101 Spanish Last Names: Origins, Meanings & Name Ideas
Spanish last names hold centuries of history, rooted in kingdoms, conquests, and the simple beauty of everyday life.From García to Gutiérrez, these names travel across borders and generations.
In this guide, you’ll explore over a hundred Spanish last names with their meanings, origins, and cultural weight. You’ll find names that mean “warrior,” “wolf,” or “of the valley.” You’ll see how a single syllable can trace back to the Visigoths, Romans, or Arab-Andalusian culture. For more surnames and name ideas, visit BLN.
27 Most Common Spanish Last Names in Spain Today
Some names you see everywhere. On street signs, ID cards, football jerseys. That’s because Spanish surnames, especially in Spain, tend to follow deep-rooted traditions. The same few names have been passed down for centuries. For example, data from Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE) confirms García is the top surname in Spain.
Here are the 27 most common Spanish last names in Spain today, ranked by popularity and packed with meaning.
| Last Name | Approx. Bearers | Meaning | Pronunciation |
| García | 1,378,000+ | Possibly “young” or “bear” (Basque origin) | gar-SEE-ah / gar-THEE-ah |
| Rodríguez | 926,000+ | Son of Rodrigo | ro-DREE-guess |
| González | 924,000+ | Son of Gonzalo | gon-THAH-les / gon-SAH-les |
| Fernández | 910,000+ | Son of Fernando | fer-NAN-des |
| López | 868,000+ | Son of Lope (“wolf”) | LO-pess / LO-peth |
| Martínez | 859,000+ | Son of Martín | mar-TEE-ness |
| Sánchez | 829,000+ | Son of Sancho | SAN-chez |
| Pérez | 816,000+ | Son of Pedro | PEH-reth / PEH-rez |
| Martín | 507,000+ | From Latin Martinus, “of Mars” | mar-TEEN |
| Gómez | 492,000+ | Son of Gome, “man” | GO-mez |
| Ruiz | 426,000+ | Son of Ruy or Rodrigo | ROO-ith / ROO-eeth |
| Hernández | 416,000+ | Son of Hernando | er-NAN-dez |
| Jiménez | 410,000+ | Son of Jimeno | hee-MEH-nez |
| Díaz | 395,000+ | Son of Diego | DEE-ath |
| Álvarez | 377,000+ | Son of Álvaro | AL-va-reth |
| Moreno | 360,000+ | Dark-skinned or brunette | mo-REH-no |
| Muñoz | 341,000+ | Son of Munio (unknown origin) | MOO-nyoth |
| Romero | 327,000+ | A pilgrim or someone from Rome | ro-MEH-ro |
| Alonso | 323,000+ | Derived from Alfonso | a-LON-so |
| Gutiérrez | 310,000+ | Son of Gutierre | goo-TYEH-reth |
| Navarro | 298,000+ | From Navarre region | na-VAH-ro |
| Torres | 287,000+ | Towers (toponymic) | TOR-res |
| Domínguez | 285,000+ | Son of Domingo | do-MEEN-guess |
| Vázquez | 281,000+ | Son of Vasco | VAS-keth |
| Gil | 277,000+ | From Latin Aegidius | heel |
| Ramos | 268,000+ | “Branches” or from Palm Sunday | RAH-moss |
| Ramírez | 261,000+ | Son of Ramiro | ra-MEE-reth |
| Blanco | 256,000+ | “White” or fair-skinned | BLAN-ko |
31 Best Spanish Last Names From Spain’s Rich History
These Spanish surnames from Spain trace back to noble houses, warrior clans, poets, and kings. They’re woven into the story of a country shaped by conquests, crowns, and cathedrals.
