Spanish last names have an air of old-World dignity and contemporary flair that mirrors Spanish culture. Spain is a land of amazing food and interesting people, and their surnames inspire similar awe and interest. Here, we’ve curated lists of some of the most commonly used Spanish last names and have sorted surnames by topic as a more direct resource.
What are Spanish Last Names?
Spanish last names carry the complex history of the Iberian Peninsula and the cultures that helped form Spanish identity over the years. Spanish surnames are commonly hyphenated, so last names in Spain give a good insight into genealogy. Major themes found in Spanish surnames are geographic locations, patronyms, and occupations. Common Spanish-American last names include Garcia, Rodriguez, Martinez, Hernandez, and Lopez. Unique Spanish-American last names include Cruz, Silva, Santos, Vega, and Ventura.
One of the most remarkable qualities of Spanish surnames is how they sound when spoke, as the Spanish language is a Romance Language, meaning it is in a family of languages branching out from Latin. Many Spanish words have Latin origins and connections, reflected in surnames from Latin words. Other local languages and dialects, like Castilian and Basque, are also reflected in Spanish surnames. Garcia is a popular surname and is of Basque origin, and Lopez comes from a Latin word. Religion has dramatically impacted Spanish history, and Catholic themes and figures inspire many Spanish last names. This page comprehensively lists common Spanish last names and curated lists of surnames by theme.
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Top 100 Spanish Last Names
Here, we present our list of the most common Spanish last names and meanings, the perfect start to learning about this unique culture. Common Spanish last names often originate from historical, occupational, and geographic name, and patronyms, which indicate a person’s father’s name.
- Garcia – Son of Garcia
- Rodriguez – Son of Rodrigo
- Gonzalez – Son of Gonzalo
- Fernandez – Son of Fernando
- Lopez – Son of Lope
- Martinez – Son of Martin
- Sanchez – Son of Sancho
- Perez – Son of Pedro
- Gomez – Son of Gomez
- Martin – Son of Martin
- Jimenez – Son of Jimeno
- Ruiz – Son of Ruy
- Hernandez – Son of Hernando
- Diaz – Son of Diego
- Moreno – Dark-skinned
- Muñoz – Son of Munio
- Alvarez – Son of Alvaro
- Romero – Pilgrim to Rome
- Alonso – Noble and Ready
- Gutierrez – Son of Gutierre
- Navarro – From Navarre
- Torres – Towers
- Dominguez – Son of Domingo
- Ramos – Branches
- Vazquez – Son of Vazco
- Gil – Pledge, Security
- Ramirez – Son of Ramiro
- Serrano – From the Mountains
- Blanco – White
- Molina – Millstone
- Morales – Mulberry Tree
- Suarez – Son of Suero
- Ortega – Nettle
- Delgado – Slim
- Castro – Castle
- Ortiz – Son of Ortun
- Rubio – Blond
- Marin – Sailor
- Sanz – Holy
- Iglesias – Churches
- Medina – Town
- Nuñez – Son of Nuno
- Garrido – Watchful
- Castillo – Castle
- Cortes – Courteous
- Lozano – Smooth
- Guerrero – Warrior
- Santos – Saints
- Cano – White
- Prieto – Dark
- Cruz – Cross
- Mendez – Son of Mendo
- Calvo – Bald
- Vidal – Life
- Gallego – Galician
- Herrera – Blacksmith
- Cabrera – Goatherd
- Flores – Flowers
- Peña – Rock
- Leon – Lion
- Marquez – Marquis
- Campos – Fields
- Vega – Meadow
- Fuentes – Fountains
- Carrasco – Thicket
- Diez – Tenth
- Reyes – Kings
- Caballero – Gentleman, Knight
- Nieto – Grandson
- Pascual – Easter
- Aguilar – Eagle
- Santana – Holy Ann
- Herrero – Blacksmith
- Ferrer – Blacksmith
- Lorenzo – Lawrence
- Gimenez – Son of Gimeno
- Hidalgo – Noble
- Montero – Hunter
- Ibañez – Son of Juan
- Santiago – Santiago, Saint James
- Mora – Mulberry Tree
- Vicente – Vincent
- Vargas – Fences
- Arias – Son of Arias
- Duran – Enduring
- Benitez – Son of Benito
