Filipino Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Filipino last names, also known as apellidos, are an integral part of Filipino culture and identity. They reflect a rich history, spanning centuries and encompassing various influences, from Spanish colonization to indigenous traditions. Understanding the meaning behind these names can provide valuable insight into the cultural fabric of the Philippines. This comprehensive list explores the diverse origins and meanings of popular Filipino last names, offering a glimpse into the fascinating tapestry of Philippine heritage.
1. **Abad:** meaning "forever," "eternal," or "lasting," symbolizing enduring strength and longevity.
2. **Agcaoili:** of unknown origin, possibly derived from a place name.
3. **Aguilar:** meaning "eagle," representing strength, freedom, and soaring ambition.
4. **Alegre:** meaning "joyful," "happy," or "cheerful," reflecting a positive and optimistic outlook.
5. **Almario:** of unknown origin, possibly derived from a place name.
6. **Alvarez:** meaning "son of Alvaro," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
7. **Aquino:** meaning "eagle," similar to Aguilar, signifying strength, freedom, and soaring ambition.
8. **Arias:** meaning "of the air" or "from the air," suggesting a connection to nature and the sky.
9. **Arroyo:** meaning "stream" or "brook," symbolizing flow, adaptability, and connection to nature.
10. **Atienza:** meaning "attentive," "watchful," or "vigilant," signifying a careful and observant nature.
11. **Avelino:** meaning "little bird," symbolizing freedom, beauty, and a delicate nature.
12. **Avila:** meaning "bird," similar to Avelino, representing freedom, beauty, and a delicate nature.
13. **Bautista:** meaning "baptist," referring to John the Baptist, a significant figure in Christianity.
14. **Baylon:** meaning "from the bay," suggesting a connection to a coastal region or water.
15. **Beltran:** meaning "brave" or "strong," signifying courage, strength, and resilience.
16. **Bernardo:** meaning "bold" or "brave," similar to Beltran, suggesting courage, strength, and resilience.
17. **Buenaventura:** meaning "good fortune" or "good luck," reflecting a positive and optimistic outlook.
18. **Cabrera:** meaning "goat," symbolizing independence, agility, and resourcefulness.
19. **Calderon:** meaning "kettle" or "cauldron," potentially referring to a place name or an occupation.
20. **Camacho:** meaning "chamber" or "room," possibly derived from a place name or an occupation.
21. **Campos:** meaning "fields" or "plains," suggesting a connection to nature and agriculture.
22. **Caparas:** meaning "from the cape," indicating a connection to a geographical feature.
23. **Carpio:** meaning "carp" or "fish," symbolizing life, vitality, and adaptability.
24. **Castillo:** meaning "castle," representing strength, protection, and a sense of security.
25. **Castro:** meaning "castle," similar to Castillo, signifying strength, protection, and a sense of security.
26. **Catapang:** meaning "from the forest" or "from the woods," suggesting a connection to nature and wild places.
27. **Caudillo:** meaning "leader" or "chieftain," signifying authority, responsibility, and guidance.
28. **Cayetano:** meaning "Christian" or "one who follows Christ," reflecting a strong faith and religious devotion.
29. **Cerezo:** meaning "cherry tree," symbolizing beauty, sweetness, and delicacy.
30. **Cojuangco:** meaning "from the river" or "from the stream," suggesting a connection to water and nature.
31. **Cordero:** meaning "lamb," symbolizing gentleness, innocence, and purity.
32. **Cruz:** meaning "cross," representing Christianity and faith.
33. **Cuizon:** meaning "from the cuizon tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
34. **De Guzman:** meaning "son of Guzman," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
35. **De Jesus:** meaning "son of Jesus," a common Christian name, reflecting a strong faith and devotion.
36. **Del Rosario:** meaning "from the rosary," representing faith, devotion, and prayer.
37. **Diaz:** meaning "day," representing new beginnings, hope, and enlightenment.
38. **Domingo:** meaning "Sunday," symbolizing rest, renewal, and a new start.
39. **Estrada:** meaning "street" or "road," suggesting a connection to travel, exploration, and connection.
40. **Evangelista:** meaning "evangelist," referring to a preacher or messenger of the gospel, signifying faith and religious devotion.
