Filipino Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Meanings

This comprehensive guide will delve into the fascinating world of Filipino last names. You'll discover the origins, history, and meanings behind some of the most common and unique surnames found in the Philippines. Whether you're researching your family history, exploring your Filipino heritage, or simply curious about the cultural significance of these names, this resource will provide valuable insights.
1. **Aguilar:** Eagle; one who is strong and agile.
2. **Alcantara:** A high or fortified place; a stronghold.
3. **Alvarez:** Son of Alvaro; a man who is wise and noble.
4. **Amante:** Lover; one who is passionate and devoted.
5. **Añonuevo:** A new year; a new beginning.
6. **Aquino:** From Aquino, a place in Italy; known for its beauty and fertile land.
7. **Arias:** From Arias, a place in Spain; meaning "of the air" or "of the sky."
8. **Arroyo:** A stream or brook; a symbol of life and renewal.
9. **Atienza:** One who is attentive or observant; a keen observer.
10. **Bautista:** A baptized person; one who has been cleansed of sin.
11. **Beltran:** From Beltran, a place in Spain; meaning "the white wolf."
12. **Belen:** The star of Bethlehem; a symbol of hope and guidance.
13. **Bernardo:** Brave bear; a strong and courageous person.
14. **Blanco:** White; a symbol of purity and innocence.
15. **Borja:** From Borja, a place in Spain; meaning "the ford."
16. **Cabrera:** A goat herder; one who is skilled and resourceful.
17. **Calderon:** A cauldron; a symbol of transformation and change.
18. **Campos:** Fields or plains; a symbol of abundance and prosperity.
19. **Canlas:** From Canlas, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many trees."
20. **Caparas:** A place in the Philippines; known for its beauty and natural resources.
21. **Carpio:** A carpenter; a skilled craftsman.
22. **Castillo:** A castle; a symbol of strength and protection.
23. **Castro:** From Castro, a place in Spain; meaning "the camp."
24. **Catalan:** From Catalonia, a region in Spain; known for its vibrant culture and history.
25. **Cayetano:** One who is cheerful and joyful; a person who brings happiness.
26. **Cojuangco:** From Cojuangco, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many coconuts."
27. **Cruz:** Cross; a symbol of faith and sacrifice.
28. **Cunanan:** From Cunanan, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many ants."
29. **De Guzman:** From Guzman, a place in Spain; meaning "son of the wolf."
30. **Dela Cruz:** From the cross; a symbol of faith and sacrifice.
31. **Del Rosario:** From the rosary; a symbol of prayer and devotion.
32. **Diaz:** From Diaz, a place in Spain; meaning "the day."
33. **Domingo:** Sunday; a day of rest and worship.
34. **Enriquez:** From Enrique, a king of Spain; a person who is strong and righteous.
35. **Esguerra:** From Esguerra, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many rocks."
36. **Espinosa:** From Espinosa, a place in Spain; meaning "the thorn."
37. **Evangelista:** One who spreads the gospel; a bearer of good news.
38. **Fabia:** A blacksmith; a skilled craftsman.
39. **Fernandez:** From Fernando, a king of Spain; a person who is brave and courageous.
40. **Flores:** Flowers; a symbol of beauty and joy.
41. **Francisco:** From Francis, a saint known for his love of God and humanity.
42. **Garcia:** From Garcia, a place in Spain; meaning "the bear."
43. **Gatchalian:** From Gatchalian, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many goats."
44. **Gonzales:** From Gonzalez, a place in Spain; meaning "the son of Gonçalo."
45. **Guevarra:** From Guevara, a place in Spain; meaning "the war."
46. **Hernandez:** From Hernandez, a place in Spain; meaning "the son of Hernando."
47. **Herrera:** From Herrera, a place in Spain; meaning "the smith."
48. **Jimenez:** From Jimenez, a place in Spain; meaning "the son of Jaime."
49. **Jose:** God will increase; a person who is blessed and prosperous.
50. **Juana:** God is gracious; a person who is kind and compassionate.
51. **Lagdameo:** From Lagdameo, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many bamboos."
52. **Ledesma:** From Ledesma, a place in Spain; meaning "the place of the leader."
53. **Leon:** Lion; a symbol of strength and courage.
54. **Lim:** From Lim, a place in China; meaning "forest."
55. **Lopez:** From Lopez, a place in Spain; meaning "the wolf."
56. **Lucena:** From Lucena, a place in Spain; meaning "the light."
57. **Magno:** Great; one who is powerful and influential.
58. **Manalastas:** From Manalastas, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many stars."
59. **Manalo:** From Manalo, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many houses."
60. **Marcos:** From Marcus, a Roman name; meaning "war god."
61. **Marquez:** From Marquez, a place in Spain; meaning "the market."
62. **Martinez:** From Martinez, a place in Spain; meaning "the son of Martin."
63. **Matute:** From Matute, a place in Spain; meaning "the one who waits."
64. **Medina:** From Medina, a place in Saudi Arabia; meaning "the city."
