Wealthy families were known for setting up new territories in these areas. Belize: Formerly British Honduras, Belize is the only Central American country that does not have a "Spanish culture" and is not Spanish speaking. The name is a plural of the word Varga, which in some Spanish dialects means a thatched hut or steep slope or a pastureland., The name comes from the Medieval Spanish and Old Basque word Velasco, which means a crow., Vega means a meadow in Spanish. 1. Its worth noting that the rarity of a last name can also vary depending on the country or region in question, so the relative rarity of your last name may be different in other parts of the world. This patronymic Spanish surname is derived from the name of Jesus. Dominguez was given to people who were sons of men named Domingo, a Spanish language version of Dominic. Hispanic cultures historically placed a high value on horses. Nikonov derived from the first name Nikon, which means victor or conqueror. It is mesmerizingly beautiful and one of the popular travel destinations. Serrano a name that means from the mountains, indicating a familys origin in a mountainous region. Homola (Czech, Slovak Origin) - Originates from 'homole', meaning 'cone'. Last names that are derived from a person's occupation are found in many countries around the world, and Spain is no exception. Traditional Spanish names are intriguing and have been used in various parts of the world for generations. Golubev derived from the word golub', meaning pigeon or dove. Trujillo is a toponymic Spanish surname referring to a town of the same name in Spain. Hispanic Surnames, Meanings, and Origins - ThoughtCo Surnames often change over time, creating rare names held by small numbers of persons. It originated in Italy, and is derived from Lupatus, a Late Latin word that means like a wolf., This name is derived from the Latin word lux meaning light., Maduro is a Spanish surname that means ripe or mature.. These types of last names can come from regions of areas identified by landmarks or they can signify aspects of nature, like plants, animals, and other natural elements. This was similar to the feasting halls depicted in Hun legends. Spanish last names sometimes point to personality traits, characteristics and qualities, and physical attributes. They're cooler than ice, and they give off a creative and powerful vibe in a matter of mere letters. The following are also famous Spanish last names worldwide: Hernandez (56th) and Rodriguez (57th), followed by Lopez (59th) and Gonzalez (62nd). 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. Estrada is another toponymic surname that refers to street or road in Spanish. It also refers to be a variant of Abraham in Hebrew. Giudice a name that means judge, indicating that the family may have had a member who was a judge or had some association with the legal system. Chepurnoy a name that means curly-haired, possibly indicating an ancestor with curly hair. Santos - saint, holy. Fernandez is the son of Fernando or Ferdinand, which is a given name made up of Germanic words for protection, journey, and ready. Fernandez had brave and adventurous ancestors who likely took their fathers name boldly across the seas. Rivas is often used with a place name to create a patronymic name, for example, Rivas-Vaciamadrid, referring to a community in Madrid. Referring to its location, Val de Ese was the valley of the river Ese, which became the patronymic Valdez around the 15th-century in the Americas. This is a toponymic last name and refers to people who belonged to the town of Anguiano in Spain. It is borrowed from the Galician word for oak tree. It is likely a toponymic Spanish surname for someone who lived by an oak tree or an oak forest. The word Aquino is derived from the Latin word aqua meaning water.. Torrez is a variant of Torres, which is the plural of the word Torre meaning a tower in Spanish. Settlers with this last name have been in the Americas since 1533, but it is more common in Mexico than in any other country. They eventually reached as far as Switzerland and Mexico, where it is in the top 50 most common names. This surname is derived from the name of a province called Avila within the community of Castile and Leon in Spain. This leather was available only on the Balearic Island, Spain. These were not fence-sitters; the name referred to close residences to stones or boundary markers. It denotes someone of a free and courageous disposition. This toponymic last name refers to a cave or originally referring to someone who lives in a cave., This surname is derived from the German word adal, which means noble.. This name is derived from the Spanish phrase Valle de eras referring to Valley of eras. It also denotes a toponymic name derived from Valderas in the Leon province of Spain. 