41. **Fernandez:** meaning "son of Fernando," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
42. **Flores:** meaning "flowers," symbolizing beauty, joy, and prosperity.
43. **Francisco:** meaning "Frenchman," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
44. **Garcia:** meaning "son of Garcia," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
45. **Gatchalian:** meaning "from the gatchalian tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
46. **Gatdula:** meaning "from the gatdula tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
47. **Gonzales:** meaning "son of Gonzalo," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
48. **Guevarra:** meaning "son of Guevara," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
49. **Hernandez:** meaning "son of Hernando," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
50. **Hidalgo:** meaning "nobleman" or "gentleman," signifying a high social standing and honor.
51. **Ignacio:** meaning "fiery" or "born of fire," symbolizing passion, energy, and intensity.
52. **Jimenez:** meaning "son of Jaime," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
53. **Jocson:** meaning "from the jocson tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
54. **Joaquin:** meaning "God is merciful," reflecting faith and a belief in divine intervention.
55. **Juan:** meaning "God is gracious," a common Christian name, reflecting faith and a belief in divine grace.
56. **Lacson:** meaning "from the lacson tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
57. **Lagman:** meaning "from the lagman tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
58. **Lansang:** meaning "from the lansang tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
59. **Laurel:** meaning "laurel tree," symbolizing victory, triumph, and glory.
60. **Ledesma:** meaning "from the ledesma tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
61. **Leon:** meaning "lion," symbolizing strength, courage, and leadership.
62. **Lopez:** meaning "son of Lope," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
63. **Lorenzana:** meaning "from the lorenzana tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
64. **Lucas:** meaning "light," representing hope, guidance, and enlightenment.
65. **Magno:** meaning "magnificent," "grand," or "great," signifying power, importance, and grandeur.
66. **Manalastas:** meaning "from the manalastas tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
67. **Manansala:** meaning "from the manansala tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
68. **Manuel:** meaning "God is with us," a common Christian name, reflecting faith and a belief in divine presence.
69. **Marasigan:** meaning "from the marasigan tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
70. **Marquez:** meaning "from the market," suggesting a connection to trade, commerce, and public life.
71. **Martin:** meaning "war god," symbolizing strength, courage, and military prowess.
72. **Mateo:** meaning "gift of God," a common Christian name, reflecting a belief in divine gifts and blessings.
73. **Mendoza:** meaning "son of Mendoza," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
74. **Mercado:** meaning "market," similar to Marquez, suggesting a connection to trade, commerce, and public life.
75. **Miranda:** meaning "to look at" or "to observe," suggesting a keen eye and a perceptive nature.
76. **Montero:** meaning "hunter" or "gamekeeper," suggesting a connection to nature, wilderness, and skills of tracking and hunting.
77. **Montemayor:** meaning "mountain of May," suggesting a connection to a geographical feature and possibly a place name.
78. **Moreno:** meaning "dark" or "brown," referring to a skin tone, possibly suggesting a connection to a specific region or heritage.
79. **Morales:** meaning "manners" or "ethics," signifying a strong sense of right and wrong and adherence to moral principles.
80. **Munoz:** meaning "son of Muñoz," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
81. **Navarro:** meaning "from Navarre," a region in Spain, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry and a specific region.
82. **Natividad:** meaning "nativity" or "birth," referring to the birth of Jesus Christ, reflecting faith and a belief in divine birth.
83. **Ocampo:** meaning "from the field," suggesting a connection to agriculture and rural life.
84. **Oliveros:** meaning "olive tree," symbolizing peace, prosperity, and abundance.
85. **Ortega:** meaning "bear," symbolizing strength, courage, and power.
86. **Osorio:** meaning "gold" or "golden," signifying value, wealth, and prosperity.
87. **Padilla:** meaning "small field," suggesting a connection to agriculture and rural life.
88. **Panganiban:** meaning "from the panganiban tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
89. **Paredes:** meaning "walls" or "enclosure," suggesting a connection to protection, security, and strength.
90. **Pascual:** meaning "Easter," representing resurrection, hope, and new life.
