| 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 |
| 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 |
| 68 |
Aguirre |
Spanish surname of Basque origin. It means "high place." Many houses located in high places were called Aguirre. |
228,754 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 99 |
Ayala |
Spanish surname of Basque origin. Its exact meaning is currently unknown. |
191,509 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 74 |
Ibarra |
Spanish surname based on a toponym of Basque origin. Ibarra means "valley" in Basque. |
241,343 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 65 |
Lozano |
Castilian Spanish surname based on a moniker. The name derived from the Spanish adjective lozano meaning "good looking" or "glowing." |
216,819 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 101 |
Mora |
Spanish surname probably based on a toponym, moniker, or ornamental surname. It derived from the Spanish word mora meaning "blackberry." |
186,301 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Mexico