Common Puerto Rican Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Puerto Rican last names, often reflecting the island's rich history and cultural influences, offer a glimpse into the diverse heritage of its people. These names, passed down through generations, hold stories of Spanish colonialism, African ancestry, and indigenous roots. This comprehensive guide explores the most common Puerto Rican last names, delving into their origins, meanings, and cultural significance. Whether you're researching your family history or simply curious about the island's linguistic tapestry, this list provides valuable insights into the unique identity of Puerto Ricans.
1. **Alvarez:** Meaning "son of Alvaro," a Germanic name meaning "wise elf."
2. **Andino:** Meaning "from the Andes Mountains," reflecting the origins of some Puerto Ricans.
3. **Aponte:** A Spanish surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.
4. **Arias:** Meaning "from the Arias valley," a place name of Spanish origin.
5. **Arroyo:** Meaning "stream" or "brook," a common place name in Puerto Rico.
6. **Ayala:** A Spanish surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.
7. **Badillo:** A Spanish surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.
8. **Barbosa:** Meaning "bearded one," a Spanish surname of Germanic origin.
9. **Bautista:** Meaning "baptized one," a religious name of Spanish origin.
10. **Benitez:** Meaning "son of Benito," a Latin name meaning "blessed."
11. **Berrios:** A Spanish surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.
12. **Blancas:** Meaning "white" or "fair," a Spanish surname of descriptive origin.
13. **Cabrera:** A Spanish surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.
14. **Calderón:** Meaning "cauldron," a Spanish surname of occupational origin.
15. **Camacho:** A Spanish surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.
16. **Campos:** Meaning "fields," a Spanish surname of place name origin.
17. **Cancel:** A Spanish surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.
18. **Caraballo:** Meaning "wild bull," a Spanish surname of animal origin.
19. **Carrasquillo:** A Spanish surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.
20. **Carrion:** Meaning "carrion" or "rotting flesh," a Spanish surname of unknown origin.
21. **Casillas:** Meaning "houses" or "buildings," a Spanish surname of place name origin.
22. **Castro:** Meaning "castle," a Spanish surname of place name origin.
23. **Cervantes:** Meaning "from Cervantes," a place name in Spain.
24. **Colon:** Meaning "column" or "pillar," a Spanish surname of place name origin.
25. **Cordero:** Meaning "lamb," a Spanish surname of animal origin.
26. **Correa:** Meaning "leather strap," a Spanish surname of occupational origin.
27. **Cruz:** Meaning "cross," a religious surname of Spanish origin.
28. **Delgado:** Meaning "thin" or "slender," a Spanish surname of descriptive origin.
29. **Diaz:** Meaning "day," a Spanish surname of occupational origin.
30. **Dominguez:** Meaning "son of Domingo," a Latin name meaning "Lord."
31. **Espada:** Meaning "sword," a Spanish surname of occupational origin.
32. **Esteban:** Meaning "crown," a Spanish surname of Germanic origin.
33. **Fernandez:** Meaning "son of Fernando," a Germanic name meaning "brave traveler."
34. **Flores:** Meaning "flowers," a Spanish surname of descriptive origin.
35. **Garcia:** Meaning "son of Garcia," a Germanic name meaning "spear warrior."
36. **Gonzalez:** Meaning "son of Gonzalo," a Germanic name meaning "warriors' battle."
37. **Hernandez:** Meaning "son of Hernando," a Germanic name meaning "brave warrior."
38. **Jimenez:** Meaning "son of Jaime," a Spanish name meaning "supplanter."
39. **Jones:** An English surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.
40. **Lopez:** Meaning "son of Lope," a Spanish name meaning "wolf."
41. **Lugo:** Meaning "from Lugo," a place name in Spain.
42. **Maldonado:** Meaning "ill-fated" or "unlucky," a Spanish surname of descriptive origin.
43. **Marquez:** Meaning "marker" or "boundary," a Spanish surname of occupational origin.
