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Names: Surnames

Surnames (or family names) are hereditary and are often common to all members of a family.

Occupational surnames are derived from an occupation. Examples include Taylor, Smith, and Baker.

Toponymic surnames are derived from a place. Examples include Ayers (a person from Ayers, Scotland) and Bach (German for a person who lives near a stream).

Religious surnames are derived directly or indirectly from religious texts or traditions. Examples include Christian biblical names, Hebrew names from the Torah, and Muslim names from the Quran.

Nickname derived surnames are those based upon appearance, temperament, or personality. An example is the German surname Schwarzkopf (in German, schwarz=black, Kopf= head) meaning a person with dark hair.

Ornamental surnames are those that were adopted or forced upon individuals (and families) under political pressure.

Patronymic surnames are derived from the given name of a male ancestor. An example is the English patronymic surname Peterson, meaning son of Peter.

Female patronymic surnames (also known as female possessive suffix surnames) are a female form of a patronymic surname, most typically a patronymic surname with a feminine suffix added. For example, in Russian, the wife of Mikhail Gorbachev is Raisa Gorbachova, -ev is replaced with ova.

Matronymic surnames are derived from the given name of a female ancestor. An example is the English matronymic surname Tiffany.

Popular Surnames (Family) in

Rank Name Meaning Distribution
2 Hernández Jewish (Sephardic) and Spanish patronymic surname based on the male given names Hernando or Fernando, meaning "son of Hernando." Hernando derived from the Germanic name Fardinand; fardi meaning "journey" and -nand standing for "brave." 2,534,380
3 García Spanish patronymic surname probably based on an ancient Basque, Portuguese, or Spanish given name. The name could have derived from the Basque words (H)artz (bear) or garze (young) or even both of them. 2,416,130
4 López Spanish patronymic surname based on the given name Llopis or Lope, meaning "son of Llopis" or "son of Lope." Llopis (or Lope) derived from the Latin word lupus which means "wolf." It corresponds to the English surname Wolfson. 2,151,070
5 Martínez Spanish patronymic of the given name Martín, meaning "son of Martín." The name Martín derived from the Roman name Martinus which originated in the name of the Roman god of war, Mars. The English names Marcus, Mark, and Martin are relatives; the patronymic surname corresponds to the English surname Martinson. 2,151,050
6 González Spanish patronymic surname based on the male Spanish given name Gonzalo, meaning "son of Gonzalo." The name derived from the Visigothic meaning "battle." 2,093,120
7 Rodríguez Spanish patronymic of the male Spanish given name Rodrigo, meaning "son of Rodrigo." This name derived from the Germanic components hrod (fame) and ric (power), meaning "famous power." 1,741,540
8 Pérez Jewish (Sephardic) and Spanish patronymic surname based on the male Spanish given name Pedro, meaning "son of Pedro." The name Pedro derived from the male Greek name Petros which means "stone"; the surname Pérez corresponds to the English surname Peterson. 1,614,910
9 Ramírez Spanish patronymic surname based on the male Spanish given name Ramiro, meaning "son of Ramiro." The name Ramiro derived from the Latin name Ramirus originating in the Visigothic components ragin (counsel) and meri (famous). 1,294,890
10 Sánchez Spanish patronymic surname based on the male given name Sancho, meaning "son of Sancho." The name Sancho derived from the Latin name Sanctus, meaning "sanctified." 1,537,180
11 Gómez Galician and Portuguese patronymic surname based on the male given name Gomes. It derived from the Visigothic word guma meaning "man"; the English names Adam and Adams share this meaning. 989,295
12 Torres Catalan, Galician, Jewish (Sephardic), Portuguese, and Spanish surname based on a toponym or occupational surname. The name derived from the plural form of the Spanish noun torre which means "towers." It could have referred to one of several places in Spain named Torres or been used for someone living near the towers. It could have also been a reference to a guard or watchman on a tower. 841,966
13 Diaz Castilian, Portuguese, and Spanish patronymic surname based on the male given name Diego, meaning "son of Diego." The name derived from the male Hebrew given name Ya'aqov which became Diego, then Jaime, and finally Santiago. The name is a relative of the English surnames Jacobs, Jacobson, James, and Jameson. The name could also be based on the Greek name Didáchos and the Latin name Didactus meaning "educated." 811,553
14 Vázquez Portuguese and Spanish surname of Basque origins, based on the male given name Vasco, meaning "son of Vasco." The name derived from a reduced form of Velásquez. It was also used to describe someone living in the Basque Country. 806,894