5. It is derived from Esquerra, which is the Catalan word for left-handed. This name was probably used to refer left-handed people. Naming your little one after your favorite GOT character will also add them to the fan club. 4. Romero refers to pilgrim to Rome. The word Romero also refers to the rosemary plant in Spanish. Miranda refers to places in Spain and Portugal, meaning admired place. Miranda may also derive from the Spanish miralla, meaning lookout post. This is a communal name for people who hailed from a specific area. Alvarado derives from the Arabic al-barrada,meaning a wall of small stones, or albar, meaning hilly, whitish lands. People who lived near this landmark, notably gothic knights who fought the moors, were referred to by their homes built in these white, hilly places. It is a toponymic last name and refers to a place called Gabaldon in the Cuenca province of Spain. It is a toponymic Spanish surname derived from the word Chaves, which is the name of a Portuguese city. This Spanish surname refers to son of Hernando or son of Fernando. Fernando or Ferdinand means brave journey in Old Spanish. Daz or Dez. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Being the son of Nuno was quite a privilege in medieval times. It is a spelling variant of Campos and means field in Spanish. It is also possible that it derived from the word courtier, describing one who attended to their sovereign or king. This surname may have originally referred to people with dark or brown hair. 90+ Spanish Last Names From Traditional to Uncommon, Diaz - The name accounts for .17% of the Spanish population. Rare and uncommon last names are those that are not frequently found in a given population or geographical area. Talamantes descend from the village of Borja, which has a population of less than 5,000. We delved into the wonderful world of unique and popular Spanish surnames to give you some spicy details of how these names came about. During the early 20th Century, especially the World War I era, surname changes are recorded more . Velasquez is the Spanish variation of Velasco derived from Germanic roots. Thought to be a nickname from the root word rojo, meaning red or rust, it could have referred to hair or skin color. Bringing you the latest on professional naming guides and more. It referred to someone from Assisi in Italy. Solis stems from several villages throughout Spain named from the root word soler., Soto denotes a thicket or grove on a river bank which conjures images of beautiful Spanish rural countryside. Gomez takes its root from the Latin homo and refers to the son of someone named Guma, or Gomo. Ulloa a name that means wolf fur, possibly indicating an ancestor who worked in the fur trade or had a connection to the wolf. Ignatov derived from the first name Ignatiy, which means fiery or ardent. Spanish started using last names in the tenth century and increased in number post the 13th and 15th centuries (3). It is also worth noting that last names can have multiple meanings and interpretations depending on the language and cultural context in which they are used. So, if you are fascinated by the countrys traditions and names, check out these Spanish last names that are not just distinctive but also carry a profound meaning. 527+ Uncommon Last Names [Rare Last Names][With Meanings] Gomez is derived from the medieval Portuguese word goma referring to a man., Gonzales is a variant of Gonzalez and refers to a son of Gonzalo. The name Gonzalo comes from the medieval era and means battle or war., It originated as a Scottish surname that later migrated to Spain. Salas is a plural of Sala referring to a person who works at a manor house.. Fuentes is prominent among the coolest Spanish surnames and evokes images of a soothing fountain. In the 13th-century, the bearer would have owned a fortified castle or tower, giving Torres an air of nobility and grand history. 4. Many Spanish surnames end in the letter combination "ez." Dolgov a name that means long-haired, possibly indicating an ancestor with long hair. Manage Settings The Basque origins of Vasquez are thought to have been a nickname for people who showed the cunning characteristics of the vela or crow. Thought to be a teasing nickname, it nevertheless stuck and spread with the wandering of the Basque people. People bearing this name were those who came from those regions. It was also likely used as an insult, referring to a persons resemblance to the Hun or Goth invaders of Spain. Quattrocchi a name that means four eyes, possibly indicating an ancestor who wore spectacles or had a unique physical trait such as a prominent brow or a large nose. The name is derived from the word Rojo meaning red in Spanish. Kappel means chapel or small church., Lohmann means man from the clearing in the woods., Cai () meaning vegetable garden or vegetable patch, Fang () meaning square or right angle, Guo () meaning outer wall or enclosure, Hu () meaning barbarian or foreigner, Jiang () meaning ginger or aromatic, Lai () meaning rely on or depend on, Shen () meaning to sink or to submerge, Tai () meaning place name or surname of an ancient official, Zhang () meaning chapter or section, Akande Yoruba origin meaning first born, Ayodele Yoruba origin meaning joy has come home, Chisom Igbo origin meaning God accompanies me, Ezeudu Igbo origin meaning king of the people, Ifeanyi Igbo origin meaning nothing is impossible with God, Iheanacho Igbo origin meaning what I have been looking for, Ijeoma Igbo origin meaning safe journey, Olumide Yoruba origin meaning my God has come, Onyekachi Igbo origin meaning who is greater than God?, Osei Akan origin meaning noble or honorable, Alderisi Italian origin meaning son of Aldo, Baudouin French origin meaning bold friend, Calovski Slavic origin meaning son of a blacksmith, Diercks German origin meaning ruler of the