Below are 31 of the most storied and traditional Spanish surnames, many of them rooted in Castilian history. These are names once whispered in royal courts and carved into catacomb walls.
| Surname | Meaning / Origin | Famous Bearer |
| Cervantes | From “ciervo” (stag); noble protector | Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote |
| Velázquez | Son of Velasco; Basque origin | Diego Velázquez, court painter to Philip IV |
| Borbón | House of Bourbon; royal family name | Spanish monarchy |
| Zúñiga | Town in Navarre; nobility | Dukes of Béjar |
| Mendoza | “Cold mountain” in Basque | Pedro de Mendoza, explorer |
| Ávila | From the city of Ávila | Saint Teresa of Ávila |
| Pizarro | Possibly “grey-haired” or toponymic | Francisco Pizarro, conquistador of Peru |
| Calderón | “Boilermaker” | Pedro Calderón de la Barca, playwright |
| Quevedo | Watchman, from Latin quae videre | Francisco de Quevedo, satirist |
| Carvajal | From Carvaja in León | Juan de Carvajal, explorer |
| Escobar | From a place full of bushes (escobas) | Medieval nobility in Asturias |
| Salazar | Basque origin; “old hall” | Sorcery-linked lore, used in Harry Potter |
| Ortega | Derived from “urtica” (nettle) | José Ortega y Gasset, philosopher |
| Lara | From Lara de los Infantes, noble house | Counts of Lara |
| Goya | Possibly from Gothic “godha” (good) | Francisco Goya, painter |
| Aguirre | Basque, “prominent place” | Lope de Aguirre, conquistador |
| Herrera | “Blacksmith” | Count of Herrera lineage |
| Osorio | “Hunter of wolves” (from Latin) | Counts of Trastámara |
| Sáenz | “Son of Sancho” | Old Castilian name |
| Treviño | From Treviño, province of Burgos | Noble family lands |
| Toledo | From the ancient city of Toledo | Dukes of Toledo |
| Ribera | “Riverside dweller” | Juan de Ribera, archbishop |
| León | From Kingdom of León | Used by nobles and clergy |
| Loaysa | Unknown Basque origin | Loaysa expedition (Pacific explorers) |
| Anaya | Basque; unknown exact root | Linked to military orders |
| Echeverría | “New house” in Basque | Basque nationalist surname |
| Godoy | “Good” (Gothic origin) | Manuel de Godoy, Spanish PM under Charles IV |
| Aranda | From the town Aranda de Duero | Count of Aranda, Enlightenment figure |
| Montero | “Hunter” | Noble military ranks |
| Cisneros | From town in Palencia | Cardinal Cisneros, key figure in Spanish Inquisition |
| Fonseca | Galician origin, “dry spring” | House of Fonseca, educators & clergy |
23 Unique Spanish Surnames You’ve Probably Never Heard Before
Below is a list of old Spanish last names that are drawn from Basque, Catalan, and Andalusian roots. These names have been filtered through genealogy sites and Reddit name-nerd threads. Checkout our unique names collection all around the world for more.
Following names can spark the imagination and hint at stories long buried.
| Surname | Region | Meaning / Notes |
| Aguinaga | Basque | “Field by the river bend” |
| Zubizarreta | Basque | “Bridge of gravel” |
| Urrutia | Basque | “Far away place” |
| Alfaguara | Andalusia | “Natural spring”; Arabic origin |
| Canals | Catalan | “Water channels” or “canals” |
| Espluga | Catalonia | “Cave” or “hollow” |
| Montjuïc | Catalonia | “Mountain of the Jews” (historic hill in Barcelona) |
| Pereire | Galicia | Possibly from “stone” or “rocky area” |
| Vallejo | Castilla-La Mancha | “Little valley” |
| Jofré | Catalan / Aragonese | Medieval noble name, rare today |
| Echegaray | Basque | “House near the open field” |
| Benjumea | Andalusia | Sephardic Jewish origin |
| Moratinos | León | “Dark little ones” or “place name” |
| Ortueta | Basque | “Place of nettles” |
| Fabra | Catalan | “Smith” or metal worker |
| Taramona | Basque / Riojan | Rare rural surname, little-documented |
| Ximeno | Navarra | Variant of Jimeno; early medieval patronymic |
| Verdugo | Andalusia | “Executioner”; historically a noble surname |
| Carrascosa | Castilla | “Place of holm oaks” |
| Almunia | Aragón / Andalusia | Arabic: “garden” or “orchard” |
| Ferré | Catalan | “Iron” or ironworker |
| Boix | Catalan | “Boxwood tree” |
| Arriaga | Basque | “Place of stones” |
29 Beautiful Spanish Last Names for Boys and Girls
These beautiful Spanish last names sound strong, look elegant, and hold meaning that reaches across time.
Below, we’ve grouped 29 names that shine.All of them pair effortlessly with modern or traditional first names.
