Last Names in Puerto Rico: A Comprehensive Guide

Puerto Rico, a vibrant island with a rich history and culture, has a diverse population reflected in its last names. Exploring these surnames reveals the island's fascinating genealogical tapestry, influenced by Spanish, African, Indigenous Taíno, and other cultural contributions. This article provides a comprehensive list of common last names in Puerto Rico, delving into their origins and meanings, offering valuable insights into the island's heritage.
1. **Alvarez:** This name is a Spanish variant of the Germanic name "Alfric," meaning "wise elf" or "elf counsel."

2. **Acosta:** A patronymic surname derived from the Basque word "akosta," meaning "point" or "peak."

3. **Aguilar:** This name comes from the Spanish word for "eagle," symbolizing strength and nobility.

4. **Almodovar:** A place name of Arabic origin, meaning "the place of the almond trees."

5. **Alvarado:** Derived from the Spanish word for "albard," a saddle made of straw or felt.

6. **Anderson:** A Scottish surname meaning "son of Andrew."

7. **Andujar:** A place name of Arabic origin, meaning "the place of the fig tree."

8. **Angulo:** A Spanish surname meaning "angle" or "corner."

9. **Aponte:** A patronymic surname derived from the Spanish word "apunta," meaning "to point."

10. **Arroyo:** A Spanish surname meaning "stream" or "brook."

11. **Ayala:** A Spanish surname of Arabic origin, meaning "place of the spring" or "place of water."

12. **Baez:** A Spanish surname of Arabic origin, meaning "falcon."

13. **Barreto:** A Portuguese surname of Germanic origin, meaning "bear skin."

14. **Bautista:** A Spanish surname meaning "baptist."

15. **Beltran:** A Spanish surname meaning "bright" or "shining."

16. **Benitez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Benito," a Latin name meaning "blessed."

17. **Berrios:** A Spanish surname meaning "small berry."

18. **Blanco:** A Spanish surname meaning "white."

19. **Bonilla:** A Spanish surname meaning "small hill."

20. **Cabrera:** A Spanish surname of Arabic origin, meaning "mountain goat."

21. **Calderon:** A Spanish surname meaning "cauldron."

22. **Camacho:** A Spanish surname meaning "bed" or "couch."

23. **Campos:** A Spanish surname meaning "fields."

24. **Canales:** A Spanish surname meaning "channels."

25. **Cancel:** A Spanish surname meaning "gate" or "door."

26. **Caraballo:** A Spanish surname meaning "wild bull."

27. **Carrasquillo:** A Spanish surname meaning "oak grove."

28. **Casillas:** A Spanish surname meaning "houses."

29. **Castro:** A Spanish surname meaning "castle."

30. **Cervantes:** A Spanish surname meaning "deer hunter."

31. **Colon:** A Spanish surname meaning "dove."

32. **Cordero:** A Spanish surname meaning "lamb."

33. **Correa:** A Spanish surname meaning "leather strap."

34. **Crespo:** A Spanish surname meaning "curly hair."

35. **Cruz:** A Spanish surname meaning "cross."

36. **Diaz:** A Spanish surname meaning "day."

37. **Dominguez:** A Spanish surname meaning "house of Domingo," a Latin name meaning "Lord."

38. **Espada:** A Spanish surname meaning "sword."

39. **Fernandez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Fernando," a Germanic name meaning "peaceful journey."

40. **Figueroa:** A Spanish surname meaning "fig tree."

41. **Flores:** A Spanish surname meaning "flowers."

42. **Fontanez:** A Spanish surname meaning "fountain."

43. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Garcia," a Germanic name meaning "spearman."

44. **Garza:** A Spanish surname meaning "heron."

45. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Gonzalo," a Germanic name meaning "battle strong."

46. **Gomez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Gomez," a Germanic name meaning "strong guest."

47. **Gomes:** A Portuguese surname of Germanic origin, meaning "strong guest."

48. **Guzman:** A Spanish surname of Arabic origin, meaning "leader of the tribe."

49. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Hernando," a Germanic name meaning "strong and brave."

50. **Jimenez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Jaime," a Spanish name meaning "supplanter."

51. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Lope," a Spanish name meaning "wolf."

52. **Lugo:** A Spanish surname meaning "place of wolves."

53. **Manzanilla:** A Spanish surname meaning "small apple."

54. **Marquez:** A Spanish surname meaning "marquis" or "lord."

55. **Martinez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Martin," a Latin name meaning "war god."

56. **Mendez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Menendez," a Spanish name meaning "leader."

57. **Mercado:** A Spanish surname meaning "market."

58. **Miranda:** A Spanish surname meaning "to look."

59. **Montero:** A Spanish surname meaning "hunter."

60. **Mora:** A Spanish surname meaning "mulberry."

61. **Moreno:** A Spanish surname meaning "dark skinned."

62. **Munoz:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Muñoz," a Spanish name meaning "monk."

63. **Nava:** A Spanish surname meaning "ship."

64. **Nieves:** A Spanish surname meaning "snow."

65. **Nunez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Nuño," a Spanish name meaning "ninth."

66. **Ocasio:** A Spanish surname meaning "occasion."

67. **Olivera:** A Spanish surname meaning "olive tree."

68. **Ortiz:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Ortiz," a Spanish name meaning "bear."

69. **Pagan:** A Spanish surname meaning "pagan."

70. **Pantoja:** A Spanish surname meaning "bread maker."

71. **Perez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Pedro," a Spanish name meaning "stone."

72. **Pina:** A Spanish surname meaning "pine."

73. **Quinones:** A Spanish surname meaning "sons of Quino," a Spanish name meaning "fifth."

74. **Ramirez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Ramiro," a Germanic name meaning "great and powerful."

75. **Ramos:** A Spanish surname meaning "branches."

76. **Reyes:** A Spanish surname meaning "kings."

77. **Rivera:** A Spanish surname meaning "river."

78. **Rodriguez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Rodrigo," a Germanic name meaning "famous ruler."

79. **Roman:** A Spanish surname meaning "Roman."

80. **Rosario:** A Spanish surname meaning "rosary."

81. **Ruiz:** A Spanish surname meaning "red."

82. **Salazar:** A Spanish surname meaning "salt cellar."

83. **Sanchez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Sancho," a Spanish name meaning "holy."

84. **Santiago:** A Spanish surname meaning "Saint James."

85. **Santos:** A Spanish surname meaning "saints."

86. **Silva:** A Spanish surname meaning "forest."

87. **Torres:** A Spanish surname meaning "towers."

88. **Vazquez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Vasco," a Basque name meaning "wolf."

89. **Vega:** A Spanish surname meaning "meadow."

90. **Velez:** A Spanish surname meaning "veil."

91. **Velasquez:** A Spanish surname meaning "little veil."

92. **Vera:** A Spanish surname meaning "truth."

93. **Vidal:** A Spanish surname meaning "life."

94. **Villa:** A Spanish surname meaning "village."

95. **Villanueva:** A Spanish surname meaning "new village."

96. **Viruet:** A Spanish surname of Basque origin, meaning "green valley."

97. **Zayas:** A Spanish surname of Arabic origin, meaning "place of the olive trees."

98. **Zepeda:** A Spanish surname of Arabic origin, meaning "place of the flowers."

99. **Zuniga:** A Spanish surname of Arabic origin, meaning "place of the olive trees."

100. **Diaz de Leon:** This last name is a patronymic surname derived from the Spanish word "día," meaning "day," and "León," which is a Spanish word meaning "lion." It is a popular surname in Puerto Rico, and it is thought to have originated from the Spanish conquistadors.