65. **Mendoza:** From Mendoza, a place in Spain; meaning "the mountain."
66. **Mercado:** From Mercado, a place in Spain; meaning "the market."
67. **Miranda:** From Miranda, a place in Spain; meaning "to look at."
68. **Mondejar:** From Mondejar, a place in Spain; meaning "the world."
69. **Montemayor:** From Montemayor, a place in Spain; meaning "the highest mountain."
70. **Moreno:** From Moreno, a place in Spain; meaning "the dark one."
71. **Morales:** From Morales, a place in Spain; meaning "the customs."
72. **Moro:** Moor; a person of Arab descent.
73. **Nava:** From Nava, a place in Spain; meaning "the ship."
74. **Navarro:** From Navarro, a place in Spain; meaning "the sailor."
75. **Neri:** From Neri, a place in Italy; meaning "the black one."
76. **Nieves:** Snow; a symbol of purity and beauty.
77. **Noble:** One who is of noble birth; a person of high social standing.
78. **Ocampo:** From Ocampo, a place in Spain; meaning "the field."
79. **Ochoa:** From Ochoa, a place in Spain; meaning "the eighth."
80. **Oliveros:** Olive tree; a symbol of peace and prosperity.
81. **Ortega:** From Ortega, a place in Spain; meaning "the bear."
82. **Padilla:** From Padilla, a place in Spain; meaning "the small pad."
83. **Panganiban:** From Panganiban, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many mangoes."
84. **Pardo:** From Pardo, a place in Spain; meaning "the leopard."
85. **Pascual:** From Pascal, a Roman name; meaning "Easter."
86. **Pastor:** Shepherd; one who guides and protects.
87. **Perez:** From Perez, a place in Spain; meaning "the son of Pedro."
88. **Philippines:** From King Philip II of Spain; a name given to the archipelago.
89. **Pimentel:** From Pimentel, a place in Spain; meaning "the stone."
90. **Pineda:** From Pineda, a place in Spain; meaning "the pine tree."
91. **Pinlac:** From Pinlac, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many pines."
92. **Ponce:** From Ponce, a place in Spain; meaning "the bridge."
93. **Quezon:** From Quezon, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many hills."
94. **Quijano:** From Quijano, a place in Spain; meaning "the quiet one."
95. **Ramos:** From Ramos, a place in Spain; meaning "the branch."
96. **Reyes:** Kings; a symbol of power and authority.
97. **Rivera:** From Rivera, a place in Spain; meaning "the river."
98. **Rizal:** From Rizal, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many rice fields."
99. **Rodriguez:** From Rodriguez, a place in Spain; meaning "the son of Rodrigo."
100. **Romero:** From Romero, a place in Spain; meaning "the pilgrim."
101. **Rosales:** From Rosales, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many roses."
102. **Rubio:** Red; a symbol of passion and strength.
103. **Rueda:** Wheel; a symbol of progress and change.
104. **Ruiz:** From Ruiz, a place in Spain; meaning "the red one."
105. **Salazar:** From Salazar, a place in Spain; meaning "the salt seller."
106. **Sanchez:** From Sanchez, a place in Spain; meaning "the holy one."
107. **Santos:** Saints; people who are holy and virtuous.
108. **Sarmiento:** From Sarmiento, a place in Spain; meaning "the branch."
109. **Sevilla:** From Seville, a city in Spain; known for its beauty and culture.
110. **Sison:** From Sison, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many rivers."
111. **Solano:** From Solano, a place in Spain; meaning "the sunny one."
112. **Soriano:** From Soriano, a place in Spain; meaning "the black one."
113. **Suarez:** From Suarez, a place in Spain; meaning "the wild boar."
114. **Tamayo:** From Tamayo, a place in Spain; meaning "the big hill."
115. **Tan:** From Tan, a place in China; meaning "field."
116. **Teodoro:** A gift from God; a person who is blessed and favored.
117. **Torres:** Towers; a symbol of strength and protection.
118. **Valdez:** From Valdez, a place in Spain; meaning "the strong valley."
119. **Valenzuela:** From Valenzuela, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many flowers."
120. **Velasquez:** From Velasquez, a place in Spain; meaning "the little veil."
121. **Villar:** From Villar, a place in Spain; meaning "the town."
122. **Villanueva:** From Villanueva, a place in Spain; meaning "the new town."
123. **Villegas:** From Villegas, a place in Spain; meaning "the town of the wolf."
124. **Virrey:** Viceroy; a representative of the king.
125. **Yabut:** From Yabut, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many rocks."
126. **Zabala:** From Zabala, a place in Spain; meaning "the place of the ford."
127. **Zamora:** From Zamora, a place in Spain; meaning "the place of the olive trees."
128. **Zapanta:** From Zapanta, a place in the Philippines; meaning "a place with many coconut trees."
129. **Zaragoza:** From Zaragoza, a city in Spain; known for its history and culture.
130. **Zulueta:** From Zulueta, a place in Spain; meaning "the place of the wolf."