Like the culture they come from, Spanish last names have a strong presence around the world. As with British surnames, a mix of colonization and immigration has spread Spanish last names far and wide: from Europe to Asia to South America. Each surname connects those who bear it to their Hispanic roots, whether the name is occupational, ancestral, or characteristic.
This is not your high school Spanish class. We’re taking it a step further — conjugations aren’t the only things that hold meaning. Last names are powerful and can tell a story if you listen. Spanish-speaking countries are each distinct places with their own culture, and each holds unique histories that are sometimes reflected in those names. They can also relate to various values like family, respect, education, language, religion, and pride.
Like in many cultures, keeping your father’s last name is common practice and meant to keep you connected to your family. Even for women who get married in Hispanic culture, it’s common to keep your maiden name since it ties you to your father. For example, if Chloe Morales marries Joseph Martinez, she can change her name to Chloe Morales de Martinez, if she likes. Keeping her maiden name is one way for other family members to identify her and stay in touch.
If you’re searching for the most common Spanish last names and their meanings, you’re not alone. According to the latest search data available, this query is searched for over 33,000 times a month.
Say hola to our list of Spanish last names and check out their meanings. You’ll likely recognize some or see likenesses to Italian and French surnames since each of these languages developed from Latin.
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Common Spanish Last Names
1. Gomez
Meaning: Son of Gomesano (meaning man of the path).
2. Moreno
Meaning: A person of dark hair or complexion.
3. Rodriguez
Meaning: Son of Rodrigo (meaning powerful ruler).
4. Cano
Meaning: A person of white hair or pale complexion.
5. Fernández
Meaning: Son of Fernando (meaning journey).
6. García
Meaning: Son of Gerald (meaning bear).
7. Suarez
Meaning: Son of Suero (occupational name for a swine herder).
8. Marín
Meaning: Sailor.
9. Ruiz
Meaning: Son of Ruy (meaning powerful ruler).
10. Alonso
Meaning: Noble.
11. Iglesias
Meaning: Churches or someone who lives near a church.
12. Vidal
Meaning: Life or vital.
13. Sánchez
Meaning: Son of Sancho (meaning saintly).
14. Lopez
Meaning: Son of Lope (meaning wolf).
15. Ramírez
Meaning: Son of Ramiro (meaning famous, wise, or famous counsel).
16. Álvarez
Meaning: Son of Alvaro (meaning cautious).
17. Pérez
Meaning: Son of Pedro (meaning stone or rock).
18. Santos
Meaning: Saint or holy.
19. Gonzalez
Meaning: Son of Gonzalo (meaning war or battle).
20. Ortiz
Meaning: Son of Orti (meaning either brave or fortunate).
21. Molina
Meaning: Mill or miller.
22. Rubio
Meaning: Red-haired.
23. Castro
Meaning: Castle, fortress, or someone who lives near a castle.
24. Serrano
Meaning: Someone who lives near a mountain or hill.
25. Díaz
Meaning: Son of Diego (meaning supplanter).
26. Gil
Meaning: Shieldbearer.
27. Torres
Meaning: Tower or someone who lives near a tower.
28. Delgado
Meaning: A thin person.
29. Hernández
Meaning: Son of Hernando (variation of Fernando).
30. Romero
Meaning: A pilgrim from Rome.
31. Martinez
Meaning: Son of Martin (meaning Mars, the Roman god of war).
32. Abril
Meaning: April.
33. Alegria
Meaning: Happiness, joy.
34. Navarro
Meaning: A person from the region of Navarre in Spain.
35. Blanco
Meaning: White.
36. Martin
Meaning: Derives from Martinus, the Roman God of war.
37. Ortega
Meaning: Nettle plant.
38. Avalos
Meaning: A person from the region of Ábalos, near the Basque country of Spain.
39. Alejo
Meaning: One who protects mankind.
40. Aceves
Meaning: Holly.
41. Abarca
Meaning: Maker of leather shoes.
42. Balcazar
Meaning: Belprotect the king.
43. Barbero
Meaning: Beard.
44. Cabello
Meaning: A knight.
45. Campana
Meaning: A bell-ringer.
46. Abascal
Meaning: Priest’s street.
47. Aguado
Meaning: Water.
48. Aguilar
Meaning: Eagle.
49. Alamilla
Meaning: Poplar or aspen.
50. De La Fuente
Meaning: Of the fountain.
51. Abaroa
Meaning: Refuge.
52. Alcaraz
Meaning: The cherry.
53. Aldana
Meaning: A slope.
54. Banderas
Meaning: Belprotect the king.
55. Bardales
Meaning: A place covered with thorns.
56. Baro
Meaning: A warrior.
57. Bello
Meaning: Handsome or attractive.
58. Cabrera
Meaning: A place of goats.
59. Candella
Meaning: Candle or candlemaker.
60. Cantu
Meaning: Someone from the Cantu town of Italy.
61. Clemente
Meaning: Merciful or gentle.
62. Colon
Meaning: Dove keepers.
63. Dali
Meaning: Assembly or noble.
64. De Jesus
Meaning: Of Jesus.
65. Del Campo
Meaning: Someone from the field.
66. Domingo
Meaning: Of the Lord.
67. Duran
Meaning: Hard and steadfast.
68. Echeverria
Meaning: Derives from Etxeberria, which is in the Basque country of Spain.
69. Elizondo
Meaning: A person who lives near or under a church.
70. Abad
Meaning: Priest.
71. Abascal
Meaning: Priest’s street.
72. Bacallao
Meaning: Codfish.
73. Cadenas
Meaning: Occupational name for a maker of chains.
74. Calzadilla
Meaning: Highway or road.
75. Escajeda
Meaning: Fallow land.
76. Escamilla
Meaning: Small bench.
77. Fallas
Meaning: Torch or bonfire.
78. Garrido
Meaning: Elegant.
79. Gerena
Meaning: Habitational name from Gerena, a place in the Seville province.
80. Jiménez
Meaning: Son of.
81. Castillo
Meaning: Castle.
Common Spanish Sayings
Whether you’re trying to freshen up on your Spanish or get more in tune with Latin culture, check out these phrases you could apply to your everyday life. You can even learn how to say them in Spanish!
- A bird in the hand is worth more than 100 flying. (Más vale pájaro en mano que cien volando.)
- Eyes that do not see, heart that does not feel. (No por mucho madrugar amanece más temprano.)
- Not through much awaking early does the dawn come earlier.
- Love is blind. (El amor es ciego.)
- The dog that doesn’t walk doesn’t find a bone. (Perro que no camina, no encuentra hueso.)
- Tell me with whom you walk and I will tell you who you are. (Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres.)
- Better skill than strength. (Más vale maña que fuerza.)
- More is achieved by licking than by biting. (Más se consigue lamiendo que mordiendo.)
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