- Sala
Sala is a last name that refers to someone who works at a large house.
- Salamanca
This last name comes from Salamanca, a city in the northwest of Spain, and is used to identify people from there.
- Salas
This Spanish surname refers to someone who works at a manor house.
- Salazar
The surname Salazar is a combination of the Spanish word for ‘hall’ and the Basque word for ‘old.’ This means that Salazar translates to ‘old hall.’ It could also be a reference to people from a town called Salazar in Burgos, Spain.
- Salvador
The origin of the surname is from a term in Late Latin that refers to a person who saves others.
- Salvo
This surname comes from the ancient Roman word ‘Salvius,’ which is derived from the Latin word ‘Salvus’ meaning ‘safe.’
- Saint Michael
San Miguel is a name that comes from the area near the church of St. Michael. The name Michael is Hebrew and means ‘who is like God.’
- Sanchez
‘Son of Sancho’ means that the person is the son of someone named Sancho. The name ‘Sancho’ originated from the Late Latin word ‘Sanctius,’ which translates to ‘saintly’ or ‘holy.’
- Santana
Santana is a surname that comes from the combination of ‘Saint Anna.’ The name Anna is from the Hebrew word Hannah, which means favor or grace. Santana could also be a name based on where someone lived near the church of St. Anna.
- Santos
In Spanish, this last name means ‘saints.’ This surname probably originally described someone who was a saint or very religious.
- Santiago
Santiago is a last name that means someone lived near the church of St. James.
- Sarto
Sarto is a surname that is based on a person’s occupation and originates from the Italian term for a ‘tailor.’
- Serrano
In Spanish, this surname means a line of mountains or a range of mountains. This last name describes those who lived close to a mountain range or group of hills.
- Sevilla
The surname ‘toponymic’ is used for people who are originally from the city of ‘Seville’ in Spain.
- Silvera
It is a different version of the surname Silveira, which originates from the Portuguese word ‘Silva’ meaning ‘woods’ or ‘woodland.’
- Solano
Solano is a last name that comes from places in Spain called ‘Solano.’ This surname comes from the Spanish word ‘Sol,’ which means ‘sun.’
- Sosa
The surname Sosa comes from the Latin word ‘salsus’ meaning ‘salty’ and is a variation of ‘sousa’. It is also a last name used for people who lived close to the River Sousa.
- Sotomayor
This surname is commonly used in Spain and probably originated from individuals living in areas with dense vegetation like thickets, groves, or forests.
- Suarez
The surname Suarez means ‘son of Suero,’ with Suero coming from the Medieval Spanish term ‘Sueris’ which means ‘army.’
- Tapia
Tapia is a common surname of Spanish origin. Tapia is a Spanish word that means a mud wall or simply a wall.
- Tadeo
This surname originates from the name ‘Thaddeus,’ which is based on the Greek word ‘Thaddaios’ meaning ‘heart.’
- Teodoro
The Spanish surname of ‘Theodore’ is derived from the Greek name ‘Theodoros,’ which translates to ‘God’s gift.’
- Tineo
Tineo is a last name that comes from a place called ‘Tineo’ in the Asturias province of Spain.
- Toledo
This surname comes from a city known as ‘Toledo’ in the middle of Spain.
- Torrez
The surname Torrez comes from ‘Torres,’ which means ‘towers’ in Spanish. It is a surname that may indicate someone who lived in or near a tower.
- Trevino
Trevino is a last name that comes from the names of different places in Spain.
- Trinidad
The surname Trinidad is the Spanish name for ‘trinity’ or ‘holy trinity’.
- Trujillo
Trujillo is a Spanish last name that comes from a town with the same name in Spain.
- Urbano
Urbano comes from the Latin name ‘Urbanus’ and means someone who lives in a city.
- Urias
The surname ‘Uriah’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘Uriyah,’ which means ‘Yahweh is my light.’
- Valdez
This surname means ‘son of Baldo.’ The last name ‘Baldo’ comes from the Old German word ‘bald’ which means ‘bold’ or ‘brave.’
- Valenciano
This last name comes from the Spanish city of Valencia, so it is considered a toponymic surname.
- Vallez
It is a version of the surname ‘Valles,’ which means ‘valleys.’ This last name probably belonged to people who lived near valleys in Spain.
- Vargas
The surname ‘Vargas’ comes from the word ‘Varga,’ which can mean a thatched hut, steep slope, or pastureland in certain Spanish dialects.
- Vasco
The surname ‘Vasco’ originates from the Medieval Spanish and Old Basque word for ‘crow.’
- Vega
Vega is a Spanish surname that means ‘meadow.’ The last name Vega comes from a place name and describes someone who lives in a meadow.
- Vela
The origin of the surname ‘Vela’ is Spanish and it can mean either ‘sail’ or ‘being watchful.’
- Velasquez
It is a version of the surname ‘Velasco,’ which translates to ‘crow’ in Medieval Spanish and Old Basque.
- Vera
Vera in Spanish surname means ‘riverbank’ or ‘border.’ The last name comes from people who used to live by a riverbank or border.
- Verde
Verde is the Spanish surname for the color green.
- Vidales
This surname comes from the Latin word ‘Vitalis’ which is derived from ‘Vita’ meaning ‘life.’
- Villanova
This is a last name that comes from a place name meaning ‘new settlement.’ The surname probably comes from Latin.
- Villanueva
This surname is a different way of spelling ‘Villanova’ which means a recently established community.
- Villas
The surname ‘Villas’ comes from ‘Villads’ or ‘Willihad,’ which has its origins in Old German and means a ‘desire to fight’ or a ‘wish for battle.’
- Yanez
Yanez is a last name that means ‘son of Juan,’ with ‘Juan’ being the Spanish version of the name ‘John.’ The name ‘John’ originates from Hebrew and translates to ‘Yahweh is gracious.’
- Zacarias
This Spanish version of surname Zechariah means ‘Yahweh’ or ‘God’ in Hebrew.
- Zapata
The surname ‘Zapata’ derives from the Spanish word ‘zapato,’ which means ‘shoe.’ The surname ‘Zapata’ may indicate that someone’s ancestors were shoemakers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each country has its own special way of naming surnames. Spanish surnames or last names are meaningful and have a rich history. Spain is in the mountainous area of the Iberian Peninsula, and you can see its culture and diversity reflected in Spanish surnames. There is a mix of Catalonian, Spanish, and Basque last names, as well as some influenced by other parts of Europe and Western Asia. Learning about Spanish surnames can provide insight into the country’s ancestral past.