For Boys: Strong, Grounded, Timeless
| Surname | Meaning / Feel |
| Castillo | “Castle” — strong, noble |
| Ramírez | “Son of Ramiro” — warrior legacy |
| Vega | “Meadow” — calm but grounded |
| Gallego | “From Galicia” — regional pride |
| Moreno | “Dark-haired” — earthy and confident |
| Silva | “Forest” — natural and classic |
| Bravo | “Brave” or “wild” — bold personality |
| Cruz | “Cross” — short, iconic, spiritual |
| Delgado | “Slender” — sharp, elegant |
| Fuentes | “Fountain” — fluid, poetic masculinity |
| Pardo | “Brown” — simple, strong, noble |
| Reyes | “Kings” — commanding and regal |
| Serrano | “From the mountains” — tough and rugged |
| Gallo | “Rooster” — bold and assertive |
| Iglesias | “Churches” — cultural, melodic |
For Girls: Lyrical, Soft, Graceful
| Surname | Meaning / Feel |
| Luna | “Moon” — dreamy and poetic |
| Blanca | “White” — pure, soft, regal |
| Marín | “Of the sea” — graceful and fluid |
| Rosa | “Rose” — romantic, eternal |
| Estrella | “Star” — luminous and hopeful |
| Paloma | “Dove” — peaceful and elegant |
| Solano | “Easterly wind” — airy and refined |
| Amaya | Basque origin — “mother” or “beloved” |
| Montaña | “Mountain” — strong yet serene |
| Villalobos | “Village of wolves” — lyrical and fierce |
| Acevedo | “Holly grove” — rare and poetic |
| Castañeda | “Chestnut grove” — warm and timeless |
| Carmina | “Poem” or “song” — lyrical heritage |
| Del Mar | “Of the sea” — serene, evocative |
Names are more than sounds. They’re stage names for life. One user on a baby name forum wrote:
“We chose ‘Cruz’ because it felt clean, powerful, and bilingual. It’s a name that can travel.”
19 Good Spanish Surnames with Strong Sound & Style
Some names just hit differently. They roll off the tongue with elegance or snap like a drum. These good Spanish surnames were chosen not for how common they are, but for how they feel.
| Surname | Why It Works |
| Llorente | Soft and melodic, yet dignified. Mentioned often in style-conscious baby name forums. |
| Esparza | Sharp, exotic, and regional. Sounds powerful in both English and Spanish. |
| Navarro | Noble edge with geographic gravitas—“from Navarre.” |
| Alarcón | Refined and poetic; used in literature and nobility. |
| Soler | Short, modern, yet deeply traditional in Catalonia. |
| Marquez | Iconic—thanks to Gabriel García Márquez. Strong literary flair. |
| Sierra | “Mountain”—crisp, natural, elevated in tone and image. |
| Durán | Masculine, classic, clean—often ranked as “underrated cool” on Reddit. |
| Castaño | “Chestnut” tree—rich, warm, and textured. |
| Román | Regal and modern; rooted in Rome, but widely beloved in Spain. |
| Baeza | Rare and romantic; tied to the Andalusian city. |
| Suárez | Historical weight (Uruguayan football legend), but stylish in any setting. |
| Valle | “Valley”—simple, serene, but visually elegant. |
| Montoro | Uncommon, lyrical, and aristocratic. |
| Cadena | “Chain”—symbolic, rhythmic, and strong. |
| Rosales | “Rose bushes”—rich in imagery and elegance. |
| Tejada | Noble and rustic; often found in classic Spanish drama. |
| Caro | “Dear” or “beloved”—short, chic, and affectionate. |
| Olivares | “Olive groves”—luxurious, lush, and deeply Mediterranean. |
15 Hispanic & Latino Last Names with Deep Cultural Roots
Hispanic last names are more than Spanish. They’re layered with migration, mestizaje, resilience, and identity. While many have Spanish roots, they’ve evolved across Latin America and are shaped by Indigenous, African, and European histories. That’s what makes Latino family names so rich.
