407+ Mexican Last Names [With Meanings]

Mexican last names have several unique characteristics that reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage and history.

Here are some of the key characteristics of Mexican last names:

• Patronymic and Matronymic Origins: Many Mexican last names are derived from the father’s or mother’s given name. For example, “Garcia” means “son of Garcia,” while “Lopez” means “son of Lope.”
• Spanish Influence: The majority of Mexican last names have a Spanish origin. During the colonial period, Spanish settlers brought their naming conventions to Mexico. As a result, many Mexican surnames have a similar structure and sound to Spanish surnames.
• Indigenous Roots: Some Mexican last names have indigenous roots. Indigenous people in Mexico often used one name, and after the arrival of the Spanish, they adopted surnames, often based on their location, occupation or physical appearance.
• Double Surnames: In Mexico, it is common for individuals to have two surnames, one from their father’s family and the other from their mother’s family. The father’s last name is listed first, followed by the mother’s last name. For example, if Juan Garcia and Maria Lopez have a child named Ana, her full name would be Ana Garcia Lopez.
• Regional Variations: Different regions in Mexico have their own unique last name conventions. For example, last names that end with “ez” are more common in northern Mexico, while last names that end with “o” are more common in southern Mexico.
• Religious Influences: Some Mexican last names have religious origins, often referring to saints or religious figures. For example, “Santos” means “saints,” while “Cruz” means “cross.”

Overall, Mexican last names are a fascinating mix of indigenous, Spanish, and religious influences, and reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Most Common Mexican Last Names

Most Common Mexican Last Names:

• Garcia: This is the most common last name in Mexico and is derived from the Basque language, meaning “young” or “young warrior.”
• Hernandez: This name is of Spanish origin and means “son of Hernando,” which is a variant of Ferdinand.
• Martinez: This is a patronymic last name meaning “son of Martin,” which is derived from the Latin name Martinus.
• Lopez: This name comes from the Latin name Lupus, meaning “wolf.”
• Gonzalez: This last name means “son of Gonzalo,” which is derived from the Germanic name Gundisalvus.
• Rodriguez: This is a patronymic last name meaning “son of Rodrigo,” which is derived from the Germanic name Roderick.
• Perez: This is a patronymic last name meaning “son of Pedro,” which is derived from the Latin name Petrus.
• Sanchez: This last name means “son of Sancho,” which is derived from the Germanic name Santo.
• Flores: This last name means “flowers” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a flowery or flamboyant personality.
• Gomez: This last name is derived from the Latin name Gomis and means “man.”

Popular Mexican Last Names

Popular Mexican Last Names:

• Chavez: This last name means “key” in Spanish and is a popular name in Mexico.
• Reyes: This last name means “kings” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person of royal or noble descent.
• Jimenez: This is a patronymic last name meaning “son of Jimeno,” which is derived from the Latin name Iacobus.
• Espinoza: This last name means “thorny” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a prickly or difficult personality.
• Mendoza: This is a locational last name referring to a place in Spain, meaning “cold mountain.”
• Aguilar: This last name means “eagle hunter” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a sharp, focused personality.
• Torres: This last name means “towers” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a tall or imposing presence.
• Rios: This last name means “rivers” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a fluid, dynamic personality.
• Ramirez: This is a patronymic last name meaning “son of Ramiro,” which is derived from the Germanic name Raginmar.
• Castro: This last name means “castle” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a strong, protective personality.

