80+ Spanish Last Names That'll Take You To Your Nearest Tapas Bar

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.)