15 Flores Spanish patronymic surname based on the male Spanish given name Floro derived from the Roman Florus, meaning "son of Floro." The name developed from the Latin word flos meaning "flower." 1,110,320
16 Morales Spanish surname probably based on a toponym or ornamental surname. It could have derived from the Spanish plural of moral meaning "mulberry trees" but could also be a patronymic version meaning "son of Moral." 771,796
17 Gutiérrez Spanish patronymic based on a form of the male Spanish given name Gualterio, meaning "son of Gutierre." The name probably derived from a Visigothic given name. This name represents the Spanish form of the English surname Walters. 748,789
18 Jiménez Spanish patronymic surname of Basque origin, based on the male Spanish given name Jimeno, meaning "son of Jimeno." The name Jimeno, developed from Ximeno, possibly derived from Basque; seme meaning "son." The name Jimeno could have also derived from the Greek name Simeon which means "He has heard." and corresponds to the English surnames Simon and Simmons. 670,453
19 Mendoza Basque surname based on a toponym referring to a mountain region. The name derived from the Basque words for "mountain" (mendi) and "cold" (hotz), meaning "cold mountain." 613,683
20 Aguilar Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to someone from a place where eagles live. The exact origin of this old surname is currently unknown. 611,904
21 Ortiz Spanish patronymic surname of Basque origin based on the male Basque given name Orti. The name could have derived from the Latin fortúnius, the Latin word for "fortunate," or from the Latin fortis, meaning "strong." 576,989
22 Álvarez Spanish patronymic surname based on the male Spanish and Portuguese given name Álvaro, meaning "son of Álvaro." The name Álvaro has Germanic roots. 557,332
23 Romero Spanish surname probably based on a toponym or moniker used for those who went on a pilgrimage to Rome. The name derived from the Spanish noun romero meaning "pilgrim to Rome." 540,922
24 Moreno Jewish (Sephardic), Portuguese, and Castilian Spanish surname based on a moniker or toponym. It derived from the Spanish adjective moreno meaning "dark-haired" or "dark-skinned." The name could have originated in the Latin maurus meaning "Moor." 539,927
25 Chávez Portuguese and Spanish surname based on a spelling variant of the Portuguese toponym Cháves. The name referred to one of several places named Cháves. It could have derived from the Portuguese word for "keys," which could have referred to "the keys to Heaven." 517,392
26 Rivera Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to any of the places named Rivera or Ribera in Spain. The name derived from the Spanish ribera meaning "river bank." 508,022
27 Ramos Portuguese and Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to one of the many places by that name in Portugal and Spain. The name derived from the plural form of the Latin term ramus meaning "branches" and was probably given to someone living in a wooded area. 455,728
28 Reyes Spanish surname based on a moniker or an occupational surname for someone in the king's service. The name derived from the plural of the Spanish noun rey meaning "kings" and was also given to children born on Epiphany (Reyes). As a nickname, it could have described strong, overbearing, and demanding people. The English surname King is a relative. 738,320
29 Cruz Spanish surname based on the male Latin given name Cruz.  The name derived from the Portuguese and Spanish words cruz meaning "cross" and referred to the crucifixion. The name could have also developed as an occupational surname for the maker or seller of crosses. 800,874
30 Medina Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to an Arabic city. It derived from the Arabic noun madina meaning "city." In Spain, the name was first common in Burgos and Valladolid. 431,518
31 Castro Galician, Italian, Jewish (Sephardic), Portuguese, and Spanish surname based on a toponym. It derived from the Latin noun castrum meaning "castle." The name could have referred to someone living near a castle, to someone involved in the construction of a castle, or to someone in the castle's service. 419,216
32 Méndez Portuguese and Spanish patronymic surname of the male Spanish given name Mendo, meaning "son of Mendo." Mendo derived from the Visigothic Hermenegild name meaning "entire gift." 410,239
33 Guzmán Castilian Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to the village of Guzmán in the Burgos region of Spain. The name could have also derived from a Jewish (Ashkenazic) occupational surname for a metalworker, based on the Yiddish words gus (to caste) and man (man). 392,284
34 Ortega Spanish surname based on a Galician toponym or Spanish moniker. The name could refer to the town Ortega in A Coruña, Spain or to a nickname derived from Ortega meaning "black goose." 372,471
35 Juárez Spanish patronymic surname based on a variation of the Spanish surname Suárez meaning "son of Suero." The name may have originally derived as an occupational surname from the Latin sureius meaning "swineherd." 384,929
