Son of Alvaro. It is derived from the Spanish word arena referring to sand., It is derived from the Basque word Aritz meaning an oak tree., This name is derived from the German word Herman and refers to an army man., It is a variant of the name Armendariz, which comes from the Latin word armentarius meaning a herdsman., It is derived from the Latin word armenta that refers to herd., This Spanish last name is a variant of Arriola that originated in Basque. So, I'm either chasing them or my next project. Cruz means cross and denotes a person who lives near the crossroads.. Last names that are derived from a person's occupation are found in many countries around the world, and Spain is no exception. Adriano is thus a toponymic surname. Gutierre is thought to derive from the Germanic name Gunthair, which means battle sword. The sons of someone named Battle Sword likely came from a line of warriors or fighters. This Spanish last name means of the cross or of the crossroads likely referring to someone who lived at crossroads. Jara a name that means rock rose, possibly indicating an ancestor who lived in an area with many rock roses or had a connection to the flower. Another variant suggests it could come from the Galician language and mean patron or master.. In English, names ending in -son or beginning with Fitz-, O'-, or Mc-/Mac- are patronymics. 2. It is a topographic Spanish surname and denotes a person who belongs to several places named Araya or Araia in Spain. It is predominantly found in Catholic areas today. Guzman stems from a nobleman who sacrificed his sons life to save a town. La Spina a name that means the thorn, possibly indicating an ancestor who lived in an area with many thorn bushes or had a prickly personality. Guerra means war in Spanish. It is derived from the Basque word hartz referring to a bear.. They may represent a historical occupation of a person's ancestors, character traits, or geographic locales. Another reference could also be the Spanish word Contrario, which means contrary. Papaleo a name that means pope lion, possibly indicating an ancestor who had some association with the papacy or the Vatican. Martinez derives from the Latin Martinus, after the Roman god of war, Mars. Daz or Dez. Hohenzollern The House of Hohenzollern was the royal family of Prussia and the German Empire, and also ruled over Romania for a time. Surnames often change over time, creating rare names held by small numbers of persons. Its worth noting that last names in Poland can have multiple spellings and variations, and some may have evolved over time or been derived from various sources, including occupations, personal traits, or geographic locations. 3. Ulloa a name that means wolf fur, possibly indicating an ancestor who worked in the fur trade or had a connection to the wolf. The town of Zamora is directly taken from the Arabic azemur, which means the wild olives. The town is centered around its production. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Below is an alphabetical list of rare or infrequent last names and others more common but curious about their phonetics or meaning. It is the English spelling of the Spanish surname Pea. The word means a rock, boulder, or a cliff., It is a variant of the name Perales. The word is derived from the Spanish word Peral referring to a pear tree., Perez refers to a son of Pedro. The name Pedro is the Spanish form of the name Peter, which comes from the Greek word petros, referring to a stone.. While some Spanish last names are frequently heard throughout Spanish-centric regions, others are rarely ever heard. Manage Settings Pinto refers to colorful or painted. It is also a toponymic surname derived from the name of a place called Pinto in Madrid. Pacheco is derived from the Latin Franciscus, meaning free man, and may have spread through Roman use. This Spanish surname is a toponymic name derived from either Vadillo de la Sierra in Avila, Spain or Valillo de la Guarena in Zamora, Spain. These exotic surnames have appeared during our ancestor searches , as well as in the making of custom family trees made for our clients. Amari (): Refers to the universe or the world. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood. Ramos was often a given name to someone born during Palm Sundays religious fiesta. This is derived from the name of a province called Avila, in the present-day community of Castile and Leon in Spain. This surname refers to a spacious fort.. Trujillo is a toponymic Spanish surname referring to a town of the same name in Spain. Rizzo a name that means curly-haired, possibly indicating an ancestor with curly hair or a distinctive hairstyle. Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Cepeda a name that means wooded hill, possibly indicating an ancestor who lived near or owned a wooded area. Rivas is often used with a place name to create a patronymic name, for example, Rivas-Vaciamadrid, referring to a community in Madrid. Names are an important Spanish heritage, and thats why, unlike in Western culture, women dont lose their names when they get married; instead, they add their spousal name to their own, giving them two last names. Andreu is the Catalan version of Andrew, which again comes from Andreas. 90+ Spanish Last Names From Traditional to Uncommon, Diaz - The name accounts for .17% of the Spanish population. It has two references, one belonging to the name of a place called Toro in Spain and another refers to taurus or a bull in Spanish. Esperanza is the Spanish variant of Sperantia which means to hope in Late Latin. This surname is derived from the name of the Spanish city Valencia thus making it a toponymic last name. Here are some uncommon German last names along with their meanings: These names often reflect the familys occupation or origin, providing a glimpse into their cultural heritage. Tineo is a toponymic last name for someone from the place called Tineo in the Asturias province of Spain. Thought to mean a small hut or cottage, Vargas families may have been sheep or goat herders. It originates from the Italian word Bosco, which means woods or forest., Botello is an occupational Spanish last name referring to a maker of bottles., It is an occupational Spanish last name that either means a bottler or boat maker., Bover originated in Italy, migrated, and evolved as a Spanish surname. In Spanish, it means from a field or someone who worked or lived near a field. The Hispanic double surname system traces back to the nobility class of Castile in the 16th century. Here are some rare surnames with their meanings: These rare surnames can have interesting and unique meanings that reflect their historical and cultural origins. It is probably an occupational surname given to those who worked as a flag-bearer. Many Spanish surnames end in the letter combination "ez." There were many regions named Garza in Spain, and Garza may refer to the natives of the area. 3. Ruiz a name that means famous wolf, indicating a familys association with the wolf or the wolfs qualities of strength, cunning, and ferocity. Someone with Dominguez as their last name most likely had a religious ancestor. Names are a wonderful way to start knowing about a country. Hence, people bearing this name likely came from nobility somewhere in their ancestry. So be it planning a trip there or just quenching your thirst for knowledge, here is a list of Spanish surnames that you might want to have a look at. A creative, When it comes to choosing baby names, there are certainly different strokes for different folks. Although a part of Scandinavia, Norwegians do not follow the same naming culture as the Scandinavians. Vicario derives from the Latin vicarius, which is the root for the English word vicarious, and the Hispanic vicario. Named as a stand-in for an official, this required high standing and a good reputation. It also refers to be a variant of Abraham in Hebrew. Jimeno was most likely used in Spain before the 5th-century when it became Jimeno. Robles were not just any forest dwellers; they lived near the oak groves. Guerrero is derived from guerre meaning war, and relates to a warrior returning from war. It is derived from Esquerra, which is the Catalan word for left-handed. This name was probably used to refer left-handed people. Salas stems from Sal and refers to a hall or family room, traditionally a meeting place for villages or families. Fuentes is prominent among the coolest Spanish surnames and evokes images of a soothing fountain. Munoz was originally a first name meaning hill. Traditionally, it may sometimes be given to the ninth child born. Meaningful names reflecting the familys roots and traditions. Alavez (English and Spanish origin) - meaning 'son of Alave'. It is mesmerizingly beautiful and one of the popular travel destinations. This is a Spanish variant of Zechariah which means Yahweh or God in Hebrew. List of the most common Surnames in Spain. Toledano is a Sephardic family name, which marked the bearer as coming from Toledo. Romero refers to pilgrim to Rome. The word Romero also refers to the rosemary plant in Spanish. Popularity: Colon is a rare name, ranking 3,339th worldwide, but it is the 7th most common name in Puerto Rico. Depending on the specific rarity of your last name, it may be held by only a few hundred people, or it may be held by several thousand people. When did Spanish start using surnames? Colon is believed to derive from the English name Colin