people, Eilertsen Scandinavian origin meaning son of Eilert, Fjellstrom Swedish origin meaning stream from the mountain, Gudmundsdottir Icelandic origin meaning daughter of Gudmund, Htta Norwegian origin meaning risk taker, Ildefons Spanish origin meaning eager for peace, Jaskiewicz Polish origin meaning son of Jasko, Kjellberg Swedish origin meaning mountain stronghold, Leijonhufvud Swedish origin meaning lions head, Mllerup Danish origin meaning mill farm, Nesheim Norwegian origin meaning headland home, Petkova Bulgarian origin meaning son of Petko, Qvarnstrom Swedish origin meaning mill stream, Rantala Finnish origin meaning place of the border, Sandsten Swedish origin meaning sandstone. Might it mean beauty and elegance? Ayala is also used colloquially to express surprise or displeasure in Portuguese! Sanchez took on a spiritual meaning from its Latin root sanctus, and is very popular in the largely Christian Hispanic nations. When a child is born, they will take on one part of each parents last name, which is usually the fathers name on both sides. 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. Below are some uncommon Korean last names, along with their meanings: Note: The meanings are based on the Hanja characters used in the name, which are Chinese characters used in written Korean. Shes a mother of four and former mom blogger. Aiza Spanish, Basque From Basque aitz meaning "rock, stone". Guerrero is derived from guerre meaning war, and relates to a warrior returning from war. Moreover, some rare last names originate from religious affiliations or ancestral customs families may have adapted to different cultures over time and these influences can be seen in their surnames. Medina and Ortega are common geographical Hispanic surnames and there are numerous towns in the Spanish speaking world bearing these names. 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. All rights reserved. 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. This Spanish last name has roots of origin in Portugal, Italy, and Catalonia. Here are some rare surnames with their meanings: These rare surnames can have interesting and unique meanings that reflect their historical and cultural origins. This name is derived from the Latin name Vitalis, which comes from the Latin word Vita meaning life.. In English, names ending in -son or beginning with Fitz-, O'-, or Mc-/Mac- are patronymics. It is a toponymic surname referring to the name of a town in Spain. Alfaro also means a watchtower in Arabic. Another reference could also be the Spanish word Contrario, which means contrary. The word guerre is common to many language bases but is unusually not Latin. Sandoval is said to stem from the holy valley. Below is a list of some uncommon last names: These names are not commonly found in certain populations or geographical areas, which makes them unique and distinct. 1. It is a Spanish variant of Messiah, which originates from Hebrew and means savior or the anointed one., It has originated in the Basque region and refers to a cold mountain.. Duran stems from the medieval word durand, meaning to endure, which was given as a first name and later adopted as a last name. Many names trace their roots back hundreds of years to noble lineages, painting vivid pictures of history and the Mediterranean way of life. Jaramillo is a Spanish toponymic last name referring to the name of a place located in the Burgos province of Spain. A last name that is rare in one country or language may be more common in another. Alcaraz is a habitation surname referring to the name of a place in Spain. Tapia refers to a mud wall or wall in Spanish. formal surname changes documented in local court records are relatively rare. Costa is the Spanish word for coast and can also refer to a riverbank or a slope., It is a plural of the Spanish word Costal, which means a sack or bag.. It is derived from the word Laurence or Laurentum referring to the name of a city in ancient Italy. It has two possible references, one being the name of a city called Alfaro in La Rioja, Spain. Faraone a name that means pharaoh, possibly indicating an ancestor who had an interest in ancient Egyptian culture or history. This leather was available only on the Balearic Island, Spain. Geographical Surnames. 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. Gallegos was the term for a native of Galicia, a kingdom of Spain. Unsubscribe at any time. The pronunciation and meaning of the name may vary slightly depending on the context and usage. It is derived from the Basque word abaro which means refuge., Originated from the Basque language, this Spanish surname refers to priests street., This name originated from the Basque word abas meaning priests meadow., Abel is a Spanish surname derived from the Hebrew name Hevel referring to breath.. Rozhkov derived from the word rozh', meaning horn. This last name is derived from Hadria that was the name of Roman settlements. Spanish director, artist, and animator Alberto Mielgo, football players Alberto Moreno and Alberto Noguera are some popular namesakes. These Hispanic last names could reveal your hidden history! It is derived from the word Matthew meaning gift of Yahweh in Hebrew. Achio Spanish (Latin American) Possibly derived from the town, Achio, near Guadalajara in Mexico. Many monikers are derived