Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing ar more. Alfaro also means a watchtower in Arabic. The short answer is plenty, and often more than you may think initially. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. Fuentes, or fountains, were widespread in Spain, especially in the Fuentes region. Abarca is an occupational last name. Soto originally referred to fertile pasture land containing forest or woods from the Latin saltus.. Escarra - left-handed. Most people were serfs (agricultural laborers) or citizens under a Lord or King, and they took their names from where they lived, mostly in rural areas. Aguilar (Spanish origin) - meaning 'from the eagle's lair'. The Hispanic double surname system traces back to the nobility class of Castile in the 16th century. Reyes originated from the word Rey referring to a king in Spanish. This Spanish surname refers to son of Hernando or son of Fernando. Fernando or Ferdinand means brave journey in Old Spanish. Toledano is a Sephardic family name, which marked the bearer as coming from Toledo. Trujillo is a toponymic Spanish surname referring to a town of the same name in Spain. 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. To come from the Villareal, a royal estate, meant that the bearer would likely have some connection with the crown, and it was thus a name denoting nobility and prestige. (2). Bringing you the latest on professional naming guides and more. Maksimov derived from the first name Maksim, which means greatest or largest. American singer, actress and film producer Selena Marie Gomez is a famous bearer of this last name. List Of Common Spanish Surnames Or Family Names 1. 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.. Guerrero is derived from guerre meaning war, and relates to a warrior returning from war. Urbano is a variant of the Latin name Urbanus and refers to city-dweller., This is derived from the Hebrew name Uriyah referring to Yahweh is my light., It means son of Baldo. The name Baldo is derived from Old German word bald meaning bold or brave.. 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. Hinojosa a name that means hawthorn, possibly indicating an ancestor who lived in an area with many hawthorn bushes. Vera is the Spanish word for riverbank or border. The surname is toponymic and refers to people who originally lived by the riverbank or along the border. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Leon is also a nickname given to someone who was as brave as a lion and likely had origins outside Hispanic circles, like the town of Lyon, in France. Abel Another reference suggests it could have been derived from the Basque words asta and ur referring to rock and water respectively. Basurto means middle of the forest. It is also a toponymic surname which refers to the name of a place in the Basque country. The Serrano family name is frequently found in the state of Nevada and can also be found in the Philippines and Italy. Another reference suggests the meaning to be oak trees in Basque. 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 bearer of the Estrada name once held land in Spain, and the name is taken from the Latin strata, meaning street or road. Estrada was passed down during the Middle Ages and likely meant the bearer had a prominent ancestor in their ancient history. Shes a mother of four and former mom blogger. This is a variant of Aretxabaleta which is also the name of a town in Spain. Here are some uncommon Black last names with their meanings: Its worth noting that last names can have multiple meanings and origins, and may have evolved over time, so these meanings are not necessarily exhaustive or definitive. This Spanish last name is derived from the word alamillo that means a poplar tree or aspen.. Alberto is derived from the word Albert referring to noble or bright., This is a toponymic last name derived from the name of a Basque town called Aldats referring to a slope.. People who bore the Herrera surname worked at a herreria, where iron is forged. This last name comes from the Bible and means father of many in Hebrew. Diaz is taken from the Latin dies, meaning days. It was originally used to give people more Spanish-sounding names in the 9th-century. 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.. 