36 Guerrero Spanish surname based on a moniker or occupational surname for a soldier. The name derived from the Spanish noun guerra meaning "war." The name could have been used as a nickname for an aggressive person. 361,557
37 Fernández Spanish patronymic of the given name Fernando, meaning "son of Fernando." The name Fernando derived from the old Spanish form Ferdinando of the Germanic name Fardinand; fardi meaning "journey" and -nand standing for "brave." 385,741
38 Ruiz Spanish patronymic surname based on the short form Ruy of the male Spanish given name Rodrigo, meaning "son of Ruy." The name derived from the Germanic components hrod (fame) and ric (power), meaning "famous power." 708,718
39 Muñoz Spanish patronymic surname based on the male Spanish given name Munio or Muño, meaning "son of Munio" or "son of Muño." The name Munio derived from the Latin munis, meaning "forced" or "imposed." The name could have also derived from the Basque muño, meaning "hill," as a toponym related to the English surname Hill. 376,633
40 Vargas Portuguese and Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to Vargas in Santander, Spain. The name derived from the plural form of varga. The word meant "steepest part of a slope," "hut," or "fenced pastureland." 427,854
41 Herrera Castilian Spanish occupational surname for a person who forges objects of iron, a blacksmith or farrier. It derived from the Latin word ferraria for a craftsman; its English equivalent is the surname Smith. 451,226
42 Castillo Spanish surname based on a toponym or occupational surname. The name derived from the Spanish noun castillo meaning "castle"; several Spanish towns are named with it. The name could have referred to someone living near a castle, to someone involved in the construction of a castle, or to someone in the castle's service. 553,799
43 Salazar Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to Salazar in Burgos, Spain. The name derived from the Basque sala meaning "hall" and zaar meaning "old," making it the Basque equivalent of the Spanish surname Saavedra which means "old building." 368,231
44 Rojas Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to Rojas in Burgos and Guadalajara, Spain. The name derived from the Spanish adjective rojo meaning "red." As a moniker, the name could have referred to someone with red hair. 365,457
45 Contreras Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to Conteraras in Burgos, Spain. The name may have derived from the Latin word contraria meaning "surroundings." 358,521
46 Luna Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to a village called Luna (moon) in Zaragoza, Spain. The name was common among the nobility in Valladolid. 357,578
47 Domínguez Spanish surname based on the patronymic surname meaning "son of Domingo." The name Domingo derived from the Latin name Dominicus which meant "of the Lord." 348,182
48 Garza Galician and Basque surname based on a noble surname or toponym. The name derived from the Spanish word for "heron" and became a common surname given to Sephardic Jews in Nuevo León, Mexico. It could have also been used as a moniker for a slim person with long legs or derived from a variation of the surname García. The name means "flame" in Basque. 335,829
49 Soto Spelling variant of the Portuguese and Spanish surname Sotu based on a toponym referring to one of many places in Spain named Soto or El Soto. The name derived from the Spanish noun soto which means "grove." 306,227
50 Estrada Catalan and Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to one of many places in Portugal and Spain by that name or to someone living in a street. The name derived from the Portuguese word estrada meaning "road." 324,103
51 Vega Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to one of several places in Spain called La Vega or Vega. The name derived from the Spanish noun vega meaning "meadow." 285,864
52 Cervantes Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to the town of Cervantes in Lugo and also in Zamora, Spain. The exact meaning of the name is currently unknown. 276,101
53 Silva Galician, Jewish (Sephardic), Portuguese, and Spanish surname based on a toponym. It could refer to any of the numerous places by that name or to a wooded area in general. The name derived from the Latin word silva, meaning "forest." 265,553
54 Lara Spanish surname based on a toponym probably referring to the town of Lara de los Infantes in Burgos, Spain. The name could have derived from the Latin lar to refer to Etruscan and Roman divinities of the home. 296,228
55 León Spanish patronymic surname based on the male Spanish given name León derived from the Latin name Leo (lion), meaning "of León." The name could also be based on a toponym referring to the Kingdom of León. 259,246
56 Ríos Galician, Portuguese, and Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to an area with rivers. The name derived from the Spanish plural noun rios meaning "rivers" in Spanish. 259,141
