Common Spanish Last Names: A Comprehensive List

Looking for the most common last names in the Spanish language? You've come to the right place! This comprehensive list explores the origins and meanings of frequently encountered Spanish surnames, offering valuable insights into their history and cultural significance. Whether you're tracing your ancestry or simply curious about the rich linguistic tapestry of Spain and Latin America, this guide will provide you with a detailed understanding of these enduring family names.
1. **García:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Garci," a Germanic name derived from "berga," meaning "mountain fortress." It is one of the most common surnames in Spain and Latin America.
2. **Rodriguez:** Another patronymic surname, meaning "son of Rodrigo," a Germanic name derived from "hrod," meaning "fame" and "ric," meaning "power." It is a popular surname throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
3. **Gonzalez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Gonzalo," a Germanic name meaning "battle-worthy." It is widespread in Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines.
4. **Fernandez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Fernando," a Germanic name meaning "peace journey." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
5. **Lopez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Lope," a short form of the name "Leopoldo," meaning "brave people." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
6. **Martinez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Martín," a Latin name meaning "warlike." It is a widespread surname throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
7. **Sanchez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Sancho," a Germanic name meaning "holy." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
8. **Perez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Pedro," a Spanish name derived from the Greek name "Petros," meaning "stone." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
9. **Gómez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Gomo," a Germanic name meaning "spearman." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
10. **Alvarez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Álvaro," a Germanic name meaning "wise counsel." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
11. **Moreno:** A surname meaning "dark-skinned," referring to someone with a dark complexion. It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
12. **Hernandez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Hernando," a Spanish form of the name "Fernando." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
13. **Diaz:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Diego," a Spanish name derived from the Greek name "Didymos," meaning "twin." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
14. **Ruiz:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Ruy," a Spanish form of the name "Rodrigo." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
15. **Torres:** A surname meaning "towers," referring to a place with towers. It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
16. **Jimenez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Jaime," a Spanish form of the name "James." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
17. **Romero:** A surname meaning "pilgrim," referring to someone who traveled to Rome. It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
18. **Alonso:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Alfonso," a Germanic name meaning "noble and ready for battle." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
19. **Gonzalez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Gonzalo," a Germanic name meaning "battle-worthy." It is widespread in Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines.
20. **Martin:** A surname derived from the Latin name "Martinus," meaning "warlike." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
21. **Santos:** A surname meaning "saints," referring to someone who is considered holy. It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
22. **Lopez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Lope," a short form of the name "Leopoldo," meaning "brave people." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
23. **Gonzalez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Gonzalo," a Germanic name meaning "battle-worthy." It is widespread in Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines.
24. **Rodriguez:** Another patronymic surname, meaning "son of Rodrigo," a Germanic name derived from "hrod," meaning "fame" and "ric," meaning "power." It is a popular surname throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
25. **Garcia:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Garci," a Germanic name derived from "berga," meaning "mountain fortress." It is one of the most common surnames in Spain and Latin America.
26. **Perez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Pedro," a Spanish name derived from the Greek name "Petros," meaning "stone." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
27. **Sanchez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Sancho," a Germanic name meaning "holy." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
28. **Fernandez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Fernando," a Germanic name meaning "peace journey." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
29. **Martinez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Martín," a Latin name meaning "warlike." It is a widespread surname throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
30. **Gonzalez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Gonzalo," a Germanic name meaning "battle-worthy." It is widespread in Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines.
31. **Rodriguez:** Another patronymic surname, meaning "son of Rodrigo," a Germanic name derived from "hrod," meaning "fame" and "ric," meaning "power." It is a popular surname throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
32. **Garcia:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Garci," a Germanic name derived from "berga," meaning "mountain fortress." It is one of the most common surnames in Spain and Latin America.
33. **Perez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Pedro," a Spanish name derived from the Greek name "Petros," meaning "stone." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
34. **Sanchez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Sancho," a Germanic name meaning "holy." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
35. **Fernandez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Fernando," a Germanic name meaning "peace journey." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
36. **Martinez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Martín," a Latin name meaning "warlike." It is a widespread surname throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
37. **Gómez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Gomo," a Germanic name meaning "spearman." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
38. **Alvarez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Álvaro," a Germanic name meaning "wise counsel." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
39. **Moreno:** A surname meaning "dark-skinned," referring to someone with a dark complexion. It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
40. **Hernandez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Hernando," a Spanish form of the name "Fernando." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
41. **Diaz:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Diego," a Spanish name derived from the Greek name "Didymos," meaning "twin." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
42. **Ruiz:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Ruy," a Spanish form of the name "Rodrigo." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
43. **Torres:** A surname meaning "towers," referring to a place with towers. It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
44. **Jimenez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Jaime," a Spanish form of the name "James." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
45. **Romero:** A surname meaning "pilgrim," referring to someone who traveled to Rome. It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
46. **Alonso:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Alfonso," a Germanic name meaning "noble and ready for battle." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
47. **Gonzalez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Gonzalo," a Germanic name meaning "battle-worthy." It is widespread in Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines.
48. **Martin:** A surname derived from the Latin name "Martinus," meaning "warlike." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
49. **Santos:** A surname meaning "saints," referring to someone who is considered holy. It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.
50. **Lopez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Lope," a short form of the name "Leopoldo," meaning "brave people." It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America.