Basque Last Names: A Deep Dive into Meaning and Origin

Basque last names, often reflecting the rich history and culture of the Basque people, offer a fascinating glimpse into their ancestral heritage. From ancient roots to modern-day variations, these surnames carry unique meanings and stories that connect individuals to their past. This comprehensive list explores the origins and significance of over 40 Basque last names, providing a detailed understanding of their linguistic and cultural context.
1. **Aginagalde**: "From the place of the meadows"
2. **Aizpurua**: "Stone house" or "House of stones"
3. **Albizu**: "White tree"
4. **Alkorta**: "High meadow"
5. **Amezaga**: "Place of the ash tree"
6. **Andueza**: "Place of the mill"
7. **Aranburu**: "Place where the heather grows"
8. **Aranguren**: "Place of the cranes"
9. **Areso**: "Dry place"
10. **Arguiñano**: "Place of the cranes"
11. **Arriola**: "Place of the rock"
12. **Arruabarrena**: "Place of the bridge"
13. **Astigarraga**: "Place of the thorns"
14. **Azurmendi**: "Blue mountain"
15. **Badiola**: "Place of the sheepfold"
16. **Barandiaran**: "Place of the miller"
17. **Barcina**: "Small fence" or "Small garden"
18. **Barrenechea**: "Place of the old house"
19. **Basauri**: "Place of the hawks"
20. **Beitia**: "Place of the path"
21. **Beloki**: "Place of the sheep"
22. **Berastegi**: "Place of the new house"
23. **Bergara**: "Place of the heather"
24. **Berroeta**: "Red place"
25. **Bilbao**: "Place of the mills"
26. **Bustamante**: "Place of the beautiful men"
27. **Cánovas**: "Place of the canes"
28. **Carrascosa**: "Place of the oaks"
29. **Casasola**: "Place of the houses"
30. **Castañeda**: "Place of the chestnut trees"
31. **Echevarría**: "Place of the horses"
32. **Elorza**: "Place of the beech trees"
33. **Etxeberria**: "Place of the house"
34. **Etxebarria**: "Place of the house"
35. **Fernández**: "Son of Fernando"
36. **García**: "Son of Garcia"
37. **Goikoetxea**: "Place of the house above"
38. **Gómez**: "Son of Gómez"
39. **Hernández**: "Son of Hernán"
40. **Ibarguren**: "Place of the valley of the cranes"
41. **Iñurrieta**: "Place of the elderberry tree"
42. **Iriarte**: "Place of the iron"
43. **Larrañaga**: "Place of the meadow"
44. **Lasa**: "Place of the stone"
45. **Lezama**: "Place of the meadows"
46. **Lizarraga**: "Place of the ash tree"
47. **Loaiza**: "Place of the wolves"
48. **López**: "Son of Lope"
49. **Martínez**: "Son of Martín"
50. **Mendizabal**: "Place of the sheepfold on the mountain"
51. **Mendiguren**: "Place of the mountain of the cranes"
52. **Molina**: "Place of the mill"
53. **Murúa**: "Place of the wall"
54. **Ochoa**: "Place of the eight"
55. **Olaizola**: "Place of the mill on the meadow"
56. **Ortega**: "Place of the bear"
57. **Pérez**: "Son of Pedro"
58. **Rodrigo**: "Son of Rodrigo"
59. **Ruiz**: "Son of Rodrigo"
60. **Sáenz**: "Son of Sancho"
61. **Salazar**: "Place of the salt"
62. **Sancho**: "Son of Sancho"
63. **Sanz**: "Son of Sancho"
64. **Santamaría**: "Holy Mary"
65. **Santiago**: "Saint James"
66. **Segura**: "Safe place"
67. **Soria**: "Place of the ash trees"
68. **Uranga**: "Place of the river"
69. **Varela**: "Place of the meadow"
70. **Vázquez**: "Son of Vasco"
71. **Vega**: "Place of the meadow"
72. **Velázquez**: "Son of Velázquez"
73. **Vicente**: "Son of Vicente"
74. **Villa**: "Place of the village"
75. **Villanueva**: "New village"
76. **Zabalza**: "Place of the meadows"
77. **Zabaleta**: "Place of the meadow"
78. **Zarate**: "Place of the grove"
79. **Zubiaurre**: "Place of the bridge"
80. **Zugazagoitia**: "Place of the sugar"