Spanish Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Looking for the meaning behind your Spanish last name? Or perhaps you're searching for a unique and meaningful name for your child? This comprehensive list of Spanish last names explores the origins and meanings behind some of the most common and interesting surnames in the Spanish language. From ancient roots to modern influences, this guide provides a detailed exploration of the rich history and cultural significance embedded within each name.
1. **Alvarez:** Meaning "son of Alvaro", a Germanic name meaning "wise elf".
2. **Alonso:** Meaning "son of Alfonso", a Germanic name meaning "noble and ready for battle".
3. **Acosta:** Meaning "from the coast", referring to someone who lived near the sea.
4. **Aguilar:** Meaning "eagle", a symbol of strength and power.
5. **Alegria:** Meaning "joy" or "happiness", reflecting a cheerful disposition.
6. **Alvarado:** Meaning "from the alders", referring to a place with alder trees.
7. **Andrade:** Meaning "from the land of Andrada", a place in Portugal.
8. **Angulo:** Meaning "angle" or "corner", referring to a geographical feature.
9. **Arroyo:** Meaning "stream" or "brook", referring to a body of water.
10. **Ayala:** Meaning "from the place of ayas", referring to a place where nurses or caregivers lived.
11. **Badillo:** Meaning "from the place of badils", referring to a type of farming tool.
12. **Barajas:** Meaning "from the place of barajas", referring to a place with barajas (a type of deck of cards).
13. **Barreto:** Meaning "from the place of barretos", referring to a place with a specific type of fruit.
14. **Benitez:** Meaning "son of Benito", a Spanish name meaning "blessed".
15. **Blanco:** Meaning "white", referring to someone with fair skin or hair.
16. **Borja:** Meaning "from Borja", a town in Spain.
17. **Cabrera:** Meaning "from the place of goats", referring to a place with goats.
18. **Calderon:** Meaning "cauldron", referring to a large pot used for cooking.
19. **Cardenas:** Meaning "from the place of cardenas", referring to a place with specific types of thorns.
20. **Carrillo:** Meaning "little cart", referring to a small wagon or cart.
21. **Castillo:** Meaning "castle", referring to a fortified structure.
22. **Castro:** Meaning "castle", referring to a fortified structure.
23. **Cervantes:** Meaning "from the place of deer", referring to a place with deer.
24. **Chavez:** Meaning "key", referring to someone who had a key or power.
25. **Cordoba:** Meaning "from Cordoba", a city in Spain.
26. **Coronado:** Meaning "crowned", referring to someone who had a crown or was royal.
27. **Cruz:** Meaning "cross", referring to a religious symbol.
28. **Diaz:** Meaning "son of Diego", a Spanish name meaning "rich".
29. **Dominguez:** Meaning "son of Domingo", a Spanish name meaning "Lord".
30. **Escobar:** Meaning "from the place of escobas", referring to a place with brooms.
31. **Espinoza:** Meaning "thorn", referring to a sharp, prickly plant.
32. **Fernandez:** Meaning "son of Fernando", a Germanic name meaning "brave traveler".
33. **Flores:** Meaning "flowers", referring to a beautiful and fragrant plant.
34. **Garcia:** Meaning "son of Garcias", a Basque name meaning "spearman".
35. **Gómez:** Meaning "son of Gumaro", a Germanic name meaning "famous warrior".
36. **Gonzalez:** Meaning "son of Gonzalo", a Germanic name meaning "warfare".
37. **Hernandez:** Meaning "son of Hernando", a Germanic name meaning "brave ruler".
38. **Herrera:** Meaning "ironworker", referring to someone who worked with iron.
39. **Jimenez:** Meaning "son of Jaime", a Spanish name meaning "supplanter".
40. **Jurado:** Meaning "sworn", referring to someone who was part of a jury or oath.
41. **Lara:** Meaning "from Lara", a place in Spain.
42. **Lopez:** Meaning "son of Lope", a Spanish name meaning "wolf".
43. **Martinez:** Meaning "son of Martin", a Latin name meaning "war god".
44. **Marquez:** Meaning "marquis", referring to a nobleman of high rank.
45. **Mendoza:** Meaning "from Mendoza", a place in Spain.
46. **Mendez:** Meaning "son of Menendo", a Germanic name meaning "strong protector".
47. **Miranda:** Meaning "to look at", referring to someone who had a good view.
