Last Names in Spanish
Ever wondered about the meaning behind some of the most common last names in Spanish? Read on to satisfy your curiosity!
Patronymics
The last names in this first list are patronymics, which are names derived from the name of a male ancestor.
- In Spanish, last names ending in -es, -ez, -is, or -oz are often patronymics.
- In English, names ending in -son or beginning with Fitz-, O'-, or Mc-/Mac- are patronymics.
Let's take a look at some examples of common patronymic last names in Spanish!
García Guesswork
The jury's still out on the origins of the last name García. A patronymic meaning son of García (García being a name in its own right), some sources claim it comes from the Basque word for "young." Other sources claim it comes from the Basque word for "bear," while still others say it comes from the Iberian for "graceful prince." Whatever it means, this apellido(last name) is one of the most widespread in the Spanish-speaking world.
Man and Nature
Many Spanish apellidos come from the names of objects from the natural world, such as plants, animals, or geographical features. Last names associated with man-made structures or abstract concepts are also common. Here are just a few examples.
Occupations and Descriptions
Some Spanish last names come from common occupations or from physical descriptions. Here are a few examples.
| Last Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bravo | brave |
| Cortés | courteous |
| Delgado | thin |
| Grande | large |
| Guerrero | warrior |
| Herrero | blacksmith |
| Moreno | dark, brown |
| Reyes | kings |
| Rubio | blond |
| Vicario | vicar |
| Zapatero | shoemaker |
Habitational Last Names
Many Spanish last names are habitational, meaning they come from the names of villages, cities, states, etc. Here are some examples of habitational last names linked to a few familiar faces from the Spanish-speaking world.
Are you thinking about traveling around the Spanish-speaking world? Learn how to sound like a local all over with these articles:
