Puerto Rican Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you interested in learning more about the rich history and diverse origins of Puerto Rican last names? This comprehensive guide provides a list of over 40 common Puerto Rican surnames, accompanied by detailed explanations of their meanings, origins, and cultural significance. Explore the fascinating stories behind these names and gain a deeper understanding of the island's heritage.
1. **Acosta:** From the Basque word "akosta," meaning "rocky place" or "high coast."
2. **Alvarado:** Derived from the Spanish word "alvar," meaning "white," and "ado," meaning "place." It signifies "place of white rocks."
3. **Alvarez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Alvaro," which itself means "noble protector."
4. **Andino:** From the Spanish word "Andes," referring to the Andes Mountains, suggesting an origin from or connection to the Andean region.
5. **Angulo:** From the Spanish word "ángulo," meaning "angle." It may refer to a geographical feature or a personality trait.
6. **Aponte:** A variant of the Spanish surname "Aponte," potentially meaning "pointed" or "sharp."
7. **Arroyo:** Meaning "stream" or "brook" in Spanish, indicating an origin near a waterway.
8. **Ayala:** From the Spanish word "ayala," meaning "eagle." It may also refer to a specific place in Spain.
9. **Baez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Baez," potentially derived from a Germanic personal name.
10. **Barreto:** From the Spanish word "barreto," which may refer to a type of helmet or a specific place in Spain.
11. **Bautista:** A Christian surname meaning "baptized" or "one who has been baptized."
12. **Benitez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Benito," a Spanish name derived from the Latin "Benedictus," meaning "blessed."
13. **Berrios:** Likely derived from a Basque surname, possibly meaning "sheepfold" or "sheep pen."
14. **Betancourt:** From the Spanish words "beta," meaning "beet," and "court," potentially referring to a place with beet fields.
15. **Bonilla:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Bonilla," likely originating from a Spanish personal name.
16. **Cabrera:** From the Spanish word "cabra," meaning "goat," suggesting an origin near a mountainous area where goats are common.
17. **Calderon:** From the Spanish word "calderón," meaning "large cauldron," potentially referencing a place or occupation.
18. **Camacho:** From the Spanish word "camacho," meaning "a type of cloth or fabric," potentially alluding to a textile trade.
19. **Cancel:** From the Spanish word "cancel," meaning "to cancel or void," likely referring to a specific action or place.
20. **Caraballo:** Derived from the Spanish word "caraballo," meaning "ox" or "large horse," suggesting an association with agriculture or transportation.
21. **Cardona:** From the Spanish word "cardona," meaning "thistle" or "cardoon," potentially referring to a specific location or plant.
22. **Carrasquillo:** A variant of the Spanish surname "Carrasco," possibly meaning "oak grove" or "oak forest."
23. **Castillo:** Meaning "castle" in Spanish, indicating an origin near a fortified structure.
24. **Colon:** From the Spanish word "colón," meaning "dove," potentially referencing a place or a personality trait.
25. **Cordero:** Meaning "lamb" in Spanish, likely referencing a place or occupation related to sheepherding.
26. **Correa:** From the Spanish word "correa," meaning "leather strap" or "strap," potentially referencing a trade or occupation.
27. **Cruz:** Meaning "cross" in Spanish, reflecting a Christian religious connection.
28. **Diaz:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Diego," a Spanish name meaning "rich" or "wealthy."
29. **Dominguez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Domingo," a Spanish name meaning "belonging to the Lord."
30. **Figueroa:** From the Spanish word "figueroa," meaning "fig tree," suggesting an origin near a fig tree or fig orchard.
31. **Flores:** Meaning "flowers" in Spanish, potentially referencing a place or occupation related to floriculture.
32. **Fontanez:** From the Spanish word "fuente," meaning "fountain" or "spring," likely referring to a specific location.
33. **Garcia:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Garcia," a Spanish name meaning "spearman" or "warrior."
34. **Gonzalez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Gonzalo," a Spanish name meaning "renowned warrior."
35. **Gómez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Gómez," a Spanish name meaning "spearman" or "warrior."
36. **Hernandez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Hernando," a Spanish name meaning "brave" or "strong."
37. **Jimenez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Jaime," a Spanish name meaning "supplanter" or "he who takes the place of another."
38. **Lizardi:** From the Spanish word "lizardo," meaning "lizard," potentially referencing a specific place or animal.
39. **Lopez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Lope," a Spanish name meaning "wolf."
40. **Lugo:** From the Spanish word "lugo," meaning "place where wolves are found," potentially referencing a specific location.
41. **Machuca:** From the Spanish word "machaca," meaning "to crush or grind," potentially referencing a trade or occupation.
42. **Maldonado:** From the Spanish word "mal," meaning "bad," and "donado," meaning "given," potentially referencing a place or event.
43. **Marquez:** From the Spanish word "marqués," meaning "marquis," a title of nobility.
