Spanish Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Spanish last names, also known as apellidos, are a rich tapestry of history, culture, and language. They offer a glimpse into the diverse origins and heritage of Spanish people. This guide provides a comprehensive list of common Spanish last names, exploring their meanings and etymological roots. From ancient Roman influences to Arabic heritage, the surnames reveal fascinating stories of migration, conquest, and cultural exchange.
1. **Alonso:** From the Germanic name "Aelfwine," meaning "elf friend" or "noble friend."
2. **Alvarez:** Descendant of "Álvaro," a Germanic name meaning "wise protector."
3. **Arias:** Meaning "noble," "warrior," or "man of honor," derived from the Latin "Arias."
4. **Arroyo:** Meaning "stream" or "brook," referring to a geographical feature.
5. **Barajas:** Of Basque origin, possibly meaning "place of barley" or "high place."
6. **Barceló:** From the Catalan city of Barcelona.
7. **Benítez:** Meaning "son of Benito," a Latin name meaning "blessed" or "happy."
8. **Blanco:** Meaning "white," possibly referring to a person with fair skin or light hair.
9. **Borges:** From the Basque word "borga," meaning "a small hill or mound."
10. **Cabrera:** Meaning "goat herder" or "goatherd," derived from the Latin "caper."
11. **Calvo:** Meaning "bald," a descriptive surname referring to a person's lack of hair.
12. **Campos:** Meaning "fields," a geographical surname referring to an area of open land.
13. **Cánovas:** Possibly derived from "cana," meaning "gray hair," or "canova," meaning "hut" or "small house."
14. **Carrasco:** Meaning "oak grove" or "oak tree," derived from the Spanish word "carrasca."
15. **Castillo:** Meaning "castle," referring to a fortified building or a noble lineage.
16. **Castro:** Meaning "castle" or "fortified place," derived from the Latin "castrum."
17. **Cervantes:** Meaning "a place where deer are found," derived from the Spanish word "ciervo."
18. **Collado:** Meaning "neck" or "hill pass," referring to a geographical feature.
19. **Corral:** Meaning "enclosure" or "corral," referring to a fenced-in area for livestock.
20. **Costa:** Meaning "coast" or "shoreline," a geographical surname referring to a coastline.
21. **Díaz:** Meaning "son of Diego," a Spanish name meaning "rich" or "prosperous."
22. **Domínguez:** Meaning "son of Domingo," a Spanish name meaning "belonging to the Lord."
23. **Fernández:** Meaning "son of Fernando," a Germanic name meaning "peaceful journey."
24. **Flores:** Meaning "flowers," possibly referring to a person's beauty or a location with abundant flowers.
25. **García:** Meaning "son of Garci," a Germanic name meaning "spear" or "warrior."
26. **Gómez:** Meaning "son of Gomo," a Germanic name meaning "man of the gods."
27. **González:** Meaning "son of Gonzalo," a Germanic name meaning "warrior" or "fighter."
28. **Hernández:** Meaning "son of Hernando," a Germanic name meaning "brave ruler."
29. **Iglesias:** Meaning "churches," referring to a place of worship or a family's association with the clergy.
30. **Jiménez:** Meaning "son of Jaime," a Spanish name meaning "supplanter" or "he who takes the place of another."
31. **Jurado:** Meaning "sworn," referring to a person who has taken an oath of office or a person who serves on a jury.
32. **Lara:** Meaning "a place where laurels grow," derived from the Latin "laurus."
33. **López:** Meaning "son of Lope," a Spanish name meaning "wolf cub."
34. **Lorenzo:** From the Latin name "Laurentius," meaning "laurel crowned."
35. **Losa:** Meaning "flagstone" or "paving stone," a geographical surname referring to a type of stone.
36. **Mendoza:** Meaning "mountain of the goats," derived from the Basque words "mendi" and "antza."
37. **Méndez:** Meaning "son of Menendo," a Germanic name meaning "man of the mind."
38. **Miranda:** Meaning "to be admired" or "worthy of admiration," derived from the Latin "mirari."
39. **Moreno:** Meaning "dark," "brown," or "black," a descriptive surname referring to a person's complexion.
40. **Muñoz:** Meaning "son of Muñoz," a Spanish name of uncertain origin, possibly meaning "strong" or "defiant."
41. **Navarro:** Meaning "from Navarre," a region in Spain.
42. **Nieto:** Meaning "grandson," indicating a familial relationship.
43. **Núñez:** Meaning "son of Nuño," a Germanic name meaning "bold" or "brave."
44. **Olivera:** Meaning "olive tree," derived from the Latin "oliva."
45. **Ortega:** Meaning "bear," a surname of Basque origin.
46. **Pérez:** Meaning "son of Pedro," a Spanish name meaning "rock" or "stone."
47. **Ponce:** Meaning "bridge," referring to a geographical feature or a person who lived near a bridge.
48. **Ramírez:** Meaning "son of Ramiro," a Germanic name meaning "famous protector."
49. **Reyes:** Meaning "kings," referring to a family's connection to royalty or a person's noble status.
50. **Rodríguez:** Meaning "son of Rodrigo," a Germanic name meaning "famous ruler."
51. **Romero:** Meaning "pilgrim" or "person who goes to Rome," derived from the Latin "romanus."
52. **Ruiz:** Meaning "son of Ruy," a Spanish name of Germanic origin, meaning "famous" or "renowned."
53. **Sánchez:** Meaning "son of Sancho," a Germanic name meaning "defender" or "warrior."
54. **Santos:** Meaning "saints," referring to a family's connection to the church or a person's devotion to religion.
55. **Sanz:** Meaning "healthy" or "sound," derived from the Latin "saneus."
56. **Serrano:** Meaning "mountain dweller," derived from the Spanish word "sierra," meaning "mountain range."
57. **Silva:** Meaning "forest," referring to a place with dense trees or a family's connection to the forest.
58. **Soto:** Meaning "grove" or "underwood," referring to a small wooded area.
59. **Suárez:** Meaning "son of Suero," a Germanic name meaning "winner" or "victorious."
60. **Torres:** Meaning "towers," referring to a fortified building or a family's connection to a tower.
61. **Valdés:** Meaning "from the valley," derived from the Spanish word "valle."
62. **Vargas:** Meaning "a place where there are vines," derived from the Latin "vitis."
63. **Vega:** Meaning "plain" or "meadow," referring to a flat area of land.
64. **Velasco:** Meaning "old man" or "elder," possibly referring to a person's age or wisdom.
65. **Vidal:** Meaning "life," possibly referring to a person's vitality or a family's prosperity.
66. **Villa:** Meaning "town," "village," or "settlement," referring to a geographical location.
67. **Villanueva:** Meaning "new town," referring to a newly founded settlement.
68. **Viñas:** Meaning "vineyards," referring to a place where grapes are grown.
69. **Zapata:** Meaning "shoe," possibly referring to a cobbler or a person who wore a specific type of shoe.
70. **Zayas:** Possibly derived from the Arabic word "zay," meaning "olive tree."