Mexican Last Names with Meanings

Ever wondered about the meaning behind your Mexican surname? Many Mexican last names, like Hernández (son of Hernando) and García (son of García), are patronymic, meaning they tell of your paternal lineage. Others, like Aguilar ("eagle's nest"), are habitational, indicating ancestral origins. Unveiling your surname's meaning can be a fun way to connect with your family's rich history.

Mexican last names, or apellidos, carry a rich history and deep cultural significance. They often reflect heritage, family trades, and even personal characteristics.

Top 10 Mexican Last Names

Mexican Last Names	Meaning
Aguilar	It means “haunt of eagles.”
Alvarez	It means “son of Alvaro.”
Cano	It means “white-haired.”
Castillo	That refers to someone who lived near a large fortified building or castle.
Castro	This is a topographic name for a castle or fortress in the Galicia region of Spain.
Cisneros	It mean “swan.” It is also a habitational name for a place in the province of Palencia.
Cortes	It is a nickname for a refined or courteous person.
Cruz	It means “cross” or “dweller by a cross.”
Cuevas	This is a habitational name for caves found in the provinces of Burgos and Malaga.
De Leon	It can relate to the Spanish city of Leon or mean “son of Leon.”

Best Mexican Last Names

Mexican surnames can be traced back to the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the 16th century. The Spanish naming customs were adopted, leading to the use of both paternal (apellido paterno) and maternal (apellido materno) last names.

Here are 100 Unique Mexican last names along with their meanings:

1, Hernandez Derived from the Spanish given name "Hernando," meaning "bold voyager" or "bold journey."

2, Garcia Derived from the given name "Garcia," meaning "young" or "youthful."

3, Martinez Derived from the given name "Martin," meaning "warrior" or "warlike."

4, Lopez Derived from the given name "Lope," which means "wolf."

5, Gonzalez Derived from the given name "Gonzalo," meaning "battle" or "war."

6, Rodriguez Derived from the given name "Rodrigo," meaning "famous ruler" or "powerful ruler."

7, Perez Derived from the given name "Pedro," meaning "rock" or "stone."

8, Sanchez Derived from the given name "Sancho," meaning "saintly" or "holy."

9, Ramirez Derived from the given name "Ramiros," meaning "wise protector."

10, Flores Means "flowers" in Spanish.

11, Torres Means "towers" or "castle" in Spanish.

12, Rivera Means "riverbank" in Spanish.

13, Mendoza Derived from the Basque place name "Mendoza," meaning "cold mountain."

14, Medina Derived from the Arabic word "medina," meaning "city" or "town."

15, Aguilar Means "eagle" in Spanish.

16, Vargas Derived from the Old Norse word "Vargr," meaning "wolf."

17, Dominguez Derived from the given name "Domingo," meaning "of the Lord" or "belonging to God."

18, Espinoza Means "thorny" or "spiny" in Spanish.

19, Rios Means "rivers" in Spanish.

20, Chavez Derived from the Basque word "chabaz," meaning "beautiful" or "handsome."

21, Jimenez Derived from the given name "Ximeno," meaning "son of Simon."

22, Guzman Derived from the Basque word "gutz," meaning "good" or "kind."

23, Morales Derived from the Spanish word "moral," meaning "mulberry tree."

24, Pacheco Derived from the Basque word "paitz," meaning "birch tree."

25, Castillo Means "castle" or "fortress" in Spanish.

26, Ortiz Derived from the Latin word "ortus," meaning "east" or "rising."

27, Leon Means "lion" in Spanish.

28, Robles Means "oak trees" in Spanish.

29, Rosales Derived from the Spanish word "rosal," meaning "rose bush."

30, Villa Means "town" or "village" in Spanish.

31, Navarro Derived from the Basque word "naba," meaning "valley."

32, Serrano Means "mountain dweller" or "highlander" in Spanish.

33, Acosta Derived from the Basque word "akotz," meaning "holly tree."

34, Cervantes Derived from the Latin word "cervus," meaning "deer."

35, Zamora Derived from the Arabic word "az

36, Pena Means "rocky hill" or "cliff" in Spanish.

37, Ibarra Derived from the Basque word "ibar," meaning "meadow" or "valley."

38, Molina Derived from the Latin word "molina," meaning "mill."

39, Gallegos Means "Galician" in Spanish, referring to someone from the Galicia region of Spain.

40, Salazar Derived from the Basque words "sala," meaning "hall," and "zahar," meaning "old."

41, Cisneros Derived from the Latin word "cisne," meaning "swan."

42, Mendez Derived from the Latin word "mendicus," meaning "beggar" or "poor."

43, Franco Means "French" in Spanish.

44, Herrera Derived from the Latin word "ferraria," meaning "iron mine" or "ironworks."

45, Rojas Means "red" in Spanish.