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. There are many such groves in the Iberian Peninsula; one oak has been growing for over 1,200 years. Abaroa It is likely derived from the Spanish word Camera referring to a chamber or room., It is the Spanish word for bell. This Spanish occupational last name refers to the maker of bells.. Examples of uncommon Spanish surnames include Abarca, Alcaraz, and Cabrera. Allard derived from the Germanic personal name Alard, meaning noble strength., Desrochers means of the rocks or rocky., Morin derived from the personal name Morino, meaning dark-skinned., Nadeau means new or of recent origin., Tremblay means trembling or shaking.. It is a variant of Joachim. This surname in Hebrew refers to lifted by God or lifted by Yahweh., It is an occupational last name derived from the Latin word Suerius referring to an army., La Torre is a Spanish surname that means a tower., Lago is a toponymic surname referring to a lake or someone who lived by a lake., Lanzo is derived from an Old Germanic word landa referring to land., Leo originated from a Latin word that refers to a lion., This patronymic surname refers to son of Lope. The name Lope comes from the Latin word Lupus meaning a wolf.. Being the son of Nuno was quite a privilege in medieval times. Cervantes most commonly derives from the word servant or servandus, meaning one who cares for cattle. Cervantes was popularized by the novel Don Quixote, which is regarded as one of the pinnacles of literature and one of the worlds most translated books. Mesia was a small village where inhabitants fled during the Moorish invasion, escaping to regions where they would later set sail for the Americas. It derived from the Latin word Didacus or Didache, and means teaching., Domingo is the Spanish variant of the Latin name Dominicus, which means of the lord., Duarte is the Spanish form of Edward meaning rich guard., Duran is a Jewish or Catalan word referring to steadfast. In other derivatives, this name also suggests that it meant enduring or to be strong.. In the 13th-century, the bearer would have owned a fortified castle or tower, giving Torres an air of nobility and grand history. Trinidad refers to trinity or holy trinity in Spanish. Names are also considered unique due to their meaning. Other variants of the name are Espino, Espinosa or Espinoza., It is the Spanish form of the name Stephen, which comes from the Greek word Stephanos referring to a crown.. Our list will excite you and may even link you to the distant past. Meaning. Hence, you will find a blend of Catalonian, Spanish, and Basque names and some names influenced by certain parts of Europe and Western Asia. This is derived from the name of a province called Avila, in the present-day community of Castile and Leon in Spain. This means that Smith is held by around 1.5% of the US population. Determining the most uncommon last names is a difficult task as it can vary depending on the population and geographical area being considered. This name is a variant of Agua. Palmero is a toponymic surname referring to someone from the city of Palma in Spain. Bellacosa a name that means beautiful thing, possibly denoting someone with an attractive appearance or personality. They can be derived from a variety of sources such as regional origins, occupations, nicknames, and even physical characteristics. This toponymic surname refers to people belonging to Salamanca, a city situated in the northwestern part of Spain. A rich heritage that can be traced back to a christening by King Philip III. Guzman stems from a nobleman who sacrificed his sons life to save a town. German last names can have a variety of origins, including geographical, occupational, and personal names. 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. However, after marriage, women have the choice of adopting their husbands last names. Dominic was also given to children born on the Holy day, Sunday. It was also likely used as an insult, referring to a persons resemblance to the Hun or Goth invaders of Spain. American actress and four-time Golden Globe Award nominee Cameron Diaz is a famous bearer of this last name. Durn a name that means hard, durable or resilient. Alba Spanish From a Spanish nickname meaning "white". This name is a variant of Jasper and refers to a treasurer in Hebrew. Some uncommon European last names along with their meanings: Its worth noting that last names in Ireland can have multiple spellings and variations, and some may have evolved over time or been anglicized from their original Gaelic forms. These Hispanic last names could reveal your hidden history! It is derived from the Italian word Nero, which means black or dark., Nunez refers to a son of Nuno.. It is the Spanish word for curly and refers to someone with curly hair. 2011 - 2023 MomJunction Private Limited. Fernandez is a Spanish patronymic last name referring to son of Fernando or son of Ferdinand. Ferdinand has several origins and means a brave journey., It is a surname of Italian, Spanish and Catalan origin. Alcaraz - cherry. Contreras was the name of a Spanish village, and its inhabitants took its name with them as they traveled and spread across the country. It refers to bull or ox., This Spanish surname refers to hair or a person with a lot of hair., This name is derived from the Latin word Capraria referring to a place of goats., This Spanish last name means basin or a crater, and is also used to refer to a boiler or