57 Solís Catalan and Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to Solís in Asturias. The name derived from the Latin noun sol meaning "sun." 240,008
58 Valdéz Spelling variant of the Spanish surname Valdés probably based on a toponym referring to one of the places named Valdés in Spain. The name could have also derived from the Catalan moniker valdès for a member of a Puritan religious sect. The name could have also developed as a Spanish patronymic surname derived from the Germanic Baldo, meaning "son of Baldo." This name contained the Germanic element bald meaning "brave."   232,680
59 Cárdenas Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to one of several towns named Cárdenas in Spain. The name derived from the adjective cárdeno meaning "blue" or "thistle." 230,848
60 Mejía Spanish surname based on a religious byname or ornamental surname. It could have derived from the Hebrew Mashiah (the Messiah); it could also have developed from a toponym referring to Muxia in Galicia. 227,393
61 Robles Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to a place with an abundance of oak trees. The name derived from the plural of the Spanish noun roble meaning "oak." 222,472
62 Fuentes Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to one of many places by this name or from any place known for its spring. The name derived from the Spanish plural noun fuentes meaning "fountains." 220,248
63 Maldonado Spanish surname based on a toponym or moniker. It could refer to the village of Maldonado in the Albacete region. The name could have also developed as a nickname for a person not known to be smart or beautiful; mal meaning "badly," donado meaning "given" or "bestowed." 220,509
64 Padilla Castilian Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to one of many places by that name. The name could have derived from the Spanish term padilla meaning "frying pan" originating in the Latin noun patina, meaning "dish," often used to describe a corresponding landform. 223,205
65 Lozano Castilian Spanish surname based on a moniker. The name derived from the Spanish adjective lozano meaning "good looking" or "glowing." 216,819
66 Trejo Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to Trejo in Cádiz or Trexo in Asturias. The exact meaning of this name is currently unknown. 215,850
67 Acosta Spanish and Portuguese surname based on a toponym referring to someone who lived in the mountains or by the sea. The name derived from the Portuguese word encostas. 224,383
68 Aguirre Spanish surname of Basque origin. It means "high place." Many houses located in high places were called Aguirre. 228,754
69 Orozco Spanish surname based on a toponym of Basque origin. It refers to the town Orozco in Bilbao, Spain; its meaning being "from the base of the mountain." 228,963
70 Camacho Spanish surname of Gaelic origin, probably based on a moniker for a bow legged person. The name could have derived from the adjective camb meaning "twisted." 233,858
71 Nava Catalan or Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to the city of Navarra, Spain or in general to a low valley between mountains. The name probably derived from the Spanish word nava or the Basque naba both of which mean "plains next to the mountains." 214,620
72 Cortés Catalan, Portuguese, and Spanish surname probably based on the adjective cortés derived from the Old French adjective curteis which meant "courteous" and "polite." The name could have been a moniker for a well-mannered person and was probably used ironically as well. The English surname Curtis can be considered an equivalent. The name Cortés could also be based on a toponym referring to one of the many places in Portugal and Spain with names containing the word cortes meaning "courts." 301,594
73 Rosas Spanish surname probably based on a toponym referring to the town of Roses in Catalonia or to any other place called Rosas or Las Rosas. The name derived from the Spanish plural noun rosas meaning "roses" and could therefore have also been used as an occupational surname for a grower or seller of roses or  a moniker. 237,339
74 Ibarra Spanish surname based on a toponym of Basque origin. Ibarra means "valley" in Basque. 241,343
75 Campos Portuguese and Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to an area of fields. The name derived from the plural noun campos meaning "fields." 246,709
76 Márquez Spanish patronymic based on the male given name Marcos, meaning "son of Marcos."  Marcos derived from the Latin name Marcus; the English names Martin and Mark are relatives. 248,933
77 Navarro Basque, Italian, Jewish (Sephardic), and Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to the city of Navarre, Spain. The name derived from the Spanish noun Navarro means "meadow surrounded by mountains." 258,408
78 Delgado Portuguese and Spanish patronymic surname based on a moniker. The name derived from the Portuguese and Spanish word delgado which means "slender" or "slim." 254,273