46, Nunez Derived from the given name "Nuno," meaning "ninth."

47, Blanco Means "white" in Spanish.

48, Salinas Means "saltworks" or "salt marsh" in Spanish.

49, Fuentes Means "springs" or "fountains" in Spanish.

50, Figueroa Derived from the Spanish word "figueroa," meaning "fig tree."

51, Ochoa Derived from the Basque word "otxo," meaning "wolf."

52, Cardenas Derived from the Spanish word "cardena," meaning "ridge" or "crest."

53, Medina Derived from the Arabic word "medina," meaning "city" or "town."

54, Aguayo Derived from the Basque word "agur," meaning "farewell."

55, Guerra Means "war" or "battle" in Spanish.

56, Cabrera Derived from the Latin word "caprarius," meaning "goatherd."

57, Rosario Means "rosary" or "garland of roses" in Spanish.

58, Barajas Derived from the Basque word "baratza," meaning "garden" or "orchard."

59, Tapia Means "wall" or "enclosure" in Spanish.

60, Quintana Derived from the Latin word "quintus," meaning "fifth."

61, Navarro Derived from the Basque word "naba," meaning "valley."

62, Soto Means "grove" or "small forest" in Spanish.

63, Escobar Derived from the Basque word "eskobar," meaning "ash tree."

64, Tovar Derived from the Latin word "tutus," meaning "safe" or "secure."

65, Lozano Means "high" or "elevated" in Spanish.

66, Duarte Derived from the Germanic name "Edward," meaning "rich guard."

67, Bernal Derived from the Germanic name "Bernwald," meaning "bear power."

68, Villanueva Means "new town" or "new village" in Spanish.

69, Arroyo Means "stream" or "brook" in Spanish.

70, Villarreal Derived from the Spanish words "villar," meaning "hamlet," and "real," meaning "royal."

71, Trevino Derived from the Basque word "trebi," meaning "ford" or "crossing."

72, Macias Derived from the Basque word "makil," meaning "cane" or "walking stick."

73, Rojas Means "red" in Spanish.

74, Sosa Derived from the Latin word "saxa," meaning "stones" or "rocks."

75, Sandoval Means "sandy valley" in Spanish.

76, Mendez Derived from the Latin word "mendicus," meaning "beggar" or "poor."

77, Delgado Means "thin" or "slender" in Spanish.

78, Galindo Derived from the Visigothic name "Gelind," meaning "gentle" or "kind."

79, Jaimes Derived from the Hebrew name "Jacob," meaning "supplanter" or "holder of the heel."

80, Escamilla Derived from the Basque word "ezkama," meaning "parcel of land."

81, Barrios Means "neighborhoods" or "districts" in Spanish.

82, Pineda Means "pine forest" or "pine grove" in Spanish.

83, Noriega Derived from the Basque word "noria," meaning "waterwheel."

84, Rangel Derived from the Latin word "radius," meaning "ray" or "beam."

85, Quintero Derived from the Latin word "quintus," meaning "fifth."

86, Rivas Means "riverbanks" in Spanish.

87, Maldonado Derived from the Latin word "malus," meaning "bad" or "evil," and "donatus," meaning "given."

88, Reynoso Derived from the Latin word "regnum," meaning "kingdom" or "realm."

89, Pantoja Derived from the Basque word "pantza," meaning "belly" or "stomach."

90, Valdez Derived from the Latin word "valens," meaning "strong" or "worthy."

91, Mendoza Derived from the Basque place name "Mendoza," meaning "cold mountain."

92, Avila Derived from the Latin word "avis," meaning "bird."

93, Palacios Means "palaces" in Spanish.

94, Deleon Means "of the lion" in Spanish.

95, Urena Derived from the Basque word "urre," meaning "gold."

96, Aviles Derived from the Latin word "avis," meaning "bird."

97, Valle Means "valley" in Spanish.

98, Cordero Means "lamb" in Spanish.

99, Meza Means "table" or "meadow" in Spanish.

100, Bueno Means "good" or "kind" in Spanish.

These names often have Spanish, Basque, or Latin origins and carry significant meanings related to nature, geography, or historical contexts in Mexican culture.

Common Mexican Last Names

Some of the most common Mexican last names include “Garcia,” “Martinez,” and “Rodriguez.” These names are derived from ancient Spanish occupations or personal traits.

Unique Features of Mexican Last Names

In Mexico, it’s customary to use both parents’ last names. The father’s surname is listed first, followed by the mother’s. This tradition honors both sides of a person’s lineage.

The Influence of Mexican Last Names

Mexican last names have spread far beyond Mexico’s borders, especially into the United States, due to migration. They’ve become an integral part of the multicultural tapestry of many nations.

In conclusion, Mexican last names hold a wealth of information about a person’s ancestry and cultural background. They’re much more than just identifiers; they’re a link to the past and a bridge to the future.