a cauldron.. Battenberg This was the surname adopted by a branch of the British royal family in 1917, and was later changed to Mountbatten in 1947. (Or sometimes it's just something you pick up when you get married. It has two possible references, one being the name of a city called Alfaro in La Rioja, Spain. This surname may have originally referred to people with dark or brown hair. 13 Ways for Busy Moms to Sneak in Some Me Time Moments. Aiza Spanish, Basque From Basque aitz meaning "rock, stone". Does your last name allude to the quality of strength? These were not fence-sitters; the name referred to close residences to stones or boundary markers. Many Spanish surnames end in the letter combination "ez." Break down barriers and start conversations with these practical ways to talk to teens. The word Palma also refers to palm in Spanish. 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. This is a toponymic last name and refers to people who belonged to the town of Anguiano in Spain. Sons of Hernando, or Fernando, were named after men who were given a name that implied courage or daring. Much of its popularity is due to King Ferdinand III, who captured much of Spain back from the Moors, for which he was declared a saint. It is probably an occupational surname given to those who worked as a flag-bearer. Martinez - son of Martin, Mars - the Roman god of war. Vega was a very common name when last names came into being. Atienza is an eponymous last name originated as a noble family name from the Manchego municipality (also called La Mancha) in Spain. Semyonov derived from the first name Semyon, which means hearing or listener. Overall, the rarity of a last name is less important than the personal connection and cultural significance it holds for you and your family. Though the name was Jewish, non-Jews kept the name after Jews were expelled from Spain in the 15th-century. Talamo is the bridal bed, and the suffix ante brings back medieval times when marriages were made for alliances. 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. Gallego is a toponymic last name referring to a person who came from the Galicia province in the northwest region of Spain. It is a toponymic last name and refers to a place called Gabaldon in the Cuenca province of Spain. 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. Santoro a name that means saint, indicating a familys religious beliefs or association with a particular saint. Spain has approximately 1,800 rivers, so this would have been a common name and likely used with lots of local knowledge. This is a variant of cardozo derived from the Latin word carduus meaning thorny.. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Aceves (Spanish origin) - likely a habitational surname based on the region of Acebo in western Spain. However, some uncommon last names may include: These last names are not common in many countries, but they may be more frequently found in certain regions or ethnic communities. Rivera - The Spanish word for "riverbank". Belize: Formerly British Honduras, Belize is the only Central American country that does not have a "Spanish culture" and is not Spanish speaking. People were also given this name if they came from the villages of Luna in Italy or Spain. Magro a surname that means thin or slender, possibly indicating a family member with a lean build or a frugal lifestyle. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This name is not definitive and wouldnt have increased very quickly. Esperanza is the Spanish variant of Sperantia which means to hope in Late Latin. It is important to note that the popularity and rarity of last names can change over time due to factors such as immigration, intermarriage, and cultural assimilation. Rubio is the Spanish word for blond and originally may have referred to people with blond hair or lightly-colored hair. Sala is an occupational surname referring to a worker at a manor house.. Guerra was likely given as a nickname for a soldier or someone who liked to fight like one. It is derived from the Greek word Andreas, and this Spanish surname means a man or masculine., It is related to the surname Andrada. Andres comes from the Greek word Andreas meaning a man, manly or masculine.. Mendez derives from the medieval name Menendo, meaning whole sacrifice. It is said to have stemmed from the personal name of a Visigoth royal who converted to Christianity and was canonized, forever cementing his name into Hispanic history. Castillo is the Spanish word for a castle and isnt describing a persons looks so much as where they lived or worked. A good man was a term for nobility in the 13th-century. Uncommon Last Names That Start With (A-Z), Abernathy Scottish surname meaning mouth of the river Nethy, Baskin Scottish surname meaning little basin, Cromwell English surname meaning crooked stream, Darcy Irish surname meaning