Here are 15 Hispanic last names that stand tall across the Americas, each carrying cultural weight and real-world recognition:
| Surname | Root & Region | Cultural Note |
| García | Spanish origin; Mexico, U.S., Colombia | The most common Hispanic last name in the world. |
| Hernández | Spain → Latin America | From Hernando, now common from Mexico to the Bronx. |
| Ramírez | Spain, El Salvador, Guatemala | Used by politicians, boxers, and stars—symbol of strength. |
| Morales | From moral (mulberry tree); Mexico, Guatemala | Symbol of rootedness and endurance. |
| Vargas | Galicia origin; widely spread in Venezuela, Colombia | Often seen in politics and TV. |
| Cruz | “Cross”—used widely in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic | Spiritual but modern—used in arts and media. |
| Delgado | Spain, Cuba, Nicaragua | “Slender” but strong—frequent in poetry and academia. |
| Bautista | “Baptist”; Dominican Republic, Philippines, U.S. | Both biblical and culturally embedded. |
| Flores | “Flowers”; Mexico, El Salvador, Peru | Romantic, common, and cross-cultural. |
| Ortega | Spain → Mexico, U.S., Nicaragua | Intellectual and political resonance (José Ortega y Gasset). |
| Santiago | “Saint James”; Chile, Puerto Rico | Name of cities and saints—symbol of protector. |
| Rivas | Latinized, elegant | Used across South America, often in creative fields. |
| Acevedo | Colombia, Argentina, U.S. | Rising in popularity, soft but noble in sound. |
| Espinoza | Spain → Bolivia, Ecuador, U.S. | “Thorny”—tough, poetic, and distinctive. |
| Castro | Galicia; Cuba, Spain, Venezuela | Political, complex, and unforgettable. |
The “‑ez” Effect: 11 Common Spanish Patronymic Surnames Explained
If you’ve ever wondered why so many Spanish surnames end in ‑ez, here’s the answer: it means “son of.” It’s a linguistic echo from the Middle Ages.When surnames weren’t about status instead they were about survival.The suffix ‑ez evolved from the Latin “-ici” or “‑icius”, influenced by Visigothic language. Over time, it marked a father’s first name turned into a family’s last name.
Below are 11 classic patronymic Spanish last names, with their literal meanings:
| Surname | Meaning | From the Given Name |
| Martínez | Son of Martín | Martín (Latin: Mars, god of war) |
| Hernández | Son of Hernando | Hernando (variant of Fernando) |
| González | Son of Gonzalo | Gonzalo (battle genius in Old Spanish) |
| Rodríguez | Son of Rodrigo | Rodrigo (famous ruler) |
| Pérez | Son of Pedro | Pedro (Peter = rock) |
| Sánchez | Son of Sancho | Sancho (sacred or holy) |
| Díaz | Son of Diego | Diego (may derive from “Didacus,” Latinized) |
| Álvarez | Son of Álvaro | Álvaro (guardian or defender) |
| Jiménez | Son of Jimeno | Jimeno (uncertain—early medieval usage) |
| Gómez | Son of Gome | Gome (Old Iberian, “man”) |
| Ruiz | Son of Ruy or Rodrigo | Shortened form of Rodrigo |
Think of it this way: these names were the original family tags. Like writing “Martín’s kid” on a village ledger. One Redditor summed it up perfectly:
“My last name’s Pérez. Turns out I’ve been carrying Pedro’s name for 500 years.”
18 Toponymic, Descriptive & Occupational Spanish Surnames
Before surnames were handed down, they were handed out. You were named for what you built, how you looked, or where you lived. That’s the story behind toponymic, descriptive, and occupational Spanish surnames, names built from identity on the ground.
These aren’t patronymics. They’re life labels.