which translates to Colombo in Italian and Portuguese. Bringing you the latest on professional naming guides and more. There are many claims to French royalty, and its believed the name pre-dates even that. Here are a few examples of royal last names from different countries: According to data from the United States Census Bureau, Smith is the most common last name in the United States, with over 4 million people having this last name. Here are a few of the most interesting Spanish surnames. Pilgrims traveling to Rome were called Romeros after the Crusades. Some name definitions are interesting and unusual. Aceves (Spanish origin) - likely a habitational surname based on the region of Acebo in western Spain. American actress and four-time Golden Globe Award nominee Cameron Diaz is a famous bearer of this last name. It referred to someone from Assisi in Italy. The name Amaya likely comes from the Basque word Amaia that means the end.. Many names trace their roots back hundreds of years to noble lineages, painting vivid pictures of history and the Mediterranean way of life. 6. Dominic was also given to children born on the Holy day, Sunday. In other cultures, different letter combinations signify the "son of" meaning. This Spanish surname is derived from the Basque word azeri referring to a fox.. They can add uniqueness and interest to a persons identity, and reflect the diversity of Canadas population. They eventually reached as far as Switzerland and Mexico, where it is in the top 50 most common names. Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. The most historically famous Spanish last name belongs to King Philip II, whose full name was Felipe II de Habsburgo. Sandoval is said to stem from the holy valley. The following are also famous Spanish last names worldwide: Hernandez (56th) and Rodriguez (57th), followed by Lopez (59th) and Gonzalez (62nd). The word Aquino is derived from the Latin word aqua meaning water.. Alvarez ends with the suffix ez, meaning from or of. This was a modification stemming from the Germanic invasion of Iberian regions by the Visigoths in the 5th-century. It is derived from Costa referring to riverbank in Portuguese. It is derived from the Basque word Etxeberria referring to the new house.. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Marquez is a popular baptismal name developed from the word mar, which means to gleam. Marc and all its variations were used in pre-medieval times to name religious buildings and sanctuaries throughout Italy, Spain, and France. It is a variant of the word Valles, which means valleys. This surname was likely a family name of people who lived around valleys in Spain. Felix refers to lucky or successful in Latin. In many monarchies, royal families often adopt a specific surname or dynastic name to reflect their royal heritage. Before this, people traveled so little that they called all Italians by this description simply because they didnt know any other Italian place names. Likely, these villages were so named because they were built into baking hot depressions in the land. Frolov derived from the first name Frol, which means happy or merry. It means on the other side in Spanish. Bigotes - Means "whiskers" Escarra - Means "left-handed" Ladrn - Means "thief" Lanzo - Means "to throw" Those who lived near borders, or trevena in old English, often took the name Trevino back with them to their villages. Namesakes: Cristbal Coln, the Spanish name for the famous explorer Christopher Columbus, who made the first voyage between Europe and the Americas. This name refers to a church in Spanish. Magical, supernatural, and mystical names for your little stars. This denotes the meaning "son of." The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. This last name is derived from Thaddeus that comes from the Ancient Greek word Thaddaios meaning heart., It is the Spanish variant of the name Theodore, which comes from the Greek name Theodoros meaning Gods gift.. 50 Powerful Quotes to Remind Us to Live With Intention. Napolitano a name that means from Naples, indicating a familys geographical origin in the city of Naples or its surrounding areas. Rivera families resided near a stream, small river, or shoreline. Alberto Portuguese, Spanish From the given name Alberto. Blanco - white. Asis is the Spanish name for Assisi. Maybe it is more literal, with a definition of a physical characteristic. Gomez takes its root from the Latin homo and refers to the son of someone named Guma, or Gomo. Diaz in Spanish refers to a son of Diego. The name Diego originates from Latin and means teaching. Another reference also states that it comes from the word dias, which means days in Spanish. Here are ten uncommon British last names for you to consider: Here are some uncommon Japanese last names with their meanings: Below are some Italian uncommon last names with their meanings: Here are some rare French last names along with their meanings: These are just a few examples of uncommon French last names. These last names are ones you will hear repeatedly should you ever visit Spain or any other country with a large Spanish presence. The maker of these shoes was referred to as Abarca. Abueling.com 2007-2023. 