Spanish Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Meanings

Spanish last names, often referred to as apellidos, are a rich tapestry of history, culture, and personal identity. These names, passed down through generations, offer fascinating insights into the origins and traditions of Spanish families. This comprehensive guide explores the meanings behind some of the most common and intriguing Spanish surnames, providing a deeper understanding of their significance.
1. **Alvarez:** Son of Alvaro, a Germanic name meaning "wise elf."
2. **Alonso:** Son of Alonso, a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Alwin" meaning "noble friend."
3. **Arias:** Of noble lineage, descended from a prominent family.
4. **Barrios:** From the word "barrio," meaning "neighborhood" or "district."
5. **Blanco:** White, indicating fair skin or light hair.
6. **Bravo:** Brave, courageous, or valiant.
7. **Cabrera:** Goat keeper, possibly referring to an occupation or place of origin.
8. **Calderón:** Small cauldron, possibly referring to a profession or place of origin.
9. **Campos:** Fields or open land, possibly indicating a place of origin.
10. **Cánovas:** From the word "cánova," meaning "reed" or "canopy."
11. **Carrasco:** Butcher, referring to a profession.
12. **Castillo:** Castle, possibly indicating a place of origin or a family's historical connection to a castle.
13. **Castro:** Castle, referring to a place of origin.
14. **Ceballos:** From the word "ceballo," meaning "onion."
15. **Cervantes:** From the word "cervante," meaning "deer."
16. **Collado:** Hilltop or ridge, referring to a place of origin.
17. **Cortés:** From the word "corta," meaning "short."
18. **Crespo:** Curly-haired.
19. **Cruz:** Cross, possibly referring to a religious symbol or a place of origin.
20. **Díaz:** Son of Diego, a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Theodoric" meaning "rich ruler."
21. **Domínguez:** Son of Domingo, a Spanish form of the Latin name "Dominicus" meaning "belonging to the Lord."
22. **Fernández:** Son of Fernando, a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Ferdinand" meaning "brave peace."
23. **Flores:** Flowers, possibly referring to a place of origin or a family's association with flowers.
24. **García:** Son of Garci, a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Garin" meaning "spear-man."
25. **Gómez:** Son of Gome, a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Gomo" meaning "man."
26. **González:** Son of Gonzalo, a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Gunthram" meaning "battle warrior."
27. **Hernández:** Son of Hernando, a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Ferdinand" meaning "brave peace."
28. **Herrera:** Ironworker, referring to a profession.
29. **Jiménez:** Son of Jaime, a Spanish form of the Hebrew name "Jacob" meaning "supplanter."
30. **Lópes:** Son of Lope, a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Lupus" meaning "wolf."
31. **López:** Son of Lope, a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Lupus" meaning "wolf."
32. **Luque:** From the word "luque," meaning "place of light."
33. **Mendoza:** From the word "menda," meaning "hill."
34. **Miranda:** From the word "mirar," meaning "to look at."
35. **Moreno:** Dark-skinned, referring to someone with a darker complexion.
36. **Muñoz:** Son of Muño, a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Munio" meaning "protection."
37. **Navarro:** From the word "navarro," meaning "from Navarre."
38. **Núñez:** Son of Nuño, a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Nunno" meaning "bold."
39. **Ortega:** From the word "ortega," meaning "bear."
40. **Pardo:** Tawny, referring to someone with a reddish-brown complexion.
41. **Pérez:** Son of Pedro, a Spanish form of the Greek name "Petros" meaning "stone."
42. **Ramírez:** Son of Ramiro, a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Rambald" meaning "famous protector."
43. **Rodríguez:** Son of Rodrigo, a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Hrodric" meaning "famous ruler."
44. **Romero:** Pilgrim, referring to someone who makes a pilgrimage to Rome.
45. **Ruiz:** Son of Ruy, a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Rudolph" meaning "famous wolf."
46. **Sánchez:** Son of Sancho, a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Sigfrid" meaning "victorious peace."
47. **Santos:** Saints, possibly referring to a place of origin or a family's connection to a church.
48. **Serrano:** From the word "sierra," meaning "mountain range."
49. **Suárez:** Son of Suárez, a Spanish form of the Germanic name "Swein" meaning "strong."
50. **Torres:** Towers, possibly indicating a place of origin or a family's connection to a castle.
51. **Valdés:** From the word "valle," meaning "valley."
52. **Vargas:** From the word "varga," meaning "stick."
53. **Vázquez:** Son of Vasco, a Spanish form of the Basque name "Basco" meaning "from the Basque country."
54. **Vega:** Meadow or plain, referring to a place of origin.
55. **Velázquez:** From the word "velasco," meaning "hairy."
56. **Vidal:** From the word "vida," meaning "life."
57. **Villa:** From the word "villa," meaning "town."
58. **Villanueva:** New town, referring to a place of origin.
59. **Villar:** From the word "villar," meaning "farmhouse."
60. **Zapata:** Shoemaker, referring to a profession.