- Carmona – From Carmona
- Crespo – Curly
- Pastor – Shepherd
- Soto – Grove
- Soler – Sunny
- Roman – Roman
- Velasco – Crow
- Saez – Son of Sae
- Moya – From Moya
- Parra – Vine
- Esteban – Stephen
- Bravo – Brave
- Rojas – Red
- Gallardo – Brave or spirited
Unique Spanish Last Names
Many of this list’s unique Spanish last names have nontraditional backgrounds and meanings. Many of these Spanish last names can be traced back to specific regions or localities in Spain
- Acosta – From the coast
- Aguirre – The one who lives by the water
- Alvarado – From Alvaro
- Barrera – Barrier or fence
- Barrios – Neighborhoods
- Bautista – Baptist
- Belmonte – Beautiful mountain
- Cabello – Hair
- Calderon – Cauldron
- Camacho – Crooked nose
- Cardenas – Worthy
- Carrera – Career or race
- Carrillo – Little cart
- Castañeda – Chestnut grove
- Cazorla – From Cazorla
- Chavez – Falconer
- Contreras – Opposite shores
- Cordero – Lamb
- Cueva – Cave
- Escobar – Thicket
- Espinosa – Thorny
- Estrada – Road or street
- Figueroa – Fig tree
- Franco – Free
- Galán – Gallant or handsome
- Galvan – Young warrior
- Gonzales – Son of Gonzalo
- Gonzalo – Battle-ready
- Guerra – War
- Guzman – Good man
- Juarez – Son of Juana
- Jurado – Sworn
- Lucas – From Luke
- Luna – Moon
- Macias – Son of Mácia
- Maldonado – Badly given or granted
- Mejia – Best
- Mendoza – Cold mountain
- Montes – Mountains
- Montoya – Thicket hill
- Moran – Moraine or marsh
- Naranjo – Orange tree
- Ochoa – Eighth
- Orozco – From Orozco
- Pacheco – Peaceful
- Padilla – Shield
- Palma – Palm tree
- Pardo – Brown
- Paredes – Walls
- Pineda – Pine forest
- Ponce – Five
- Reina – Queen
- Ríos – Rivers
- Rivas – Riverbanks
- Rivera – Riverbank
- Robles – Oaks
- Rocha – Rocky
- Rosales – Rose bushes
- Rueda – Wheel
- Saavedra – Savior
- Salas – Halls or rooms
- Salazar – Old hall
- Salinas – Salt flats
- Sandoval – Sandy valley
- Sierra – Mountain range
- Silva – Woods or forest
- Solis – Sun
- Sosa – Reed bed
- Trujillo – From Trujillo
- Valencia – Valiant
- Valenzuela – Fertile valley
- Vasquez – Son of Vasco
- Velazquez – Son of Velasco
- Velez – Son of Vela
- Vera – Truth
- Villa – Town or village
- Villanueva – New town
- Zamora – From Zamora
- Zaragoza – From Zaragoza
Cute Spanish Last Names
This list of cute Spanish last names shows that this romantic language can be adorable. These Spanish last names feature endearing or charming meanings and reflect affectionate sentiments.
- Alba – Dawn
- Alegre – Happy
- Amaya – Basque toponymic name
- Barcelo – From Barcelona
- Bello – Beautiful
- Bonet – Good
- Bonilla – Nice
- Bueno – Good
- Campillo – Little Field
- Casanova – New House
- Chaves – Keys
- Collado – Hillside
- Corral – Corral
- de La Rosa – Of the Rose
- de Leon – Of Leon
- del Campo – Of the Field
- Domingo – Sunday
- Falcon – Falcon
- Felipe – Philip
- Fuertes – Strong
- Gracia – Grace
- Hervas – Plentiful Harvest
- Jara – Rockrose
- Laguna – Lagoon
- Leiva – From Leiva
- Llamas – Flames
- Maestre – Master
- Manzano – Apple Tree
- Mari – Basque toponymic name
- Marti – From Martin
- Maya – Basque toponymic name
- Mayor – Greater
- Merino – Royal Official
- Mesa – Table
- Miguel – Michael
- Mira – Look
- Miro – Look
- Moreira – Dark-skinned
- Nicolas – Nicholas
- Palacios – Palaces
- Palomino – Dove-colored
- Pazos – Country Houses
- Prada – Meadow
- Real – Royal
- Rey – King
- Rivero – Riverbank
- Rojo – Red
- Rosa – Rose
- San Martin – Saint Martin
- Santamaria – Saint Mary
- Serra – Mountain Range
- Sevilla – Seville
- Souto – Grove
- Valero – Valiant
- Valle – Valley
- Villegas – Towns
Pretty Spanish Last Names
This list of pretty Spanish last names reflects the beauty of Spanish coasts and castles. These surnames often incorporate elegant and pleasing elements in their meanings, with a sense of beauty and grace.
