Puerto Rican Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Discover the rich tapestry of Puerto Rican last names, each carrying a unique history and cultural significance. From Spanish origins to indigenous influences, this guide explores the meaning and etymology of common Puerto Rican surnames, offering insights into the island's fascinating heritage.
1. **Acosta:** Means "he who comes from the oak grove." It originated from a place name in Spain and is a common surname throughout the Hispanic world.
2. **Alvarado:** Derived from the Spanish word "albarada," meaning "a fortified wall" or "a rampart."
3. **Alvarado:** Means "from the white hill."
4. **Alvarez:** Means "son of Alvaro," a popular given name of Germanic origin.
5. **Andino:** Means "from the Andes Mountains," a surname primarily found in South America.
6. **Angueira:** Derived from the Portuguese word "an gueira," meaning "a drinking vessel."
7. **Aponte:** Means "from the bridge."
8. **Arroyo:** Means "stream" or "brook," reflecting the island's abundant waterways.
9. **Baez:** Derived from the Basque word "bai," meaning "yes," and is a surname common in both Spain and the Americas.
10. **Barreto:** Means "from the bar," referring to a small, elevated place.
11. **Bautista:** Means "baptized," a surname with strong religious connotations.
12. **Benitez:** Means "son of Benito," a given name of Latin origin meaning "blessed."
13. **Berrios:** A surname of Basque origin, possibly meaning "from the berry tree."
14. **Berríos:** A surname of Spanish origin, meaning "from the small mountain."
15. **Cabrera:** Means "from the goat," possibly referring to a place where goats were raised.
16. **Calderón:** Means "cauldron," a surname that may have been used by blacksmiths or potters.
17. **Camacho:** Means "from the field," possibly referring to a place where crops were grown.
18. **Campos:** Means "fields," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
19. **Canales:** Means "canals," a surname found in areas with extensive irrigation systems.
20. **Cancel:** Means "from the gate," possibly referring to a place where a gate was located.
21. **Cardona:** Means "from the hinge," likely a surname adopted by people who worked with doors or gates.
22. **Carrasquillo:** Means "from the oak grove," a surname common in areas where oak trees were abundant.
23. **Castillo:** Means "castle," a surname adopted by people who lived near or worked in a castle.
24. **Castro:** Means "from the castle," a surname common in Spain and the Americas.
25. **Colon:** Means "dove," a surname found in both Spain and the Americas.
26. **Correa:** Means "leather strap," a surname possibly referring to a person who worked with leather.
27. **Cruz:** Means "cross," a surname with strong religious connotations.
28. **Diaz:** Means "son of Diego," a given name of Spanish origin.
29. **Espada:** Means "sword," a surname possibly used by soldiers or warriors.
30. **Fernandez:** Means "son of Fernando," a given name of Germanic origin meaning "brave peace."
31. **Figueroa:** Means "from the fig tree," a surname common in areas where fig trees were grown.
32. **Flores:** Means "flowers," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
33. **Fontanez:** Means "from the fountain," a surname possibly adopted by people who lived near a fountain.
34. **Garcia:** Means "son of Garcia," a given name of Germanic origin meaning "spear ruler."
35. **Gonzalez:** Means "son of Gonzalo," a given name of Germanic origin meaning "warriors' victory."
36. **Gómez:** Means "son of Gummar," a given name of Germanic origin meaning "brave protector."
37. **Hernandez:** Means "son of Hernando," a given name of Germanic origin meaning "brave lord."
38. **Jimenez:** Means "son of Jaime," a given name of Germanic origin meaning "supplanter."
39. **Jiménez:** Means "son of James," a surname with religious connotations.
40. **Lajara:** Means "from the quarry," possibly referring to a place where stone was extracted.
41. **Lamboy:** Means "from the lamb," a surname possibly adopted by people who raised sheep.
42. **Lopez:** Means "son of Lope," a given name of Germanic origin meaning "wolf."
43. **Lugo:** Means "from Lugo," a city in northwestern Spain.
44. **Maldonado:** Means "ill-behaved" or "mischievous," a surname with a somewhat ironic meaning.
45. **Marquez:** Means "from the border," a surname possibly adopted by people who lived near a border.
46. **Martinez:** Means "son of Martin," a given name of Latin origin meaning "warlike."
47. **Mateo:** Means "gift of God," a surname with strong religious connotations.