Toponymic (Place-Based) Surnames
| Surname | Meaning |
| Torres | “Towers” — often from people who lived near or in fortified towns |
| Navarro | “From Navarre” — a proud regional name |
| Toledo | From the city of Toledo — ancient Roman and Moorish capital |
| Sevilla | “From Seville” — Andalusian elegance |
| Del Río | “Of the river” — linked to riverbank settlements |
| Campos | “Fields” — rural origin, from farm country |
Descriptive Surnames
| Surname | Meaning |
| Delgado | “Slim” or “slender” — physical descriptor |
| Rubio | “Blond” — rare in Spain but preserved |
| Moreno | “Dark-haired” or “tanned” — still widely used |
| Blanco | “White” or fair-skinned |
| Rojo | “Red” — possibly red-haired or fiery-tempered |
| Castaño | “Chestnut-colored” — warm and earthy name |
Occupational Surnames
| Surname | Meaning |
| Zapatero | Shoemaker — famously carried by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, former Prime Minister |
| Molina | “Miller” — worked at a mill |
| Herrero | “Blacksmith” — common in northern Spain |
| Guerrero | “Warrior” — often associated with medieval fighters |
| Pastor | “Shepherd” — religious and pastoral roots |
| Carretero | “Cart driver” — tied to trade routes and rural life |
These names were never random. They were earned, assigned or sometimes even branded. One genealogist on WordReference wrote:
“My great-grandfather was a Zapatero. My last name still smells like leather.”
22 Famous Spanish Last Names from Film, Politics & Pop Culture
Some surnames shine brighter because of the people who carried them. These famous Spanish surnames show up in movie credits, museum walls, and world history. They’ve made “Spaniard surnames” recognizable from Tokyo to Buenos Aires.
Here are 22 Spainish last names with global weight, and why they still matter:
| Surname | Famous Figure | Why It Resonates |
| Banderas | Antonio Banderas (actor) | Charismatic, international, bilingual charm |
| Cruz | Penélope Cruz (actress) | Global beauty, talent, and elegance |
| Picasso | Pablo Picasso (artist) | A name synonymous with modern art |
| Gaudí | Antoni Gaudí (architect) | Barcelona’s soul, visionary genius |
| Lorca | Federico García Lorca (poet) | Passion, rebellion, deep Spain |
| Dalí | Salvador Dalí (artist) | Eccentric brilliance, timeless imagery |
| Franco | Francisco Franco (dictator) | Controversial, historical impact |
| Casillas | Iker Casillas (footballer) | A goalkeeper legend; loyalty and pride |
| Goya | Francisco de Goya (painter) | Dark genius of classical Spanish art |
| Almodóvar | Pedro Almodóvar (director) | Provocative, heartfelt, deeply human films |
| Zapatero | José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero (PM) | Progressive reformer, social rights leader |
| Ibáñez | Paco Ibáñez (singer) | Protest music, folk revivalist |
| Suárez | Adolfo Suárez (PM) | Architect of Spain’s democratic transition |
| Ferreras | Antonio García Ferreras (journalist) | Fierce and respected media presence |
| Rosalía | (Pop star, full name Rosalía Vila Tobella) | Rewriting flamenco with Gen Z fire |
| Márquez | Gabriel García Márquez (Colombian, but Hispanic surname) | Nobel-winning novelist; symbolic across Latin cultures |
| Calleja | Jesús Calleja (TV adventurer) | Outdoor charisma, pop science appeal |
| Iniesta | Andrés Iniesta (footballer) | Humility meets world-class performance |
| Bosé | Miguel Bosé (singer) | Music royalty, flamboyant and bold |
| Vargas Llosa | Mario Vargas Llosa (Peruvian-Spanish novelist) | Literary giant with political edge |
| Ortega | Amancio Ortega (Zara founder) | Billionaire quiet power |
| Cebrián | Juan Luis Cebrián (journalist, media mogul) | Shaped Spanish press and global reporting |
20 Spanish Last Names with Regional Pride: Catalonia, Basque, Galicia & More
Spain isa chorus of regional cultures. Catalonia, Basque Country, Galicia, Andalusia all singing in different dialects. These Spanish family names carry a piece of their region’s soul, and sometimes even the language.
Below are 20 Spanish last names tied deeply to their native lands, each offering regional meaning.