- Amoros – Loving
- Ariza – Name of a Town
- Armas – Arms
- Barea – Barren Land
- Barranco – Ravine
- Barrero – Clay Worker
- Bejarano – From Bejar
- Berenguer – Bear-spear
- Borja – Thicket
- Borras – Sons of Borra
- Cabeza – Head
- Calle – Street
- Calleja – Small Street
- Carreño – Dear
- Catalan – Catalan
- Cerezo – Cherry Tree
- Cuesta – Slope
- da Silva – Of Silva
- del Castillo – Of the Castle
- del Olmo – Of the Elm
- del Pino – Of the Pine
- dos Santos – Of the Saints
- Escudero – Squire
- Ferrero – Blacksmith
- Garces – Son of Garcia
- Heras – Stones
- Huertas – Orchards
- Llorens – Laurels
- Lucena – Bright
- Luengo – Long
- Luque – From Luque
- Marques – Marquis
- Melero – Apple Tree
- Mellado – Toothless
- Montesinos – Little Mountains
- Montoro – Golden Mountain
- Mosquera – Mosquito Keeper
- Moyano – Dark
- Pallares – Fields
- Palomares – Dovecotes
- Palomo – Dove
- Piñero – Pine Tree
- Plaza – Square
- Prados – Meadows
- Puertas – Doors
- Rebollo – Wild Pear Tree
- Redondo – Round
- Ribera – Riverside
- Romera – Pilgrim
- Sainz – Saints
- Tejero – Roofer
- Tortosa – From Tortosa
- Valera – Valiant
- Valiente – Brave
- Veiga – Meadow
- Vilar – Town
- Villar – Town
- Villaverde – Green Village
- Vives – Lively
Cool Spanish Last Names
This list of cool Spanish last names is perfect for someone looking for a more Old-World cool factor. These Spanish surnames often exude uniqueness and charisma, making them stand out.
- Alcaraz – Place name in Spain
- Ballesteros – Bailiffs
- Barba – Beard
- Barbero – Barber
- Bellido – Beautiful
- Benito – Blessed
- Blasco – Woolly
- Cabezas – Heads
- Calero – Cool
- Camara – Chamber
- Campo – Field
- Cantero – Quarryman
- Carbonell – Little Coal
- Caro – Expensive
- Carreras – Races
- Carretero – Wagoner
- Castellano – Castilian
- Castello – Castle
- Castilla – Land of Castles
- Cervera – Fertile Land
- Cordoba – From Cordoba
- Corrales – Corrals
- De La Cruz – Of the Cross
- de Miguel – Of Michael
- Del Rio – Of the River
- del Valle – Of the Valley
- Diego – James
- Estevez – Stephen
- Exposito – Exposed
- Ferreiro – Blacksmith
- Gascon – Gascon
- Grande – Big
- Haro – Place name in Spain
- Lago – Lake
- Latorre – Tower
- Lazaro – Lazarus
- Manso – Gentle
- Marco – Mark
- Marcos – Mark
- Mateo – Matthew
- Mateos – Matthew
- Millan – Milan
- Morillo – Little Moor
- Mota – Hill
- Padron – Registers
- Piñeiro – Pine Tree
- Pino – Pine
- Pizarro – Land of Birds
- Riera – Riverbank
- Roca – Rock
- Salvador – Savior
- Sancho – Saint James
- Sanjuan – Saint John
- Sarmiento – Grapes
- Tello – Little Hill
- Tirado – Thrown
- Toro – Bull
- Urbano – Urban
- Valles – Valleys
- Vaquero – Cowboy
- Ventura – Good Luck
Rare Spanish Last Names
Our list of rare Spanish last names showcases Spain’s hidden history and languages. These surnames have been passed down through generations across Spanish history.
