Common Philippine Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you curious about the most prevalent surnames in the Philippines? This comprehensive guide delves into the origins and meanings of common Philippine last names, providing a glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of the nation. From Spanish influences to indigenous roots, the surnames found in the Philippines offer a captivating journey through history and ancestry.
1. **Aguilar:** Eagle; one who is like an eagle.
2. **Alcantara:** From the place name Alcântara, Portugal.
3. **Alvarez:** From the Germanic elements *alb* meaning "elf" or "white" and *ric* meaning "power" or "ruler."
4. **Amado:** Beloved; one who is loved.
5. **Ancheta:** From the place name Ancheta, Italy.
6. **Andrada:** From the place name Andrada, Spain.
7. **Angeles:** Angels; messengers of God.
8. **Aquino:** From the place name Aquino, Italy.
9. **Arias:** From the Latin word *aria*, meaning "air."
10. **Arizala:** From the place name Arizala, Spain.
11. **Asuncion:** Assumption; the taking up into heaven.
12. **Austria:** Austria; a country in Central Europe.
13. **Bautista:** Baptist; one who baptizes.
14. **Baylon:** From the place name Baylon, Spain.
15. **Beltran:** From the Germanic elements *berht* meaning "bright" and *ran* meaning "raven."
16. **Benitez:** From the Latin word *benedictus*, meaning "blessed."
17. **Bernardo:** Bernard; strong as a bear.
18. **Blanco:** White; one who is white.
19. **Bondoc:** From the place name Bondoc, Philippines.
20. **Borja:** From the place name Borja, Spain.
21. **Caballero:** Knight; a man of noble character.
22. **Cabrera:** From the place name Cabrera, Spain.
23. **Cagalingan:** From the place name Cagalingan, Philippines.
24. **Calderon:** Cauldron; a large pot used for boiling.
25. **Campos:** Fields; a piece of land used for farming.
26. **Canlas:** From the place name Canlas, Philippines.
27. **Capulong:** From the place name Capulong, Philippines.
28. **Carpio:** From the place name Carpio, Spain.
29. **Castillo:** Castle; a fortified building.
30. **Castro:** From the place name Castro, Spain.
31. **Catapang:** From the place name Catapang, Philippines.
32. **Catibog:** From the place name Catibog, Philippines.
33. **Cayetano:** From the Latin word *caietanus*, meaning "from Gaeta."
34. **Celestino:** Heavenly; one who is from heaven.
35. **Cervantes:** From the place name Cervantes, Spain.
36. **Chico:** Little; one who is small.
37. **Ching:** A Chinese surname, meaning "prosperity."
38. **Cortes:** Courts; a place where justice is administered.
39. **Cruz:** Cross; a symbol of Christianity.
40. **De Guzman:** From the place name Guzman, Spain.
41. **De la Cruz:** From the place name La Cruz, Spain.
42. **De la Rosa:** From the place name La Rosa, Spain.
43. **De Leon:** From the place name Leon, Spain.
44. **Delos Santos:** From the place name Santos, Spain.
45. **Diaz:** From the Spanish word *día*, meaning "day."
46. **Domingo:** Sunday; one who was born on Sunday.
47. **Dorado:** Golden; one who is golden.
48. **Estrada:** From the place name Estrada, Spain.
49. **Evangelista:** Evangelist; one who preaches the gospel.
50. **Fajardo:** From the place name Fajardo, Spain.
51. **Fernandez:** From the Germanic elements *fern* meaning "journey" and *and* meaning "brave."
52. **Flores:** Flowers; a plant that blooms.
53. **Francisco:** Francis; one who is free.
54. **Garcia:** From the place name Garcia, Spain.
55. **Gatchalian:** From the place name Gatchalian, Philippines.
56. **Gatdula:** From the place name Gatdula, Philippines.
57. **Gonzales:** From the Germanic elements *gunthar* meaning "war" and *sal* meaning "hall."
58. **Guevarra:** From the place name Guevarra, Spain.
59. **Guerrero:** Warrior; a person who fights in battles.
60. **Guevarra:** From the place name Guevarra, Spain.
61. **Hernandez:** From the Germanic elements *her* meaning "army" and *nand* meaning "bold."
62. **Herrera:** Ironworker; one who works with iron.
63. **Hilario:** Cheerful; one who is happy.
64. **Ibarra:** From the place name Ibarra, Spain.
65. **Ignacio:** Ignatius; fiery.
66. **Jimenez:** From the Spanish word *jiménez*, meaning "son of James."
67. **Jocson:** From the place name Jocson, Philippines.
68. **Juan:** John; God is gracious.
69. **Lacson:** From the place name Lacson, Philippines.
70. **Lagman:** From the place name Lagman, Philippines.
71. **Lansangan:** From the place name Lansangan, Philippines.
72. **Laurel:** Laurel; a tree with fragrant flowers.
73. **Lazaro:** Lazarus; God is my help.
74. **Legaspi:** From the place name Legaspi, Philippines.
75. **Leoncio:** Lion; one who is strong.
76. **Lim:** A Chinese surname, meaning "forest" or "wood."
77. **Lopez:** From the Latin word *lupus*, meaning "wolf."
78. **Luna:** Moon; a celestial body that reflects sunlight.
79. **Macaraig:** From the place name Macaraig, Philippines.
80. **Magno:** Great; one who is large or important.
81. **Maleza:** From the place name Maleza, Spain.
82. **Manalo:** From the place name Manalo, Philippines.
