Philippines Common Last Names: A Guide to Filipino Surnames

Looking for insights into the most common last names in the Philippines? This comprehensive list explores the diverse origins and meanings behind these surnames, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of the Filipino people. From Spanish influences to indigenous roots, discover the stories behind the names that define Filipino identity. Explore the meanings and history of these widespread surnames, revealing a deeper understanding of the nation's heritage and ancestry.
1. **Aguilar:** Eagle; one who is strong and courageous.
2. **Alcantara:** A place name, possibly derived from the Spanish "Alcantara" which refers to a bridge.
3. **Alvarez:** Son of Alvaro; a Germanic name meaning "wise elf" or "all-powerful elf."
4. **Amado:** Beloved; a name of Spanish origin.
5. **Andrada:** From the Spanish "Andrada," meaning "a place near the water."
6. **Aquino:** A place name; possibly derived from the Spanish "Aquin" which means "one who is from Aquinum."
7. **Arias:** A Spanish surname meaning "noble" or "of noble lineage."
8. **Bautista:** One who was baptized; a name of Spanish origin.
9. **Bernardo:** Brave as a bear; a name of Spanish origin.
10. **Cabrera:** Goat herder; a Spanish surname.
11. **Cagampang:** A place name; possibly derived from the Tagalog word "kagampang," meaning "easy to reach."
12. **Calderon:** From the Spanish "Calderón," meaning "cauldron."
13. **Campos:** Fields; a Spanish surname.
14. **Capulong:** A place name; possibly derived from the Tagalog word "kapulong," meaning "a type of tree."
15. **Carpio:** Carp; a Spanish surname.
16. **Castillo:** Castle; a Spanish surname.
17. **Castro:** Castle; a Spanish surname.
18. **Catapang:** A place name; possibly derived from the Tagalog word "katapang," meaning "brave."
19. **Cayetano:** One who is happy; a name of Spanish origin.
20. **Cruz:** Cross; a Spanish surname.
21. **David:** Beloved; a Hebrew name.
22. **De Guzman:** From the Spanish "Guzman," meaning "son of Gumersindo."
23. **Del Rosario:** From the Spanish "Rosario," meaning "rosary."
24. **Diaz:** From the Spanish "Díaz," meaning "day."
25. **Domingo:** From the Spanish "Domingo," meaning "Sunday."
26. **Estrada:** From the Spanish "Estada," meaning "road."
27. **Flores:** Flowers; a Spanish surname.
28. **Fortunato:** Lucky; a name of Spanish origin.
29. **Garcia:** Son of Garcia; a Spanish surname.
30. **Gonzales:** Son of Gonzalo; a Spanish surname.
31. **Guevarra:** A place name; possibly derived from the Spanish "Guevara."
32. **Hernandez:** Son of Hernando; a Spanish surname.
33. **Jimenez:** Son of Jaime; a Spanish surname.
34. **Jose:** God will increase; a Hebrew name.
35. **Lacson:** From the Spanish "Lacson," meaning "a type of fish."
36. **Ledesma:** From the Spanish "Ledesma," meaning "a place with many trees."
37. **Lim:** A Chinese surname meaning "border" or "edge."
38. **Lopez:** Son of Lope; a Spanish surname.
39. **Luna:** Moon; a Spanish surname.
40. **Macaraig:** A place name; possibly derived from the Tagalog word "makaraig," meaning "to imitate."
41. **Magno:** Great; a name of Spanish origin.
42. **Malaya:** Free; a Filipino word.
43. **Manalo:** Victorious; a Tagalog word.
44. **Marquez:** From the Spanish "Márquez," meaning "marcher."
45. **Martinez:** Son of Martin; a Spanish surname.
46. **Medina:** From the Spanish "Medina," meaning "city."
47. **Melendres:** From the Spanish "Meléndez," meaning "honey."
48. **Mercado:** Market; a Spanish surname.
49. **Miranda:** From the Spanish "Miranda," meaning "to look at."
50. **Molina:** Mill; a Spanish surname.
51. **Montemayor:** Greater mountain; a Spanish surname.
52. **Morales:** From the Spanish "Morales," meaning "manners" or "morals."
53. **Moreno:** Dark-skinned; a Spanish surname.
54. **Mendoza:** From the Spanish "Mendoza," meaning "a place with many mountains."
55. **Navarro:** From the Spanish "Navarro," meaning "one who comes from Navarre."
56. **Nolasco:** From the Spanish "Nolasco," meaning "a place in Spain."
57. **Ochoa:** From the Spanish "Ochoa," meaning "eighth."
58. **Oliveros:** Olive tree; a Spanish surname.
59. **Ong:** A Chinese surname meaning "king" or "emperor."
60. **Ordonez:** From the Spanish "Ordóñez," meaning "golden."
61. **Padilla:** From the Spanish "Padilla," meaning "a place with many trees."
62. **Palma:** Palm tree; a Spanish surname.
63. **Panganiban:** A place name; possibly derived from the Tagalog word "panganiban," meaning "to be in danger."
64. **Pardo:** Brown; a Spanish surname.
65. **Pascual:** From the Spanish "Pascual," meaning "Easter."
66. **Pastor:** Shepherd; a Spanish surname.
67. **Perez:** From the Spanish "Pérez," meaning "Peter."
68. **Philippine:** From the Spanish "Filipina," meaning "lover of horses."
69. **Quezon:** A place name; possibly derived from the Tagalog word "quezon," meaning "a type of tree."
70. **Ramirez:** From the Spanish "Ramírez," meaning "son of Ramiro."
71. **Reyes:** Kings; a Spanish surname.
72. **Rivera:** From the Spanish "Rivera," meaning "river."
73. **Rodriguez:** From the Spanish "Rodríguez," meaning "son of Rodrigo."
74. **Romero:** From the Spanish "Romero," meaning "pilgrim to Rome."
75. **Rosales:** From the Spanish "Rosales," meaning "rose bushes."
76. **Sandoval:** From the Spanish "Sandoval," meaning "a place with many hills."
77. **Santos:** Saints; a Spanish surname.
78. **Sebastian:** Reverence; a Greek name.
79. **Serrano:** From the Spanish "Serrano," meaning "mountain dweller."
80. **Sevilla:** From the Spanish "Sevilla," meaning "a city in Spain."
81. **Silva:** From the Spanish "Silva," meaning "forest."
82. **Singh:** Lion; a Hindi name.
83. **So:** A Chinese surname meaning "to be" or "to exist."
84. **Solano:** From the Spanish "Solano," meaning "from the sun."
85. **Soriano:** From the Spanish "Soriano," meaning "from Soria."
86. **Suarez:** From the Spanish "Suárez," meaning "son of Suárez."
87. **Sy:** A Chinese surname meaning "west" or "sunset."
88. **Tan:** A Chinese surname meaning "red" or "brown."
89. **Teodoro:** Gift of God; a Greek name.
90. **Torres:** Towers; a Spanish surname.
91. **Valdez:** From the Spanish "Valdés," meaning "son of Valdes."
92. **Valenzuela:** From the Spanish "Valenzuela," meaning "a place with many valleys."
93. **Vargas:** From the Spanish "Vargas," meaning "man of the valley."
94. **Vasquez:** Son of Vasco; a Spanish surname.
95. **Velasquez:** From the Spanish "Velázquez," meaning "little veil."
96. **Ventura:** Good fortune; a name of Spanish origin.
97. **Vera:** True; a Spanish surname.
98. **Villa:** Town; a Spanish surname.
99. **Villanueva:** New town; a Spanish surname.
100. **Villareal:** Royal town; a Spanish surname.