48. **Montero:** Meaning "hunter", referring to someone who hunted animals.
49. **Moreno:** Meaning "dark-skinned", referring to someone with a tanned complexion.
50. **Morales:** Meaning "moral", referring to someone with good character.
51. **Munoz:** Meaning "son of Muño", a Spanish name meaning "monk".
52. **Navarro:** Meaning "from Navarre", a region in Spain.
53. **Nieves:** Meaning "snow", referring to someone who lived in a snowy region.
54. **Nunez:** Meaning "son of Nuño", a Germanic name meaning "strong protector".
55. **Ochoa:** Meaning "from Ochoa", a place in Spain.
56. **Olivera:** Meaning "olive tree", referring to a tree that produces olives.
57. **Ortega:** Meaning "bear", referring to a large, powerful animal.
58. **Ortiz:** Meaning "son of Ortiz", a Spanish name meaning "bear".
59. **Pacheco:** Meaning "from the place of pacas", referring to a place with specific types of bales.
60. **Padilla:** Meaning "from the place of padillas", referring to a place with specific types of fields.
61. **Palacios:** Meaning "palaces", referring to large, grand buildings.
62. **Perez:** Meaning "son of Pedro", a Spanish name meaning "stone".
63. **Pineda:** Meaning "pine tree", referring to a tree that produces pine cones.
64. **Pinzon:** Meaning "from the place of pinzones", referring to a place with specific types of finches.
65. **Quezada:** Meaning "from the place of quezadas", referring to a place with specific types of birds.
66. **Ramirez:** Meaning "son of Ramiro", a Germanic name meaning "famous counselor".
67. **Ramos:** Meaning "branches", referring to the branches of a tree.
68. **Reyes:** Meaning "kings", referring to royal individuals.
69. **Reyna:** Meaning "queen", referring to a female monarch.
70. **Rios:** Meaning "rivers", referring to bodies of water.
71. **Rodriguez:** Meaning "son of Rodrigo", a Germanic name meaning "famous ruler".
72. **Romero:** Meaning "pilgrim", referring to someone who traveled to a holy place.
73. **Rosales:** Meaning "rose bushes", referring to bushes with roses.
74. **Rubio:** Meaning "blond", referring to someone with light-colored hair.
75. **Ruiz:** Meaning "red", referring to someone with reddish hair or skin.
76. **Salazar:** Meaning "from the place of salazars", referring to a place with specific types of salt.
77. **Sanchez:** Meaning "son of Sancho", a Spanish name meaning "holy".
78. **Santamaria:** Meaning "holy Mary", referring to the Virgin Mary.
79. **Santiago:** Meaning "Saint James", referring to a religious figure.
80. **Sandoval:** Meaning "from the place of sand", referring to a place with sand.
81. **Silva:** Meaning "forest", referring to a place with trees.
82. **Soto:** Meaning "forest", referring to a place with trees.
83. **Suarez:** Meaning "son of Suarez", a Spanish name meaning "boar".
84. **Torres:** Meaning "towers", referring to tall, fortified structures.
85. **Valdez:** Meaning "from the valley", referring to a low-lying area between hills.
86. **Valdes:** Meaning "from the valley", referring to a low-lying area between hills.
87. **Valencia:** Meaning "from Valencia", a city in Spain.
88. **Vargas:** Meaning "from Vargas", a place in Spain.
89. **Vazquez:** Meaning "son of Vasco", a Spanish name meaning "Basque".
90. **Vega:** Meaning "meadow", referring to a grassy field.
91. **Velasquez:** Meaning "from the place of velas", referring to a place with specific types of sails.
92. **Velazquez:** Meaning "from the place of velas", referring to a place with specific types of sails.
93. **Vera:** Meaning "truth", referring to someone who was honest and truthful.
94. **Vicente:** Meaning "conqueror", referring to someone who was victorious.
95. **Villa:** Meaning "town", referring to a small settlement.
96. **Villanueva:** Meaning "new town", referring to a recently established town.
97. **Villarreal:** Meaning "royal town", referring to a town with a royal presence.
98. **Villegas:** Meaning "town of the willows", referring to a town with willow trees.
99. **Zapata:** Meaning "shoe", referring to a type of footwear.
100. **Zaragoza:** Meaning "from Zaragoza", a city in Spain.