83. **Marcelo:** From the Latin word *marcellus*, meaning "warlike."
84. **Marquez:** From the Latin word *marchicus*, meaning "of the border."
85. **Martin:** Mars; the Roman god of war.
86. **Martinez:** From the Latin word *martinus*, meaning "of Mars."
87. **Masangkay:** From the place name Masangkay, Philippines.
88. **Mateo:** Matthew; a gift of God.
89. **Matulac:** From the place name Matulac, Philippines.
90. **Medina:** From the place name Medina, Spain.
91. **Melendres:** From the place name Melendres, Spain.
92. **Mendoza:** From the place name Mendoza, Spain.
93. **Mercado:** Market; a place where goods are bought and sold.
94. **Merez:** From the place name Merez, Spain.
95. **Miranda:** From the Latin word *mirandus*, meaning "to be admired."
96. **Mondejar:** From the place name Mondejar, Spain.
97. **Montemayor:** From the place name Montemayor, Spain.
98. **Morales:** From the Latin word *moralis*, meaning "of morals."
99. **Moreno:** Dark-skinned; one who has dark skin.
100. **Munoz:** From the place name Munoz, Spain.
101. **Navarro:** From the place name Navarro, Spain.
102. **Nolasco:** From the place name Nolasco, Spain.
103. **Nuñez:** From the Latin word *nucius*, meaning "messenger."
104. **Ocampo:** From the place name Ocampo, Spain.
105. **Ochoa:** From the place name Ochoa, Spain.
106. **Oliveros:** From the place name Oliveros, Spain.
107. **Ong:** A Chinese surname, meaning "king" or "prince."
108. **Ordonez:** From the Spanish word *ordóñez*, meaning "son of Ordono."
109. **Ortega:** From the place name Ortega, Spain.
110. **Ortiz:** From the Latin word *hortus*, meaning "garden."
111. **Padilla:** From the place name Padilla, Spain.
112. **Panganiban:** From the place name Panganiban, Philippines.
113. **Pantaleon:** Lion of God; one who is strong like a lion.
114. **Pareja:** Couple; a pair of people.
115. **Pascual:** Easter; one who was born during Easter.
116. **Paterno:** From the Latin word *pater*, meaning "father."
117. **Perez:** From the Spanish word *pérez*, meaning "son of Pedro."
118. **Philippine:** From the name of the country, Philippines.
119. **Pimentel:** From the place name Pimentel, Spain.
120. **Pinlac:** From the place name Pinlac, Philippines.
121. **Ponce:** From the place name Ponce, Spain.
122. **Quezon:** From the place name Quezon, Philippines.
123. **Quijano:** From the place name Quijano, Spain.
124. **Ramos:** From the Latin word *ramus*, meaning "branch."
125. **Reyes:** Kings; rulers of a country.
126. **Rivera:** River; a flowing body of water.
127. **Rizal:** From the place name Rizal, Philippines.
128. **Rodriguez:** From the Germanic elements *rod* meaning "fame" and *ric* meaning "ruler."
129. **Romero:** Pilgrim; one who travels to a holy place.
130. **Rosales:** Rose bushes; a plant that bears roses.
131. **Rubio:** Red; one who has red hair.
132. **Rufino:** Red; one who has red hair.
133. **Sagun:** From the place name Sagun, Philippines.
134. **Salazar:** From the place name Salazar, Spain.
135. **Salonga:** From the place name Salonga, Philippines.
136. **Salvador:** Savior; one who saves.
137. **Samonte:** From the place name Samonte, Philippines.
138. **Sanchez:** From the Latin word *sanctus*, meaning "holy."
139. **Santos:** Saints; holy people.
140. **Santiago:** James; God is gracious.
141. **Sarmiento:** Branch; a part of a tree.
142. **Sebastian:** From the Latin word *sebastianus*, meaning "venerable."
143. **Sevilla:** From the place name Sevilla, Spain.
144. **Silva:** Forest; a large area of trees.
145. **Sison:** From the place name Sison, Philippines.
146. **Soriano:** From the place name Soriano, Spain.
147. **Suarez:** From the Latin word *suarius*, meaning "from Suevia."
148. **Sy:** A Chinese surname, meaning "silk."
149. **Tan:** A Chinese surname, meaning "to plant."
150. **Teodoro:** Gift of God; one who is a gift from God.
151. **Tolentino:** From the place name Tolentino, Italy.
152. **Torres:** Towers; tall structures.
153. **Valdez:** From the place name Valdez, Spain.
154. **Valenzuela:** From the place name Valenzuela, Spain.
155. **Vargas:** From the place name Vargas, Spain.
156. **Vasquez:** From the Basque word *basque*, meaning "from the Basque country."
157. **Velasco:** From the place name Velasco, Spain.
158. **Ventura:** Fortune; one who is lucky.
159. **Vera:** True; one who is truthful.
160. **Vergara:** From the place name Vergara, Spain.
161. **Vicente:** Victor; one who conquers.
162. **Villa:** Village; a small community.
163. **Villanueva:** From the place name Villanueva, Spain.
164. **Villegas:** From the place name Villegas, Spain.
165. **Virtucio:** Virtuous; one who is moral.
166. **Yabut:** From the place name Yabut, Philippines.
167. **Yap:** A Chinese surname, meaning "jade."
168. **Zaragoza:** From the place name Zaragoza, Spain.
169. **Zialcita:** From the place name Zialcita, Spain.
170. **Zulueta:** From the place name Zulueta, Spain.