48. **Medina:** Means "from the city," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
49. **Melendez:** Means "from the honey," possibly referring to a place where honey was produced.
50. **Mendez:** Means "son of Menendo," a given name of Germanic origin meaning "protector of men."
51. **Mercado:** Means "market," a surname possibly adopted by people who worked in a market.
52. **Miranda:** Means "from the place of the world," a surname common in Spain and the Americas.
53. **Montero:** Means "hunter," a surname possibly adopted by people who hunted for a living.
54. **Mora:** Means "blackberry," a surname common in areas where blackberries were abundant.
55. **Moreno:** Means "dark-skinned," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
56. **Munoz:** Means "son of Muno," a given name of Basque origin meaning "protector."
57. **Nieves:** Means "snow," a surname common in mountainous areas.
58. **Nunez:** Means "son of Nuno," a given name of Germanic origin meaning "bold."
59. **Ocasio:** Means "from the occasion," possibly referring to a specific event or time period.
60. **Ortiz:** Means "son of Ort," a given name of Germanic origin meaning "bright."
61. **Pagan:** Means "from the countryside," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
62. **Pacheco:** Means "from the little place," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
63. **Padilla:** Means "small paddle," a surname possibly referring to a place where small paddles were used.
64. **Palacios:** Means "palaces," a surname common in areas where palaces were located.
65. **Perez:** Means "son of Pedro," a given name of Greek origin meaning "stone."
66. **Pimentel:** Means "small hill," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
67. **Pina:** Means "pine," a surname common in areas where pine trees were abundant.
68. **Polanco:** Means "from the plain," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
69. **Ramos:** Means "branches," a surname common in areas where trees were abundant.
70. **Reyes:** Means "kings," a surname with strong religious connotations.
71. **Rivera:** Means "river bank," a surname common in areas near rivers.
72. **Rodriguez:** Means "son of Rodrigo," a given name of Germanic origin meaning "famous power."
73. **Roman:** Means "from Rome," a surname common in areas with Roman influence.
74. **Rosario:** Means "rosary," a surname with strong religious connotations.
75. **Rios:** Means "rivers," a surname common in areas with extensive waterways.
76. **Rivera:** Means "river bank," a surname common in areas near rivers.
77. **Robles:** Means "oaks," a surname common in areas where oak trees were abundant.
78. **Rodriguez:** Means "son of Rodrigo," a given name of Germanic origin meaning "famous power."
79. **Rojo:** Means "red," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
80. **Rosa:** Means "rose," a surname common in areas where roses were abundant.
81. **Ruiz:** Means "red," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
82. **Salas:** Means "halls" or "rooms," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
83. **Sanchez:** Means "son of Sancho," a given name of Germanic origin meaning "protector."
84. **Santiago:** Means "Saint James," a surname with strong religious connotations.
85. **Santos:** Means "saints," a surname with strong religious connotations.
86. **Seda:** Means "silk," a surname possibly referring to a person who worked with silk.
87. **Serrano:** Means "from the mountains," a surname common in mountainous areas.
88. **Silva:** Means "forest," a surname common in areas with extensive forests.
89. **Soto:** Means "underwood," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
90. **Suarez:** Means "son of Suarez," a given name of Germanic origin meaning "strong lord."
91. **Torres:** Means "towers," a surname common in areas with towers or castles.
92. **Valdez:** Means "from the valley," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
93. **Valdes:** Means "from the valley," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
94. **Valle:** Means "valley," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
95. **Vargas:** Means "from the marsh," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
96. **Vasquez:** Means "son of Vasco," a given name of Germanic origin meaning "strong warrior."
97. **Vega:** Means "meadow," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
98. **Velasquez:** Means "from the veil," a surname possibly referring to a person who worked with veils.
99. **Velez:** Means "from the little town," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
100. **Viera:** Means "from the vineyard," a surname common in areas where vineyards were abundant.
101. **Villa:** Means "village," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
102. **Villanueva:** Means "new town," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
103. **Villegas:** Means "from the town," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
104. **Viruet:** Means "from the green path," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
105. **Vizcarrondo:** Means "from the red mountain," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
106. **Yanez:** Means "son of Juan," a given name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious."
107. **Zayas:** Means "from the willow tree," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.
108. **Zepeda:** Means "from the shepherd," a surname common in many Hispanic cultures.