Latino Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Common Surnames and Their Meanings

Looking for a deeper understanding of common Latino last names? This comprehensive guide provides a list of over 40 popular surnames, exploring their origins and rich meanings. Whether you're researching your family history, seeking inspiration for a character in your story, or simply curious about the cultural significance of these names, this resource has you covered.
1. **Alvarez:** "Son of Alvaro," a Germanic name meaning "wise elf."
2. **Acosta:** "One who lives near a hill or grove."
3. **Aguilar:** "One who lives near an eagle."
4. **Arias:** "Of noble lineage."
5. **Arroyo:** "Stream, brook, or small river."
6. **Barrios:** "Neighborhoods, districts, or suburbs."
7. **Bautista:** "Baptist, one who baptizes."
8. **Beltran:** "Bright raven."
9. **Benitez:** "Son of Benito," a name of Latin origin meaning "blessed."
10. **Cabrera:** "One who lives near a goat."
11. **Calderon:** "One who lives near a cauldron."
12. **Camacho:** "One who lives near a straw hut."
13. **Campos:** "Fields, plains, or meadows."
14. **Cardenas:** "One who lives near a hinge."
15. **Carrillo:** "One who lives near a cart or wagon."
16. **Castillo:** "Castle or fortress."
17. **Cervantes:** "One who lives near a deer."
18. **Chavez:** "One who lives near a key."
19. **Cisneros:** "One who lives near a cypress tree."
20. **Colon:** "Pigeon."
21. **Cordova:** "One who lives near a hill of stones."
22. **Cortez:** "Courteous, polite."
23. **Cruz:** "Cross."
24. **Diaz:** "Son of Diego," a Spanish name meaning "rich" or "well-off."
25. **Dominguez:** "Son of Domingo," a Spanish name meaning "Sunday."
26. **Espinoza:** "One who lives near a thorn bush."
27. **Flores:** "Flowers."
28. **Garcia:** "Son of Garcia," a Germanic name meaning "spear warrior."
29. **Garza:** "Heron."
30. **Gonzalez:** "Son of Gonzalo," a Spanish name meaning "brave in war."
31. **Gutierrez:** "Son of Gutierrez," a Germanic name meaning "God's strength."
32. **Hernandez:** "Son of Hernando," a Germanic name meaning "ruler of the army."
33. **Herrera:** "Blacksmith, ironworker."
34. **Jimenez:** "Son of Jaime," a Spanish name meaning "supplanter."
35. **Lopez:** "Son of Lope," a Spanish name meaning "wolf."
36. **Martinez:** "Son of Martin," a Latin name meaning "warlike."
37. **Mendez:** "Son of Menendo," a Germanic name meaning "protector."
38. **Miranda:** "One who is to be admired."
39. **Montero:** "One who hunts wild animals."
40. **Moreno:** "Dark-skinned, brunette."
41. **Morales:** "Customs, manners, morals."
42. **Munoz:** "Son of Muno," a Spanish name meaning "monk."
43. **Nava:** "Plain, meadow."
44. **Nunez:** "Son of Nuno," a Spanish name meaning "ninth."
45. **Ochoa:** "One who lives near an eight."
46. **Ortega:** "One who lives near a bear."
47. **Pacheco:** "One who lives near a peace tree."
48. **Padilla:** "One who lives near a meadow."
49. **Perez:** "Son of Pedro," a Spanish name meaning "rock."
50. **Ramirez:** "Son of Ramiro," a Germanic name meaning "famous counselor."
51. **Reyes:** "Kings."
52. **Rodriguez:** "Son of Rodrigo," a Germanic name meaning "famous ruler."
53. **Romero:** "Pilgrim, traveler."
54. **Rosales:** "Rose bushes."
55. **Ruiz:** "Red-haired."
56. **Salazar:** "One who lives near a salt marsh."
57. **Sanchez:** "Son of Sancho," a Spanish name meaning "holy."
58. **Santiago:** "Saint James."
59. **Santos:** "Saints."
60. **Sandoval:** "One who lives near a sand hill."
61. **Silva:** "Woods, forest."
62. **Torres:** "Towers."
63. **Valdez:** "Son of Valdes," a Spanish name meaning "strong valley."
64. **Valenzuela:** "One who lives near a strong valley."
65. **Vargas:** "Gardens, orchards."
66. **Vasquez:** "Son of Vasco," a Spanish name meaning "strong."
67. **Vega:** "Plain, meadow."
68. **Velasquez:** "One who lives near a veil."
69. **Vera:** "True, real."
70. **Vidal:** "Life, living."
71. **Villa:** "Town, village."
72. **Villanueva:** "New town, new village."
73. **Villegas:** "One who lives near a stream."
74. **Zapata:** "Shoemaker."
75. **Zuniga:** "One who lives near a blackbird."