- Afonso – Noble and ready
- Aguilera – Falconer
- Alcantara – From Alcántara
- Alfaro – From Alfaro
- Alfonso – Noble and ready
- Baez – Son of Baeza
- Becerra – Shepherd
- Bermudez – Son of Bermudo
- Bernal – Brave bear
- Blazquez – Son of Blas
- Borrego – Lamb
- Cardona – From Cardona
- Castellanos – From Castile
- Chacon – From Chacón
- Correa – Leather strap
- Costa – Coast
- Cuevas – Caves
- Davila – From Ávila
- de Castro – Of Castro
- De La Fuente – Of the fountain
- De La Torre – Of the tower
- Duarte – Wealthy guardian
- Enriquez – Son of Enrique
- Ferreira – Blacksmith
- Galindo – Gentle and noble
- Granados – Pomegranate trees
- Guillen – Descendant of Guillen
- Huerta – Orchard
- Hurtado – Wounded
- Leal – Loyal
- Madrid – From Madrid
- Mata – Killed or defeated
- Medrano – Place of thorns
- Moro – Moor
- Muñiz – Son of Muño
- Orellana – From Orellana
- Osorio – Descendant of Osorio
- Peralta – High pear tree
- Pereira – Pear tree
- Portillo – Small port
- Quintana – Fifth child
- Quintero – Place of vines
- Rico – Rich
- Rosado – Rosy or pink
- Saenz – Descendant of Sancho
- Salgado – Salty
- Salmeron – Descendant of Sancho
- Segura – Secure or safe
- Soriano – Sorian, from Soria
- Varela – From Varela
- Zafra – Harvest
- Zapata – Shoemaker
Uncommon Spanish Last Names
These Spanish last names are uncommon and can be distinctive to particular families. Many carry unique meanings, reflecting various historical, geographical, or occupational origins.
- Abril – April
- Alvaro – From Alvaro
- Amador – Lover or admirer
- Aragon – From Aragón
- Aviles – From Avilés
- Barragan – Variant of Barragán
- Batista – Baptist
- Brito – Breton
- Burgos – From Burgos
- Bustamante – Tall mountain
- Canales – Canals
- Casado – Married
- Casas – Houses
- Cerda – Hog or boar
- Dieguez – Son of Diego
- Galvez – Descendant of Galvo
- Gamez – Son of Gama
- Heredia – Place of herbs
- Ledesma – Wide, open field
- Linares – From Linares
- Machado – Descendant of Machado
- Maroto – Brave
- Marrero – Blacksmith
- Mena – Small
- Moron – Fool
- Navarrete – Small plain
- Nogales – Walnut trees
- Ojeda – Parting or leaving
- Oliva – Olive
- Olivares – Olive groves
- Ordoñez – Descendant of Ordoño
- Otero – Heath or moorland
- Patiño – From Patiño
- Paz – Peace
- Pedrosa – Stony ground
- Pinto – Painted
- Prado – Meadow
- Pulido – Polished
- Salcedo – Willow grove
- Sampedro – Saint Peter
- Segarra – Dry or barren land
- Serna – Sern, from Soria
- Solano – Sunny
- Toledo – From Toledo
- Valdes – From Valdés
- Vallejo – Small valley
- Vela – Sail
- Villena – From Villena
- Yañez – Son of Juan
- Zambrano – Place of brambles
More Lists:
- Spanish First Names
- Hispanic Last Names
- Mexican Last Names
- Colombian Last Names
- Italian Last Names
- German Last Names
- French Last Names
- → See all Last Names by Nationality ~ Start Here
Famous People with Spanish Last Names
Rafael Nadal is an athlete once ranked as the best tennis player in the world. Born in Spain in 1986, he has a lengthy list of championship tennis awards he has accumulated throughout his career, including 22 Grand Slams and two Olympic Gold Medals. Nadal originates from the Latin word’ natalis,’ which means ‘birthday.’
Penélope Cruz is recognized around the world for her acting and modeling career. She has performed in movies such as Volver and Nine, which earned her Golden Globe nominations. Cruz is a Spanish last name that means ‘cross,’ referring to the Biblical crucifixion.
Pablo Picasso is one of history’s most influential artists. He was born in Spain in 1881 and was a painter, sculptor, and theater designer who co-founded the modern Cubist art form. The last name, Picasso, comes from his maternal line and is likely a nickname from Ligurian, an ancient Genoa language that means ‘pickaxe.’
Antonio Banderas is the stage name for Spanish actor and singer José Antonio Domínguez Bandera. He was born in 1960 and has acted in different genres, from dramatic films to children’s movies. The surname Banderas comes from the word’ bandera,’ which means ‘flag-bearer.’
Francisco Goya is an icon of Spanish painting. Born in Spain in 1746, his paintings and engravings have become synonymous with Spanish romanticism art styles. The surname Goya has two origins: one is of Basque origin, stemming from the word ‘goia,’ which means ‘upper part,’ or from a Galician geographic name for a place in Lugo Province.
References
Information from the Spanish Statistics National Institute which collects, analyses, and publishes information on Spanish last names was used to collect this data. If you want to learn more about Spanish surnames in America, you will find an article here on Spanish last names.