Uncommon Mexican Last Names

Uncommon Mexican Last Names:

• Maldonado: This last name means “badly given” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person who has received a negative reputation.
• Fuentes: This last name means “fountains” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a creative, artistic personality.
• Morales: This last name means “moral” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a strong sense of ethics or values.
• Sotelo: This last name is derived from the Basque word “zotil,” meaning “gentleman.”
• Zepeda: This last name is derived from the Basque word “zabeda,” meaning “place of the raven.”
• Yañez: This last name means “son of Juan,” which is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan.
• Arroyo: This last name means “stream” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a calm, peaceful nature.
• Acosta: This last name is derived from the Basque word “akostar,” meaning “shore.”
• Mata: This last name means “kill” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with an assertive attitude.
• Vega: This last name is derived from the Basque word “bega,” meaning “meadow.”
• Beltran: This last name is derived from the Germanic word “berhtramn,” meaning “bright raven.”
• Gomez: This last name means “man” in Spanish and is often used to describe a hard worker or provider.
• Rojas: This last name means “red” in Spanish and is often used to describe a passionate, fiery person.
• Perez: This last name means “son of Pedro,” which is derived from the Latin word “petra,” meaning “stone.”
• Sierra: This last name means “mountain range” in Spanish and is often used to describe a strong-willed individual.
• Padilla: This last name means “little field” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person who loves nature or the outdoors.
• Lopez: This last name means “son of Lope,” which is derived from the Germanic word “hlud,” meaning “famous.”
• Reyes: This last name means “kings” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with leadership qualities.
• Navarro: This last name is derived from the Basque word “naiara,” meaning “plain.”
• Ramirez: This last name is derived from the Germanic words “ragin” and “marah,” which mean “advice” and “bitter,” respectively.
• Delgado: This last name means “thin” or “slender” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a slim physique.
• Juarez: This last name is derived from the Basque word “hartz,” meaning “mountain.”
• Gallegos: This last name is derived from the Latin word “gallecus,” meaning “Gaulish.”
• Hernandez: This last name means “son of Hernán,” which is derived from the Germanic elements “hari” and “man,” meaning “army” and “man,” respectively.
• Martinez: This last name means “son of Martín,” which is derived from the Latin word “martius,” meaning “warlike.”
• Dominguez: This last name means “son of Domingo,” which is derived from the Latin word “dominicus,” meaning “of the Lord.”
• Carrasco: This last name means “battle ready” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a brave, courageous spirit.
• Castillo: This last name means “castle” in Spanish and is often used to describe an individual with a powerful, regal aura.
• Gutierrez: This last name means “son of Gutierre,” which is derived from the Germanic elements “wido” and “heri,” meaning “wood” and “army/host.”

Hispanic Last Names | Indigenous Roots

Mexican Last Names That Start With… A-Z

Rare Mexican Last Names

Rare Mexican Last Names:

• Bautista: This last name means “baptized” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a strong religious background.
• Cervantes: This last name is derived from the Latin name Servantus and means “servant.”
• Delgado: This last name means “thin” or “slender” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a lean build.
• Esquivel: This last name is derived from the Basque word “eskibel,” meaning “a bush or shrub.”
• Gallegos: This last name refers to a person from Galicia, a region in northwest Spain.
• Herrera: This last name is derived from the Latin name Ferrarius and means “iron worker.”
• Ibarra: This last name refers to a place in the Basque Country and means “valley.”
• Jauregui: This last name means “house of the Lord” in Basque and is often used to describe a person with a strong religious background.
• Luna: This last name means “moon” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a calm, serene personality.
• Navarro: This last name refers to a person from Navarre, a region in northern Spain.

Unique Mexican Last Names

Unique Mexican Last Names:

• Alderete: This last name means “little alder tree” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a nature-inspired personality.
• Avilés: This last name refers to a person from Avilés, a city in northern Spain.
• Basurto: This last name is derived from the Basque word “bazurtu,” meaning “to become rich.”
• Calderón: This last name means “large cauldron” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a warm, welcoming personality.
• Domínguez: This last name means “son of Domingo,” which is derived from the Latin name Dominicus.
• Echegaray: This last name means “place of the oak trees” in Basque and is often used to describe a person with a strong, sturdy personality.
• Garza: This last name means “heron” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a graceful, elegant personality.
• León: This last name means “lion” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a bold, fearless personality.
• Nava: This last name means “plain” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a simple, down-to-earth personality.
• Rivas: This last name means “river banks” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a calm, steady personality.