| Surname | Region | Meaning / Cultural Note |
| Pujol | Catalonia | “Small hill” in Catalan, proudly local |
| Ferrer | Catalonia | “Blacksmith” in Catalan, common artisan name |
| Puig | Catalonia | “Peak” — often linked to geography and identity |
| Echeverría | Basque | “New house” — echoes Basque architecture and heritage |
| Uribe | Basque | “Town valley” — regionally rooted |
| Mendizábal | Basque | “Wide mountain” — noble Basque heritage |
| Zubizarreta | Basque | “Bridge of gravel” — regional and rare |
| García | Galicia | Shared with Castile, but spoken with a Galician lilt |
| López | Galicia | A common name that strolls across Galician meadows |
| Ríos | Galicia | “Rivers” — echoing the region’s lush waterways |
| Álvarez | Asturias | Tied to landowners and regional families |
| Fernández | Castilla y León | Ubiquitous, but rooted in medieval Leonese culture |
| Lorenzo | Madrid region | From the Roman name Laurentius—elegant and urban |
| Andaluz | Andalusia | Literally “Andalusian”—pride in southern roots |
| Morales | Andalusia | “Mulberry trees”—echoing the region’s agricultural past |
| Benjumea | Andalusia | Rare, with Sephardic Jewish heritage in the south |
| Crespo | Andalucía/Castilla | “Curly” — descriptive and tied to rural traditions |
| Mostaza | Castilla-La Mancha | “Mustard” — unique, rustic surname |
| Vallejo | Castilla-La Mancha | “Little valley” — rural poetry |
| Delgado | Extremadura | Common but carrying rural character |
14 Spanish Surnames That Traveled Through History
Names travel like people do; by sea, war, faith, and trade. Over centuries, Spanish surnames from Spain spread across oceans and empires. They landed in Latin America, the Caribbean, the Philippines, and U.S. barrios.
Here are 14 Spanish Last names that became global:
| Surname | Where It Traveled | How It Evolved |
| González | Mexico, U.S., Chile | Common in both colonial and modern migration waves |
| Cruz | Puerto Rico, Philippines | Adopted during Christian conversion and Spanish rule |
| Santos | Philippines, El Salvador | Popular Catholic surname granted during baptisms |
| Flores | Guatemala, Texas | Tied to rural heritage and mestizo families |
| Ortiz | Argentina, U.S. Southwest | Spread via Basque and Galician emigrants |
| Castro | Cuba, Peru, California | From landowners to revolutionaries |
| Del Rosario | Philippines, Dominican Republic | Religious and noble—still common in Manila |
| Morales | Venezuela, Nicaragua, Florida | Common surname among teachers and civil servants |
| Paredes | Peru, Honduras, Mexico | Means “walls”—used widely in colonial records |
| Ramírez | Everywhere—especially Central America | One of the most common names in Spanish-speaking diaspora |
| Navarro | U.S. West Coast, Philippines | Migrated from Navarra, often used in clerical records |
| Aguilar | Colombia, Texas | “Eagle”—carried by soldiers, now found in media and sports |
| Lopez | Literally everywhere | Adapted without accent in English-speaking nations |
| Espinoza | Bolivia, U.S., Ecuador | Variation of “Espinosa”—thorny, poetic, and proud |
One YouTube comment on a genealogy video read:
“My surname is Santos. I’m Filipino, but when I visited Spain and saw it on street signs, I felt like my name finally came home.”
That’s what a Spanish surname origin can do; it can connect continents through memory, blood, and sound.
List of 33 Spanish Last Names (A–Z) with Pronunciation and Meanings
Need a quick-reference Spanish surnames list? This A–Z list of Spanish last names gives you pronunciation, meanings, and regional flavor in one glance.
