Last Names of Spain: A Comprehensive Guide to Common Spanish Surnames

This guide offers a comprehensive list of common Spanish last names, providing valuable insights into their origins, meanings, and prevalence. Whether you're researching your family history, exploring Spanish culture, or simply seeking unique and meaningful names, this resource will be a helpful starting point. Delve into the rich tapestry of Spanish surnames and discover the stories they hold.
1. **Alonso:** From the Germanic name "Adalwulf," meaning "noble wolf." A common name in Spain, often associated with royalty and nobility.
2. **Alvarez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Álvaro," a Germanic name derived from "adal" (noble) and "wara" (warrior).
3. **Andrade:** Meaning "land of the Anduri," a Basque word for a type of tree. This surname is common in northern Spain, particularly in Galicia.
4. **Arias:** From the Latin word "Arius," meaning "noble" or "warrior." A common surname in Spain, particularly in the region of Asturias.
5. **Barros:** A topographic surname meaning "muddy ground," derived from the Portuguese word "barro." It is common in Spain, particularly in Galicia and Asturias.
6. **Benitez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Benito," a Spanish form of the Latin name "Benedict," meaning "blessed."
7. **Blanco:** A descriptive surname meaning "white," likely referring to the person's complexion or a characteristic of their home.
8. **Cabrera:** A topographic surname meaning "goat pasture," derived from the Latin word "cabra." Common in Spain, particularly in Catalonia.
9. **Calderón:** From the Spanish word "calderón," meaning "cauldron." A common surname in Spain, associated with blacksmiths and other metal workers.
10. **Campos:** A topographic surname meaning "fields," derived from the Latin word "campus." Common in Spain, often indicating a rural origin.
11. **Carrasco:** From the Spanish word "carrasco," meaning "oak tree." A common surname in Spain, particularly in the region of Andalusia.
12. **Castillo:** A topographic surname meaning "castle," derived from the Latin word "castellum." Common in Spain, often associated with nobility and land ownership.
13. **Cortes:** From the Spanish word "corte," meaning "court," referring to a royal court or a place of justice. A common surname in Spain, often associated with nobility and law.
14. **Diaz:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Diego," a Spanish form of the Greek name "Dionysius," meaning "god of wine."
15. **Fernandez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Fernando," a Germanic name meaning "peaceful journey."
16. **Garcia:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of García," a Germanic name meaning "spearman."
17. **Gonzalez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Gonzalo," a Germanic name meaning "battle-eager."
18. **Gómez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Gome," a Germanic name meaning "man of the land."
19. **Hernandez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Hernando," a Germanic name meaning "army ruler."
20. **Herrera:** A topographic surname meaning "ironworks," derived from the Spanish word "herrería." Common in Spain, associated with blacksmiths and metalworkers.
21. **Jimenez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Jaime," a Spanish form of the Hebrew name "Jacob," meaning "supplanter."
22. **Lopez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Lope," a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Hlodowig," meaning "famous warrior."
23. **Martinez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Martín," a Latin name meaning "warlike."
24. **Martin:** A Spanish form of the Latin name "Martinus," meaning "warlike."
25. **Mendoza:** A topographic surname meaning "mountain of goats," derived from the Basque word "mendi" (mountain) and "entz" (goat). Common in Spain, particularly in the region of Castile.
26. **Molina:** A topographic surname meaning "mill," derived from the Latin word "molina." Common in Spain, often indicating a place with a watermill.
27. **Moreno:** A descriptive surname meaning "dark-skinned," derived from the Spanish word "mor" (dark).
28. **Morales:** A topographic surname meaning "moorland," derived from the Latin word "moralis." Common in Spain, particularly in the region of Andalusia.
29. **Navarro:** A topographic surname meaning "from Navarre," referring to the historical region in northern Spain.
30. **Nieto:** A patronymic surname meaning "grandson," derived from the Latin word "nepos."
31. **Núñez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Nuño," a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Hludowig," meaning "famous warrior."
32. **Ortiz:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Ortíz," a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Ortolf," meaning "bear-wolf."
33. **Perez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Pedro," a Spanish form of the Greek name "Petros," meaning "stone."
34. **Ramirez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Ramiro," a Germanic name meaning "famous counsel."
35. **Rodriguez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Rodrigo," a Germanic name meaning "famous ruler."
36. **Romero:** A topographic surname meaning "pilgrim," derived from the Latin word "romerius." Common in Spain, often associated with religious journeys.
37. **Ruiz:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Ruy," a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Hruodulf," meaning "famous wolf."
38. **Sanchez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Sancho," a Germanic name meaning "divine protector."
39. **Santos:** From the Spanish word "santos," meaning "saints." A common surname in Spain, often indicating a place of worship or a religious dedication.
40. **Torres:** A topographic surname meaning "towers," derived from the Latin word "turris." Common in Spain, often associated with castles and fortresses.
41. **Vargas:** A topographic surname meaning "valley of the reeds," derived from the Latin word "varus" (reeds). Common in Spain, particularly in the region of Andalusia.
42. **Vazquez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Vasco," a Basque name meaning "strong."
43. **Vega:** A topographic surname meaning "meadow," derived from the Latin word "vega." Common in Spain, often indicating a fertile land.
44. **Velasco:** A topographic surname meaning "old town," derived from the Spanish word "velasco." Common in Spain, often indicating a place of historical significance.
45. **Vicente:** A Spanish form of the Latin name "Vicentius," meaning "conqueror."
46. **Villa:** A topographic surname meaning "village," derived from the Latin word "villa." Common in Spain, often indicating a rural origin.
47. **Villanueva:** A topographic surname meaning "new town," derived from the Spanish words "villa" and "nueva." Common in Spain, often indicating a new settlement or a place of expansion.
48. **Zapata:** From the Spanish word "zapata," meaning "shoe." A common surname in Spain, possibly referring to a shoemaker or a person who wore a distinctive type of shoe.
49. **Zuniga:** A topographic surname meaning "rocky slope," derived from the Basque word "zubi" (bridge) and "aga" (slope). Common in Spain, particularly in the region of Castile.