Mexican Last Names List

Here’s a list of 100+ common Mexican last names:

• Aguilar
• Alvarado
• Alvarez
• Andrade
• Arce
• Armenta
• Avila
• Baez
• Beltran
• Benitez
• Bermudez
• Blanco
• Briones
• Calderon
• Campos
• Cardenas
• Carranza
• Carrasco
• Carrillo
• Castillo
• Castro
• Cervantes
• Chavez
• Contreras
• Cortes
• Covarrubias
• Cruz
• De la Cruz
• Delgado
• Diaz
• Dominguez
• Duarte
• Duran
• Escalante
• Escamilla
• Escobar
• Espinosa
• Espinoza
• Estrada
• Farias
• Fernandez
• Flores
• Franco
• Frías
• Galindo
• Gallegos
• Gamboa
• Garcia
• Garza
• Gomez
• Gonzales
• Gonzalez
• Guerrero
• Guillen
• Gutierrez
• Guzman
• Haro
• Hernandez
• Herrera
• Ibarra
• Jimenez
• Juarez
• Lara
• Leal
• Leon
• Lira
• Loera
• Lopez
• Luna
• Macias
• Maldonado
• Manriquez
• Marin
• Martinez
• Mata
• Medina
• Mendoza
• Mercado
• Meza
• Miranda
• Molina
• Montes
• Montoya
• Morales
• Moreno
• Munoz
• Murillo
• Nava
• Navarro
• Nunez
• Ochoa
• Oliva
• Olvera
• Ortega
• Ortiz
• Pacheco
• Padilla
• Palacios
• Paredes
• Perez
• Piña
• Pineda
• Quiñones
• Ramirez
• Ramos
• Rangel
• Renteria
• Reyes
• Rios
• Rivera
• Robles
• Rodriguez
• Rojas
• Romero
• Rubio
• Ruiz
• Salas
• Salazar
• Salcedo
• Saldana
• Salinas
• Sanchez
• Sandoval
• Santos
• Segura
• Sepulveda
• Silva
• Solis
• Soto
• Tapia
• Tellez
• Torres
• Trevino
• Ugalde
• Uribe
• Valdez
• Valdivia
• Valencia
• Valenzuela
• Varela
• Vargas
• Vasquez
• Vega
• Velasco
• Velazquez
• Vera
• Vidal
• Villa
• Villalobos
• Villanueva

Top Mexican Last Names

Top Mexican Last Names:

• Garcia: This is the most common last name in Mexico and is derived from the Basque language, meaning “young” or “young warrior.”
• Hernandez: This name is of Spanish origin and means “son of Hernando,” which is a variant of Ferdinand.
• Martinez: This is a patronymic last name meaning “son of Martin,” which is derived from the Latin name Martinus.
• Lopez: This name comes from the Latin name Lupus, meaning “wolf.”
• Gonzalez: This last name means “son of Gonzalo,” which is derived from the Germanic name Gundisalvus.
• Rodriguez: This is a patronymic last name meaning “son of Rodrigo,” which is derived from the Germanic name Roderick.
• Perez: This is a patronymic last name meaning “son of Pedro,” which is derived from the Latin name Petrus.
• Sanchez: This is a patronymic last name meaning “son of Sancho,” which is derived from the Germanic name Sanctius.
• Mora: This Spanish-origin name means “blackberry.”
• Gomez: This is a patronymic last name meaning “son of Goméz,” which was originally derived from the Visigoths’ Goths’ tribal name Guma.
• Jimenez: This is a patronymic last name meaning “son of Jimeno,” which is derived from the Basque language, where it means “right-handed.”
• Gutierrez: This Spanish origin surname means “son of Gutierre,” and has its roots in Germanic personal names beginning with the elements “gut” or “guð.”
• Juarez: This surname is of Spanish origin and means “son of Juarraz.” The name is derived from the Germanic personal names beginning with the element “jor,” meaning “earth-worker.”
• Rios: This last name has multiple origins, one being Latin for “rivers,” and another being Spanish for “sons of Río,” which was a nickname referring to a person who lived near a river.
• Diaz: This Spanish patronymic surname means “son of Diego,” which itself is derived from the Latin Didacus, meaning “teacher” or “instructor.”
• Romero: This Spanish-origin last name is derived from the Latin Romerius and means “son of Rome,” referring to a person who originated from Rome.
• Cruz: This last name is of Spanish origin, meaning “cross” or “crucifix.” The name was initially used to denote a person who had taken the cross in one of the religious crusades.
• Vazquez: This patronymic surname means “son of Vasco,” which comes from the Basque personal name Vasca, meaning “crow.”