91. **Pastor:** meaning "shepherd," symbolizing leadership, guidance, and care.
92. **Patawaran:** meaning "forgiveness" or "pardon," signifying mercy, compassion, and a willingness to let go.
93. **Perez:** meaning "son of Pedro," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
94. **Philippine:** meaning "lover of horses," suggesting a connection to equestrianism or a love for horses.
95. **Pico:** meaning "peak" or "summit," suggesting a connection to mountains or a desire for reaching heights.
96. **Pimentel:** meaning "from the pimentel tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
97. **Pineda:** meaning "pine tree," symbolizing strength, resilience, and longevity.
98. **Pineda:** meaning "pine tree," symbolizing strength, resilience, and longevity.
99. **Quezon:** meaning "from Quezon," a province in the Philippines, indicating a connection to a specific region.
100. **Reyes:** meaning "kings," signifying authority, leadership, and nobility.
101. **Rivera:** meaning "riverbank" or "riverside," suggesting a connection to water, nature, and flow.
102. **Rodriguez:** meaning "son of Rodrigo," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
103. **Romero:** meaning "pilgrim" or "wanderer," suggesting a spirit of exploration, travel, and adventure.
104. **Rosales:** meaning "rose bushes," symbolizing beauty, love, and romance.
105. **Rubio:** meaning "reddish" or "blonde," referring to a hair color, possibly suggesting a connection to a specific region or heritage.
106. **Salazar:** meaning "from the salt marsh," suggesting a connection to coastal regions and possibly an occupation.
107. **Sanchez:** meaning "son of Sancho," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
108. **Santos:** meaning "saints," representing faith, holiness, and devotion.
109. **Santiago:** meaning "St. James," a common Christian name, reflecting faith and a devotion to a specific saint.
110. **Sevilla:** meaning "from Seville," a city in Spain, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry and a specific region.
111. **Sison:** meaning "from the sison tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
112. **Soriano:** meaning "from Soria," a region in Spain, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry and a specific region.
113. **Suarez:** meaning "son of Suarez," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
114. **Sy:** meaning "from the sy tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
115. **Tan:** meaning "from the tan tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
116. **Tandingan:** meaning "from the tandingan tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
117. **Teodoro:** meaning "gift of God," similar to Mateo, reflecting a belief in divine gifts and blessings.
118. **Tolentino:** meaning "from the tolentino tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
119. **Torres:** meaning "towers," symbolizing strength, protection, and height.
120. **Valdez:** meaning "son of Valdes," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
121. **Valenzuela:** meaning "from the valley," suggesting a connection to a geographical feature.
122. **Vargas:** meaning "man of the valley," similar to Valenzuela, suggesting a connection to a geographical feature.
123. **Vasquez:** meaning "son of Vasco," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
124. **Velasquez:** meaning "son of Velasquez," a common Spanish name, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry.
125. **Ventura:** meaning "venture" or "undertaking," suggesting a spirit of adventure, risk-taking, and exploration.
126. **Vera:** meaning "true" or "authentic," signifying honesty, integrity, and genuineness.
127. **Vergara:** meaning "green meadow," suggesting a connection to nature and beautiful landscapes.
128. **Vicente:** meaning "conquering," symbolizing strength, determination, and victory.
129. **Villanueva:** meaning "new town" or "new village," suggesting a connection to a settlement or a new beginning.
130. **Villareal:** meaning "royal town," suggesting a connection to a significant or prosperous settlement.
131. **Villarosa:** meaning "beautiful town," suggesting a connection to a beautiful or desirable place.
132. **Villasis:** meaning "from the villasis tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
133. **Villegas:** meaning "from the villegas tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
134. **Virata:** meaning "from the virata tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
135. **Yabut:** meaning "from the yabut tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
136. **Yap:** meaning "from the yap tree," indicating a connection to a specific type of tree.
137. **Zamora:** meaning "from Zamora," a region in Spain, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry and a specific region.
138. **Zaragoza:** meaning "from Zaragoza," a city in Spain, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry and a specific region.
139. **Zulueta:** meaning "from Zulueta," a place in Spain, indicating a connection to Spanish ancestry and a specific region.