Mexican last names are modeled on positivity, strength and fuse the country’s traditional as well as colonial past. If you’re looking for some cool Mexican surnames and want to know their meanings and origins, you’re at the right place!
Mexico, a vibrant North American country, boasts diverse landscapes from deserts to beaches, rich cultural heritage, and ancient ruins like Chichen Itza.
It’s known for its flavorful cuisine, including tacos and mole. Spanish is the official language, and its history is a fusion of indigenous civilizations and colonial influences.
Mexico City, its capital, is a bustling metropolis with a mix of modernity and tradition.
Mexican Naming Traditions
Mexican naming traditions often combine Spanish and Indigenous influences. Individuals typically have two last names – the paternal and maternal surnames.
The father’s surname comes first, emphasizing lineage. Common given names are influenced by Catholicism, honoring saints, and local cultures.
Double-barreled last names ensure familial ties are acknowledged, reflecting Mexico’s rich historical and cultural blend. Source
Popular Mexican Last Names
- Hernandez – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Son of Hernando”, a form of Fernando.
- Garcia – Origin: Basque. Meaning: “Bear” or “Brave warrior”.
- Rodriguez – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Son of Rodrigo”, derived from the Germanic name Hrodrich, meaning “famous ruler”.
- Llamas – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Flames” in Spanish.
- Mojica – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: Possibly derived from the Latin word “muticus,” meaning “mutilated”.
- Terrazas – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Terraces” in Spanish.
- Perez – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Son of Pedro”, derived from the name Peter, meaning “rock”.
- Gonzalez – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Son of Gonzalo”, derived from the name Gundisalvus, meaning “battle”.
- Sanchez – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Son of Sancho”, derived from a Germanic name meaning “holy” or “sacred”.
- Ramirez – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Son of Ramiro”, derived from the Germanic name Raginmar, meaning “mighty protector”.
- Flores – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Flowers” in Spanish.
- Torres – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Towers” in Spanish.
- Rivera – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Riverbank” in Spanish.
- Cruz – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Cross” in Spanish.
Mexican Last Names Associated With Strength
- Jimenez – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Son of Jimeno”, a form of the name Ximeno, of uncertain origin.
- Morales – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Mulberry tree” in Spanish.
- Diaz – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Son of Diego”, derived from the name James, meaning “supplanter”.
- Ortega – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: Possibly derived from the Latin word “ortica,” meaning “nettle”.
- Romero – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Pilgrim to Rome” in Spanish.
- Vargas – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: Likely derived from the Basque word “bargas,” meaning “slope”.
- Delgado – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Thin” or “slender” in Spanish.
- Rios – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Rivers” in Spanish.
- Mendoza – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: From the place name “Mendoza” in Spain.
- Cervantes – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: Derived from the Latin word “cervus,” meaning “deer”.
- Soto – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Grove” or “thicket” in Spanish.
- Pacheco – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: Possibly derived from the Basque word “pats,” meaning “barley”.
- Nunez – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Son of Nuño,” a medieval given name.
- Herrera – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: Derived from the Spanish word “hierro,” meaning “iron”.
- Aguilar – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: Derived from the Latin word “aquila,” meaning “eagle”.
Mexican Surnames Related To Positivity
- Rivas – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Shore” or “riverbank” in Spanish.
- Contreras – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: Derived from the Latin word “contra,” meaning “opposite”, and “terras,” meaning “land”.
- Miranda – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: Derived from the Latin word “mirandus,” meaning “worthy of admiration”.
- Guzman – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: Derived from the Basque words “gutz,” meaning “good”, and “mann,” meaning “man”.
- Pena – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Pain” or “sorrow” in Spanish.
- Ibarra – Origin: Basque. Meaning: Derived from the Basque words “ibar,” meaning “meadow”, and “har,” meaning “valley”.
- Valencia – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: From the place name “Valencia” in Spain.
- Dominguez – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Son of Domingo”, derived from the Latin name “Dominicus,” meaning “of the Lord”.
- Lozano – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: Possibly derived from the Latin word “lusus,” meaning “game” or “sport”.
- Barajas – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: From the place name “Barajas” in Spain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are rare Mexican last names?
Some of the Rare Mexican last names are:
- Zosaya
- Zecuatl,
- Xospa
- Xijum
- Waldestran
- Vleeschower
- Tejalcingo
- Tintos
- Suzuki
- Saltijeral. Source
What are some popular Mexican last names?
Top 5 are:
- Hernández – 5,526,929.
- García – 4,129,360.
- Martínez – 3,886,887.
- González – 3,188,693.
- López – 3,148,024. Source
What is Mexico full names?
The official legal name of the country is ‘United Mexican States‘. Source
| Rank | Surname | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hernandez | 1:25 |
Popular Mexican Last Names
- Leon – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Lion” in Spanish.
- Cordero – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Lamb” in Spanish.
- Sandoval – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: From the place name “Sandoval” in Spain.
- Fuentes – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Fountains” in Spanish.
- Rangel – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: Possibly derived from the Latin word “rancor,” meaning “bitterness”.
- Zamora – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: From the place name “Zamora” in Spain.
- Vela – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Sail” in Spanish.
- Jaramillo – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: Possibly derived from the Arabic word “jaram,” meaning “water”.
- Mendez – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Son of Mendo,” a given name of uncertain origin.
- Paredes – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Walls” in Spanish.
- Galindo – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: Derived from the Germanic name “Gelind,” meaning “gentle”.
- Quintero – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Group of five” or “crossroads” in Spanish.
- Robles – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Oaks” in Spanish.
- Cisneros – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: Derived from the Latin word “cineris,” meaning “ashes”.
- Solis – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: “Sun” in Spanish.
- Carrasco – Origin: Spanish. Meaning: Derived from the Latin word “caraxus,” meaning “thicket”.
Summary!
Hopefully, you found this list of Mexican Last Names useful!
Also Read: Popular Yaqui Indian Last Names
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