descendant of the dark one, Endicott English surname meaning dweller at the end of the cottage, Fairchild English surname meaning beautiful child, Garland English surname meaning maker of garlands, Haverford Welsh surname meaning ford of the oats, Kipling English surname meaning cypling or cub, Llewellyn Welsh surname meaning leader of the army, Montgomery Norman French surname meaning Gumarichs mountain, Pendleton English surname meaning town by the hill, Quisenberry English surname meaning dweller by the thorn bush, Rutherford Scottish surname meaning cattle ford, Stanhope English surname meaning stony hollow, Thackeray English surname meaning dweller by the thatched roof, Underwood English surname meaning dweller in or near the forest, Vanderbilt Dutch surname meaning of or from the hill, Winslow English surname meaning hill with a meadow, York English surname meaning yew tree estate, Bokal Slovenian surname meaning bulls head, Chevalier French surname meaning knight or horseman, Dziewulski Polish surname meaning young man, Etxeberria Basque surname meaning new house, Fellenbaum German surname meaning pine tree, Gjokaj Albanian surname meaning son of Gjok, Hrvatin Croatian surname meaning Croatian person, Iwamasa Japanese surname meaning rocky shore, Jrgensen Danish and Norwegian surname meaning son of Jrgen, Kovalenko Ukrainian surname meaning son of a blacksmith, Lautenschlger German surname meaning loud striker or bell ringer, Mikhaylov Russian surname meaning son of Mikhaylo, Novotn Czech and Slovak surname meaning newcomer, OMurchadha Irish surname meaning descendant of Murchadh, Plsson Swedish surname meaning son of Pl, Quesada Spanish surname meaning place where thorns grow, Stpie Polish surname meaning steppe dweller, Turchi Italian surname meaning Turkish, Uyeda Japanese surname meaning above the valley, Boswell English and Scottish surname meaning well near the woods, Calabrese Italian surname meaning from Calabria, Deveraux French surname meaning from Evreux, Fairbanks English surname meaning fair banks, Giordano Italian surname meaning Jordan, Hartley English surname meaning stag meadow, Ibsen Danish and Norwegian surname meaning son of Ibs, Jovovich Serbian surname meaning son of Jovo, Kaur Punjabi surname meaning princess, Lefevre French surname meaning the smith, Mendoza Spanish surname meaning cold mountain, Novak Czech and Slovak surname meaning newcomer, OConnor Irish surname meaning descendant of Conchobhar, Pacheco Portuguese and Spanish surname meaning peacock, Strauss German surname meaning ostrich, Vandermeer Dutch surname meaning from the lake, Adkinson: English origin, meaning son of Adam, Arquette: French origin, meaning little altar, Avendano: Spanish origin, meaning place of the apricot tree, Beauregard: French origin, meaning beautiful gaze, Brousseau: French origin, meaning little brush, Clinkscales: English origin, meaning descendant of the son of the healer, Eckberg: German origin, meaning edge of the mountain, Gerred: German origin, meaning spear ruler, Ibsen: Norwegian origin, meaning son of Ib, Jannsen: Dutch origin, meaning son of Jan, Kressler: German origin, meaning merchant, Lippincott: English origin, meaning person from Lippincott, Milbrath: German origin, meaning famous for courage, Olsen: Scandinavian origin, meaning descendant of Olaf, Quance: English origin, meaning dweller at the oak tree, Svensson: Scandinavian origin, meaning son of Sven, Stark from the Game of Thrones TV show and book series, Underwood from the House of Cards TV show and book series, Swanson from the Parks and Recreation TV show, Bundy from the Married with Children TV show, Corleone from The Godfather movie and book series, Addams from the Addams Family TV show, movie, and cartoon series, McFly from the Back to the Future movie series, Flintstone from the Flintstones TV show and movie, Bundren from the As I Lay Dying novel by William Faulkner, Wormwood from the Matilda novel by Roald Dahl, Thatch from the Atlantis: The Lost Empire movie, Poppins from the Mary Poppins movie and book series, Arintaya: Sanskrit name meaning eternal king., Eilif: Scandinavian name meaning ever-living., Fane: Romanian name meaning Gods gracious gift., Gwendolyn: Welsh name meaning blessed ring., Hyacinth: Greek name meaning purple flower., Ilom: Native American name meaning trust., Jaxon: English name meaning son of Jack., Barrowclough: English name meaning meadow near a hill., Chilvers: English name meaning place where wildflowers grow., Dallimore: English name meaning valley covered in woodland., Elstone: English name meaning elder tree settlement., Fenwick: English name meaning marshy land in a river bend., Goudie: Scottish name meaning good deed., Henman: English name meaning hen settler., Izzard: English name meaning iron arrowhead., Jepson: English name meaning son of Jeffery., Keirle: English name meaning marshy meadow..