79 Alvarado Spanish surname probably based on a toponym for someone from Alvardo in the Badajoz region of Spain. The toponym could have also developed from the meaning "dweller on dry land." 266,993
80 Carrillo Spanish surname based on a moniker. The name derived from the word carrillo, meaning "cheek." It could also be a diminutive of carro (wagon). 267,333
81 Velázquez Spanish patronymic surname based on the male Basque given name Belasco, meaning "son of Belasco." The name Belasco derived from the Basque meaning "small crow." 331,510
82 Sandoval Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to the town Sandoval in Burgos, Spain. The name derived from the Latin meaning "newly cleared land." 273,091
83 Gonzales Spanish patronymic surname based on the male Spanish given name Gonzalo, meaning "son of Gonzalo." The name derived from the Visigothic meaning "battle." 298,034
84 Ávila Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to the town of Ávila. The name derived from a Celtic term meaning "next to the wall." 284,529
85 Espinosa Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to a place with lots of pricky shrubs. The name derived from the Spanish noun espina meaning "thorn." 289,842
86 Miranda Jewish (Sephardic), Portuguese, and Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to one of many places called Miranda in Portugal and Spain. The name could have derived from the Latin miranda, meaning "to watch" and "to admire." 233,910
87 Cabrera Spanish surname based on a toponym or occupational surname. It derived from the Latin noun capraria, meaning "goat place" and therefore could have referred to someone living near or working at such a place. 206,690
88 Garça Spelling variation of the Galician and Basque surname Garza based on a noble surname or toponym. The name derived from the Spanish word for "heron" and became a common surname given to Sephardic Jews in Nuevo León, Mexico. It could have also been used as a moniker for slim people with long legs or derived from a variation of the surname García. It means "flame" in Basque. 213,861
89 Espinoza South American spelling version of the Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to a place with lots of pricky shrubs. The name derived from the Spanish noun espina meaning "thorn." 206,140
90 Ochoa Basque, French, and Spanish patronymic surname based on the male Basque given names Otxoa or Otsoa, meaning "wolf." The English name Wolfson is a relative. 205,852
91 Suárez Spanish patronymic surname of the male Spanish given name Suaro or Suero, meaning "son of Suaro" or "son of Suero."  The name Suaro derived from the Latin word suerius; it meant "hog farmer" and therefore could have developed into an occupational surname for a swineherd. 203,549
92 Rangel Portuguese and Spanish surname based on a variant spelling of Rengel. The name could have developed as a toponym referring to Rengel in Málaga, Spain. The exact meaning of the name is currently unknown. 200,565
93 Montes Portuguese and Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to a mountainous region. The name derived from the plural of monte, meaning "mountains." 186,484
94 Valencia Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to the city of Valencia in eastern Spain. The name derived from the Latin title Valentia Edetanorum which means "courage on Edetani land." 195,200
95 Huerta Castilian Spanish surname meaning "orchard." Some variations of it are the surnames La Huerta, Lahuerta, and Huertas. It is possible that this name was given to those who fought for the King against the moors and received land as payment for their services. 195,147
96 Bautista Spanish surname based on the male Spanish given name Bautista. The name derived from the male Latin given name Baptiste, originating in the Greek verb bapto (to dip). 193,525
97 Molina Catalan and Spanish surname based on a toponym or occupational surname. It could refer to one of several towns called Molina. The name derived from the Spanish word molino (mill) and could therefore also be an occupational surname describing a person who owns or works in a grain mill, a miller. It is related to the English surname Miller.   192,190
98 Hernando Surname based on the male Spanish given names Hernando, meaning "son of Hernando." Hernando derived from the Germanic name Fardinand; fardi meaning "journey" and -nand standing for "brave." 202,581
99 Ayala Spanish surname of Basque origin. Its exact meaning is currently unknown. 191,509
100 Villarreal Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to one of numerous places in Spain named Villareal or Villarreal. The name derived from the Latin words villa (village) and real (royal), meaning "royal village."  The name could have been used for someone living in a village which had royal privileges. 187,191
101 Mora Spanish surname probably based on a toponym, moniker, or ornamental surname. It derived from the Spanish word mora meaning "blackberry." 186,301