from specific places on Earth. Acosta derives from the Portuguese da Costa, related to the English word coast, and is often found throughout the Canary Islands within Spain. Del Campo - the person from the field. It is an occupational surname meaning a barber., Bardales is a toponymic Spanish surname referring to a place covered with thorns., Baro is an Old Germanic word meaning a warrior, man or a servant., This name is derived from the Spanish and Portuguese word referring to clay or mud. Barros has two references; it can be an occupational last name for people who work with clay or mud. It is also a suggested topographic surname for people who live near clay or mud.. Utkin derived from the word utka, meaning duck. Popularity: Colon is a rare name, ranking 3,339th worldwide, but it is the 7th most common name in Puerto Rico. Leon is said to have been named after a Roman legion that occupied the area in 29 BC. Means "days", Garca - May come from the Basque word for "bear", Gonzlez - Might mean "war hall" also means "son of Gonzalo", Guzman - Might mean "cadet or person in the army" or may mean "from the village of Guzmn", Romero - Means "a traveler" or "a pilgrim", Ruiz - Alludes to the meaning "famous ruler", Snchez - 8th most common Spanish surname. They are quite unique. Berra is a derivative of the Spanish word Berrar that means to scream, shout, or bellow.. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Echeverria - a place Etxeberria in the Basque country. Delgado derives from the Latin delicatus and was often a nickname for someone thin. Esperanza is the Spanish variant of Sperantia which means to hope in Late Latin. It is derived from the Spanish word Ribera meaning river bank or shore., It refers to son of Rodrigo. The name Rodrigo comes from the name Roderick, which has Germanic origins and means famous power.. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. Arroyo is likely a toponymic surname referring to someone living along or near a water stream. 3. This Spanish surname means of the rose. It may have been a reference to someone who grew roses or lived near a field of roses. Perhaps it referred to a bright and luminous person. Cantu is a toponymic last name referring to the town of Cantu in Italy. 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. It is derived from the Basque word Etxeberria referring to the new house.. Son of Diego. Guzman stems from a nobleman who sacrificed his sons life to save a town. 90+ Spanish Last Names From Traditional to Uncommon Here are a few of the most interesting Spanish surnames. Aceves (Spanish origin) - likely a habitational surname based on the region of Acebo in western Spain. This Spanish surname likely refers to a person who lived inside or near a tower.. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This last name comes from the Bible and means father of many in Hebrew. It is a variant of the name Gutierrez, which is a patronymic Spanish surname meaningson of Gutierre. The name Gutierre has Germanic origins and likely means he who rules or ruler of the army.. Reyes originated from the word Rey referring to a king in Spanish. Flores stems from Latin, during the Roman occupation of Spain and Italy, which changed when the Visigoths defeated Rome. This name is a variant of Jasper and refers to a treasurer in Hebrew. Hinojosa a name that means hawthorn, possibly indicating an ancestor who lived in an area with many hawthorn bushes. If you love Spain and want to know more about this country and its tradition, why not start with Spanish surnames? It likely referred to someone who lived near the town or the nearest market. Let your child's teacher know they are appreciated with these thoughtful sentiments to include in a teacher thank you note! It can also mean anyone from one of the many places named Campos throughout Spain. Ayala is a Basque family name traced back to the son of King don Sancho Ramirez of Aragon, who was born in Greece and died in Spain. Castillo is the Spanish word for a castle and isnt describing a persons looks so much as where they lived or worked. Avdeev derived from the first name Avdey, which means servant or worshipper. One of the most enduring naming legacies of the Visigoth invasion was the Germanic name Raginmari, meaning famously wise. Ramirez is the Hispanic derivative of this legacy. These names are less common than Garcia or Rodriguez, but they are just as interesting to discover. Pinto refers to colorful or painted. It is also a toponymic surname derived from the name of a place called Pinto in Madrid. Regardless of the roots and origins of a Spanish surname, they all have a common quality of beauty and a story behind them. Let's take a look at some examples of common patronymic last names in Spanish! A variant of Castilla or Castellano, this surname refers to a castle.. Sosa is a variant of sousa and is derived from the Latin word salsus that refers to salty. It is also a toponymic name referring to people who lived near River Sousa. Garza may have been given as a nickname to someone with long legs, like a heron, but it can also translate to a bird. Toledano is a Sephardic family name, which marked the bearer as coming from Toledo. Battenberg This was the surname adopted by a branch of the British royal family in 1917, and was later changed to Mountbatten in 1947.
