Last Names in Puerto Rico: A Comprehensive Guide

Puerto Rico boasts a rich cultural heritage, reflected in its diverse population and the fascinating history of its last names. These surnames often provide clues to ancestral origins, reflecting the island's unique blend of Spanish, African, and indigenous Taíno influences. This guide explores the meanings behind common last names in Puerto Rico, offering insights into the cultural tapestry that shapes the island's identity.
1. **Acevedo:** From the Spanish "acebo," meaning "holly tree."
2. **Alvarado:** From the Spanish "albarada," meaning "rampart" or "fortification."
3. **Andújar:** Of Arabic origin, possibly related to "al-Andalus," referring to the former Islamic Iberian Peninsula.
4. **Aponte:** From the Spanish "apuntar," meaning "to point" or "to aim."
5. **Arias:** From the Spanish "arías," meaning "arias" or "melodies."
6. **Arroyo:** From the Spanish "arroyo," meaning "stream" or "brook."
7. **Aviles:** From the Spanish "Ávila," a city in Spain.
8. **Batista:** From the Spanish "Bautista," meaning "baptized."
9. **Benítez:** From the Spanish "benito," meaning "blessed" or "holy."
10. **Berrios:** Of Basque origin, meaning "the one from the meadow."
11. **Cabrera:** From the Spanish "cabra," meaning "goat."
12. **Calderón:** From the Spanish "calderón," meaning "large cauldron."
13. **Camacho:** From the Spanish "camacho," meaning "strong man" or "brave warrior."
14. **Cancel:** From the Spanish "cancelar," meaning "to cancel" or "to annul."
15. **Cárdenas:** From the Spanish "cardón," meaning "prickly pear cactus."
16. **Carrasquillo:** From the Spanish "carrasca," meaning "holm oak."
17. **Casillas:** From the Spanish "casilla," meaning "small house" or "hut."
18. **Castro:** From the Spanish "castro," meaning "fort" or "castle."
19. **Cepeda:** From the Spanish "cepeda," meaning "a place where there are many wild goats."
20. **Cintrón:** From the Spanish "cintrón," meaning "belt" or "girdle."
21. **Colón:** From the Spanish "Colón," referring to the explorer Christopher Columbus.
22. **Correa:** From the Spanish "correa," meaning "leather strap" or "belt."
23. **Cruz:** From the Spanish "cruz," meaning "cross."
24. **Díaz:** From the Spanish "día," meaning "day."
25. **Domínguez:** From the Spanish "dominus," meaning "lord" or "master."
26. **Estévez:** From the Spanish "Esteban," a Biblical name meaning "crown."
27. **Fernández:** From the Spanish "fernando," meaning "brave" or "bold."
28. **Figueroa:** From the Spanish "figo," meaning "fig."
29. **Flores:** From the Spanish "flor," meaning "flower."
30. **Fontanez:** From the Spanish "fuente," meaning "fountain."
31. **García:** From the Spanish "garcía," meaning "bear."
32. **Gómez:** From the Spanish "gómez," meaning "man who works with iron."
33. **González:** From the Spanish "gonzalo," meaning "warfare."
34. **Hernández:** From the Spanish "hernando," meaning "finder" or "discoverer."
35. **Jiménez:** From the Spanish "jaime," meaning "supplanter."
36. **Lebrón:** Of Basque origin, meaning "the one from the hill."
37. **López:** From the Spanish "lobo," meaning "wolf."
38. **Maldonado:** From the Spanish "mal," meaning "bad" and "donado," meaning "given."
39. **Marín:** From the Spanish "mar," meaning "sea."
40. **Martínez:** From the Spanish "martín," meaning "war-like" or "brave."
41. **Meléndez:** From the Spanish "melón," meaning "melon."
42. **Mendoza:** From the Spanish "mendíz," meaning "little mountain."
43. **Mercado:** From the Spanish "mercado," meaning "market."
44. **Miranda:** From the Spanish "mirar," meaning "to look" or "to observe."
45. **Montero:** From the Spanish "monte," meaning "mountain."
46. **Moreno:** From the Spanish "moreno," meaning "dark-skinned."
47. **Morales:** From the Spanish "moral," meaning "moral."
48. **Muñoz:** From the Spanish "monjo," meaning "monk."
49. **Nieves:** From the Spanish "nieve," meaning "snow."
50. **Núñez:** From the Spanish "nuno," meaning "child."
51. **Olivera:** From the Spanish "olivo," meaning "olive tree."
52. **Ortiz:** From the Spanish "ort," meaning "garden."
53. **Pagán:** From the Spanish "pagano," meaning "pagan."
54. **Palacios:** From the Spanish "palacio," meaning "palace."
55. **Pantoja:** From the Spanish "pantoja," meaning "puppet."
56. **Pérez:** From the Spanish "pedro," meaning "rock" or "stone."
57. **Pizarro:** From the Spanish "pizarro," meaning "blackboard" or "slate."
58. **Polanco:** From the Spanish "polán," meaning "mud."
59. **Quiñones:** From the Spanish "quinona," meaning "fifth."
60. **Ramos:** From the Spanish "ramo," meaning "branch" or "bouquet."
61. **Reyes:** From the Spanish "rey," meaning "king."
62. **Rivera:** From the Spanish "río," meaning "river."
63. **Rodríguez:** From the Spanish "rodrigo," meaning "famous ruler."
64. **Román:** From the Spanish "romano," meaning "Roman."
65. **Rosado:** From the Spanish "rosado," meaning "pink" or "rose-colored."
66. **Rosario:** From the Spanish "rosario," meaning "rosary."
67. **Ruiz:** From the Spanish "ruiz," meaning "red."
68. **Salgado:** From the Spanish "sal," meaning "salt."
69. **Sánchez:** From the Spanish "sancho," meaning "holy."
70. **Santiago:** From the Spanish "santiago," meaning "Saint James."
71. **Santos:** From the Spanish "santo," meaning "saint."
72. **Seda:** From the Spanish "seda," meaning "silk."
73. **Serrano:** From the Spanish "sierra," meaning "mountain range."
74. **Silva:** From the Spanish "silva," meaning "forest."
75. **Solís:** From the Spanish "sol," meaning "sun."
76. **Torres:** From the Spanish "torre," meaning "tower."
77. **Vargas:** From the Spanish "varga," meaning "reed" or "cane."
78. **Vázquez:** From the Spanish "vasco," meaning "Basque."
79. **Vega:** From the Spanish "vega," meaning "plain" or "valley."
80. **Velázquez:** From the Spanish "velasco," meaning "old" or "aged."
81. **Vellón:** From the Spanish "vellón," meaning "fleece" or "wool."
82. **Verdejo:** From the Spanish "verde," meaning "green."
83. **Viera:** From the Spanish "viejo," meaning "old" or "ancient."
84. **Villa:** From the Spanish "villa," meaning "town" or "village."
85. **Villanueva:** From the Spanish "villa" and "nueva," meaning "new town."
86. **Viruet:** From the Spanish "viruela," meaning "smallpox."
87. **Zayas:** From the Spanish "zaya," meaning "beautiful woman."
88. **Zepeda:** Of Basque origin, meaning "the one from the meadow."
89. **Zayas:** From the Spanish "zaya," meaning "beautiful woman."
90. **Zorrilla:** From the Spanish "zorro," meaning "fox."