44. **Martinez:** Meaning "son of Martin," a Latin name meaning "war god."
45. **Mendez:** Meaning "son of Menendo," a Germanic name meaning "protector."
46. **Mercado:** Meaning "market," a Spanish surname of place name origin.
47. **Miranda:** Meaning "admiration" or "wonder," a Spanish surname of descriptive origin.
48. **Montero:** Meaning "hunter," a Spanish surname of occupational origin.
49. **Moreno:** Meaning "brown" or "dark," a Spanish surname of descriptive origin.
50. **Munoz:** Meaning "son of Muno," a Spanish name of unknown origin.
51. **Nava:** Meaning "ship" or "vessel," a Spanish surname of unknown origin.
52. **Nieves:** Meaning "snow," a Spanish surname of descriptive origin.
53. **Nunez:** Meaning "son of Nuno," a Spanish name of unknown origin.
54. **Ortiz:** Meaning "son of Ortiz," a Spanish name of unknown origin.
55. **Padilla:** A Spanish surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.
56. **Pacheco:** A Spanish surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.
57. **Palacios:** Meaning "palaces," a Spanish surname of place name origin.
58. **Perez:** Meaning "son of Pedro," a Spanish name meaning "rock" or "stone."
59. **Pina:** Meaning "pine," a Spanish surname of place name origin.
60. **Quiñones:** A Spanish surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.
61. **Ramirez:** Meaning "son of Ramiro," a Germanic name meaning "famous counselor."
62. **Reyes:** Meaning "kings," a Spanish surname of religious origin.
63. **Rivera:** Meaning "riverbank," a Spanish surname of place name origin.
64. **Rodriguez:** Meaning "son of Rodrigo," a Germanic name meaning "famous ruler."
65. **Roman:** Meaning "Roman," a Spanish surname of origin related to the Roman Empire.
66. **Rosario:** Meaning "rosary," a religious surname of Spanish origin.
67. **Ruiz:** Meaning "red," a Spanish surname of descriptive origin.
68. **Salas:** Meaning "halls," a Spanish surname of place name origin.
69. **Sanchez:** Meaning "son of Sancho," a Spanish name meaning "holy."
70. **Santiago:** Meaning "Saint James," a religious surname of Spanish origin.
71. **Santos:** Meaning "saints," a Spanish surname of religious origin.
72. **Silva:** Meaning "forest," a Spanish surname of place name origin.
73. **Soto:** Meaning "grove" or "woodland," a Spanish surname of place name origin.
74. **Suarez:** Meaning "son of Suarez," a Spanish name of unknown origin.
75. **Torres:** Meaning "towers," a Spanish surname of place name origin.
76. **Valdez:** Meaning "from the valley," a Spanish surname of place name origin.
77. **Valiente:** Meaning "brave," a Spanish surname of descriptive origin.
78. **Vargas:** Meaning "warriors," a Spanish surname of occupational origin.
79. **Vazquez:** Meaning "son of Vasco," a Spanish name of unknown origin.
80. **Vega:** Meaning "meadow," a Spanish surname of place name origin.
81. **Velasquez:** Meaning "little veil," a Spanish surname of descriptive origin.
82. **Velez:** A Spanish surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.
83. **Ventura:** Meaning "fortune" or "luck," a Spanish surname of descriptive origin.
84. **Vera:** Meaning "true" or "real," a Spanish surname of descriptive origin.
85. **Viera:** A Spanish surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.
86. **Villa:** Meaning "town" or "village," a Spanish surname of place name origin.
87. **Villanueva:** Meaning "new town," a Spanish surname of place name origin.
88. **Villegas:** A Spanish surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.
89. **Viruet:** A Spanish surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.
90. **Yanez:** Meaning "son of Juan," a Spanish name meaning "God is merciful."
91. **Zapata:** Meaning "shoemaker," a Spanish surname of occupational origin.
92. **Zayas:** A Spanish surname of unknown origin, possibly a place name or a patronymic.