| Surname | Pronunciation (IPA) | Meaning / Notes |
| Álvarez | [ˈal.βa.ɾeθ] / [ˈal.va.ɾes] | Son of Álvaro |
| Benítez | [beˈni.θeθ] / [beˈni.tes] | Son of Benito |
| Cabrera | [kaˈβɾe.ɾa] | “Goatherd” or pastoral region |
| Delgado | [delˈɣa.ðo] | “Slim” or slender frame |
| Espinosa | [es.piˈno.sa] | “Thorny” or brambly place |
| Fernández | [feɾˈnan.deθ] / [feɾˈnan.des] | Son of Fernando |
| García | [ɡaɾˈθi.a] / [ɡaɾˈsi.a] | Possibly “young” or Basque “bear” |
| Herrera | [eˈre.ɾa] | “Ironworker” / blacksmith |
| Ibáñez | [iˈβa.ɲeθ] | Son of Iban (Basque form of Juan) |
| Jiménez | [xiˈme.neθ] | Son of Jimeno |
| López | [ˈlo.peθ] / [ˈlo.pes] | Son of Lope (“wolf”) |
| Martínez | [maɾˈti.neθ] | Son of Martín |
| Núñez | [ˈnu.ɲeθ] | Son of Nuño |
| Ortega | [oɾˈte.ɣa] | Possibly “nettle field” |
| Pérez | [ˈpe.ɾeθ] / [ˈpe.res] | Son of Pedro |
| Quevedo | [keˈβe.ðo] | “Watchtower” or lookout |
| Ramírez | [raˈmi.ɾeθ] | Son of Ramiro |
| Sánchez | [ˈsan.tʃeθ] | Son of Sancho |
| Torres | [ˈto.res] | “Towers”—toponymic |
| Uribe | [uˈɾi.βe] | Basque: “town valley” |
| Valdez | [balˈdeθ] / [balˈdes] | “Son of Baldo” or place name |
| Vargas | [ˈbaɾ.ɣas] | Regional noble name |
| Ximénez | [ʃiˈme.neθ] / [ksiˈme.nes] | Archaic; variant of Jiménez |
| Yáñez | [ˈʝa.ɲeθ] | Son of Juan or Iago |
| Zamora | [θaˈmo.ɾa] | From the city of Zamora |
| Acevedo | [a.θeˈβe.ðo] / [a.seˈve.ðo] | “Holly grove” |
| Blanco | [ˈblaŋ.ko] | “White” or fair-skinned |
| Castañeda | [kas.taˈɲe.ða] | “Chestnut grove” |
| Domínguez | [doˈmin.ɡeθ] | Son of Domingo |
| Escobar | [es.koˈβaɾ] | “Brushy area” |
| Gallego | [ɡaˈʝe.ɣo] | “From Galicia” |
| León | [leˈon] | “Lion” — often noble |
| Morales | [moˈɾa.les] | “Mulberry trees” |
13 Common Myths About Spanish Surnames Debunked
We’ve all heard quick assumptions, half-truths, and flat-out wrong takes about Spanish surnames. But when it comes to common Spanish surnames, the reality is usually more nuanced and way more interesting.
Let’s clear the air. Here are 13 of the most common myths about Spanish last names, fully debunked.
1. All ‑ez names are noble.
False. The ‑ez suffix just means “son of.” It was common across social classes; royals and blacksmiths alike.
2. Women in Spain take their husband’s surname.
Nope. In Spanish tradition, women keep their own surname for life, both legally and socially.
3. The second surname is the mother’s maiden name.
Not exactly. It’s the mother’s paternal surname, not her full maiden name.
4. Hyphenated names are traditional.
Hyphens are modern, mostly used in the U.S. or abroad for clarity. Spain doesn’t use them natively.
5. Spanish surnames always include both parents’ names.
Often, yes. But in informal use, many people drop the second surname or use only the father’s.
6. All common Spanish surnames are old.
Some, yes—but others gained traction recently, especially toponymic or descriptive names.
7. Accent marks don’t matter.
They do. López ≠ Lopez. Dropping the accent changes spelling, pronunciation, and sometimes legal identity.
8. A Spanish surname means you’re from Spain.
Not always. Many Latin Americans, Filipinos, and Afro-Caribbeans carry Spanish surnames due to colonization.
9. Every Spanish surname is either patronymic or occupational.
Plenty are toponymic (based on place) or descriptive (based on looks or traits).
10. Surnames can’t change.
They can. After a 2021 law, Spanish parents can now choose which surname comes first for their kids.
11. Short surnames like “Gil” or “Ruy” aren’t Spanish.
They are. Many are ancient Iberian names with roots in Visigothic or Latin.
12. You can always tell gender from a surname.
Nope. Spanish surnames are gender-neutral. They don’t change based on the bearer’s gender.
13. Common last names from Spain aren’t “special.”
Totally wrong. Even the most common names, like García or Fernández carry rich histories that go back centuries.
One Redditor put it perfectly:
“I used to think my name was basic. Then I learned it’s been in my family since the 1400s. Now it’s a badge.”
Because even the most Spanish surnames common to your ear may have a story you’ve never heard. Here are some really common last names from all around the world.
Wrap-Up
A Spanish last name ties you to people, places, and history. Whether you’re tracing roots or naming forward, your surname carries legacy. It speaks of strength, culture, and identity. Keep exploring. There’s always more behind the name.