2. I'm Jennely. Rivas is a toponymic surname for someone who came from any of the several places called Rivas or Ribas in Spain. This name is derived from the Latin name Vitalis, which comes from the Latin word Vita meaning life.. Regardless of the roots and origins of a Spanish surname, they all have a common quality of beauty and a story behind them. Zzyzx is held by only two individuals in the US, its believed. Guerra was likely given as a nickname for a soldier or someone who liked to fight like one. This educational content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Chepurnoy a name that means curly-haired, possibly indicating an ancestor with curly hair. However, after marriage, women have the choice of adopting their husbands last names. Son of Diego. This leather was available only on the Balearic Island, Spain. It is the Spanish word for a rooster. It was likely associated with people who took a lot of pride in themselves. Ruiz is of Visigoth origin and is the Hispanic form of Hrodric, meaning renown, power. Ruiz is also a short form of Rodrigo and means son of Rodrigo.. Aguilar (Spanish origin) - meaning 'from the eagle's lair'. Orleans The House of Orleans is a branch of the Bourbon dynasty, which has provided several rulers for France over the years. We won't send you spam. They give insight into what your ancestors did and where and how they lived. Trombetta a name that means little trumpet, possibly indicating an ancestor who played a musical instrument or had a loud, commanding voice. This is a spelling variant of Villanova referring to a new settlement., Villas is derived from Villads or Willihad, which comes from Old German and refers to a will for a battle or a desire for combat., Yanez is a patronymic surname referring to son of Juan. The name Juan is the Spanish variant of the name John, which has its origins in Hebrew and means Yahweh is gracious.. Another suggestion is the name comes from the word alba meaning sunrise or white., This patronymic name means son of Alvaro. The word Alvaro is derived from Alpher which refers to army or warrior., Amador is a variant of the Latin word Amator referring to lover of God., Amaya is a toponymic surname referring to a village located in the Burgos province of Spain. The Valientes hailed from an area in Spain known as little Valencia or Valenzuela. The area grew and became the site of many conflicts, which is possibly why people from the area were described as brave. It comes from the Spanish word zapato meaning a shoe. The surname Zapata is possibly an occupational last name referring to shoemakers.. The word guerre is common to many language bases but is unusually not Latin. (Or sometimes it's just something you pick up when you get married. Morales identifies people living by natural landmarks, such as mulberry bushes. Daidouji (): Refers to a Buddhist temple. Solis means sun and plot and is the namesake of old, beautiful, sunny places to dwell. Discover it List of rare surnames Abades Abanto Abeijn Acacio Albir Alcoholado Aldanondo Aldegunde Algora Alou Alzolaburreta Amechazurra Amez Antoanzas Apraiz Arabolaza Arano Araztimuo Ariez Arizandieta Arrazquito Arrilucea Arrubal Asprez Atela Atrio Bail Bairina Balda Bano Barato Barbens Barcina Bardina Barreno Barriga Basconcillos This Spanish last name has roots of origin in Portugal, Italy, and Catalonia. It could also mean someone who is capable, intelligent, and vigilant, similar to its Latin root word, habilis.. Spanish started using last names in the tenth century and increased in number post the 13th and 15th centuries (3). Philippines: Many Filipinos have Hispanic first names and surnames, a legacy of the Philippines' history as a Spanish colony for three centuries. This ultimate guide of the most common Spanish last names with their meanings can inspire you to select one for your newborn baby or lead you to discover your ancestral roots. Espinoza descended from several regions in Spain, which were likely named in Latin, and called espino, meaning hawthorn. Many pedigreed people carried this name through history, bringing it to the U.S. in the 1500s. Bellacosa a name that means beautiful thing, possibly denoting someone with an attractive appearance or personality.