44. **Martinez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Martín," a Spanish name meaning "warlike" or "belligerent."
45. **Mateo:** From the Spanish word "Mateo," meaning "gift of God," a Christian name derived from the Hebrew "Mattityahu."
46. **Melendez:** From the Spanish word "mel," meaning "honey," and "endez," potentially referring to a place with honey-producing bees.
47. **Mendez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Mendo," a Spanish name derived from the Germanic "Munding," meaning "protector."
48. **Mercado:** From the Spanish word "mercado," meaning "market," potentially referencing a place or occupation.
49. **Miranda:** From the Spanish word "mirar," meaning "to look" or "to see," potentially referencing a geographical location or personality trait.
50. **Montero:** From the Spanish word "monte," meaning "mountain," and "ero," potentially referencing a place or occupation related to mountain hunting.
51. **Mora:** From the Spanish word "mora," meaning "blackberry," potentially referencing a place or occupation related to blackberry farming.
52. **Moreno:** From the Spanish word "moreno," meaning "dark" or "brown," potentially referencing a physical characteristic or origin.
53. **Munoz:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Muñoz," a Spanish name derived from the Latin "Mucius," meaning "mute."
54. **Naranjo:** From the Spanish word "naranjo," meaning "orange tree," potentially referencing a place or occupation related to orange farming.
55. **Nieves:** Meaning "snow" in Spanish, potentially referencing a place or event related to snow.
56. **Ortiz:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Ortíz," a Spanish name derived from the Latin "Horatius," meaning "one who guards."
57. **Otero:** From the Spanish word "otero," meaning "high place" or "hill," potentially referencing a geographical feature.
58. **Padilla:** From the Spanish word "padilla," meaning "small paddle," potentially referencing a trade or occupation.
59. **Pantoja:** From the Spanish word "pantoja," meaning "mime" or "puppet show," potentially referencing a trade or occupation.
60. **Perez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Pedro," a Spanish name meaning "rock" or "stone."
61. **Pina:** From the Spanish word "piña," meaning "pineapple," potentially referencing a place or occupation related to pineapple farming.
62. **Rivera:** From the Spanish word "río," meaning "river," indicating an origin near a river or river bank.
63. **Rodriguez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Rodrigo," a Spanish name meaning "famous ruler."
64. **Roman:** From the Latin word "Romanus," meaning "Roman," indicating a connection to the Roman Empire.
65. **Rosario:** From the Spanish word "rosario," meaning "rosary," a Catholic prayer beads.
66. **Ruiz:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Ruy," a Spanish name meaning "red."
67. **Salazar:** From the Spanish word "sal," meaning "salt," and "azar," potentially referencing a place or occupation related to salt production.
68. **Sanchez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Sancho," a Spanish name meaning "consecrated to Saint Pancras."
69. **Santiago:** From the Spanish word "Santiago," meaning "Saint James," a Christian name derived from the Hebrew "Ya'akov."
70. **Santos:** Meaning "saints" in Spanish, reflecting a Christian religious connection.
71. **Silva:** From the Latin word "silva," meaning "forest," potentially referencing a place or occupation related to forestry.
72. **Torres:** Meaning "towers" in Spanish, indicating an origin near a tower or fortified structure.
73. **Valdes:** From the Spanish word "val," meaning "valley," and "des," potentially referencing a specific location.
74. **Vargas:** From the Spanish word "vargas," meaning "reed" or "rush," potentially referencing a place or occupation related to reed production.
75. **Vega:** From the Spanish word "vega," meaning "plain" or "meadow," potentially referencing a geographical feature.
76. **Velasquez:** From the Spanish word "vela," meaning "sail," and "quez," potentially referencing a place or occupation related to sailing.
77. **Velez:** From the Spanish word "vélez," meaning "a type of hawk," potentially referencing a place or animal.
78. **Ventura:** From the Spanish word "ventura," meaning "fortune" or "luck," potentially referencing a place or event.
79. **Vera:** From the Spanish word "vera," meaning "true" or "authentic," potentially referencing a personality trait or origin.
80. **Viera:** From the Spanish word "viera," meaning "scallop," potentially referencing a place or animal.
81. **Villanueva:** From the Spanish words "villa," meaning "town," and "nueva," meaning "new," indicating a new town or settlement.
82. **Villegas:** From the Spanish word "villa," meaning "town," and "gas," potentially referencing a specific location.
83. **Viruet:** From the Spanish word "vir," meaning "man," and "uet," potentially referencing a place or person.
84. **Yanez:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Yáñez," a Spanish name meaning "Yahweh is gracious."
85. **Zayas:** From the Spanish word "zaya," meaning "to flee" or "to escape," potentially referencing a specific event or place.
86. **Zepeda:** From the Spanish word "zepeda," potentially referring to a specific place or animal.
87. **Zorrilla:** From the Spanish word "zorrillo," meaning "skunk," potentially referencing a place or animal.