Cool Mexican Last Names

Cool Mexican Last Names:

• Valencia: This last name means “valley of strength” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a resilient personality.
• Reyes: This last name means “kings” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a noble and dignified personality.
• Mendoza: This last name refers to a place in Spain and is often used to describe a person with a refined and cultured personality.
• Vega: This last name means “meadow” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a calm and peaceful personality.
• Barrera: This last name means “barrier” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a protective and defensive personality.
• Torres: This last name means “towers” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a strong and imposing personality.
• Morales: This last name means “moral” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a strong sense of ethics and values.
• Quiroz: This last name means “place of brambles” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a tough and resilient personality.
• Luna: This last name means “moon” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a calm and serene personality.

Basic Mexican Last Names

Basic Mexican Last Names:

• Perez: This is a common last name in Mexico and is a patronymic name meaning “son of Pedro.”
• Garcia: This is the most common last name in Mexico and means “young” or “young warrior” in Basque.
• Hernandez: This name is of Spanish origin and means “son of Hernando.”
• Lopez: This name comes from the Latin name Lupus, meaning “wolf.”
• Martinez: This is a patronymic last name meaning “son of Martin.”
• Rodriguez: This is a patronymic last name meaning “son of Rodrigo.”
• Gonzalez: This last name means “son of Gonzalo.”
• Sanchez: This is a patronymic last name meaning “son of Sancho.”
• Romero: This last name means “pilgrim” in Spanish.

Mexican-American Last Names

Good Mexican Last Names

Good Mexican Last Names:

• Amador – Meaning “lover” or “admirer”.
• Alegria – Meaning “joy” or “happiness”.
• Bueno – Meaning “good”.
• Carrillo – Meaning “little cart” or “little carriage”.
• Flores – Meaning “flowers”.
• Herrera – Meaning “iron-worker”.
• Leon – Meaning “lion”.
• Luna – Meaning “moon”.
• Rosas – Meaning “roses”.
• Solis – Meaning “sun”.
• Escobar: This last name is of Basque origin and means “beyond the thicket.”
• Barragan: This last name means “shepherd” in Basque and is often used to describe a person with a caring and protective personality.
• Castellanos: This last name means “castle” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a strong and enduring personality.
• Herrera: This last name means “ironworker” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a hardworking and determined personality.
• Miranda: This last name means “admirable” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a charming and admirable personality.
• Morales: This last name means “moral” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with strong moral values and ethics.
• Reyes: This last name means “kings” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a noble and dignified personality.
• Solis: This last name means “sun” in Spanish and is often used to describe a person with a bright and cheerful personality.
• Vargas: This last name refers to a place in Spain and is often used to describe a person with a dignified and respectable personality.

Long Mexican Last Names

Long Mexican Last Names:

• Benítez – Meaning “son of Benito”.
• Contreras – Meaning “opposes the streets”.
• Espinoza – Meaning “thorny”.
• Fernández – Meaning “son of Fernando”.
• González – Meaning “son of Gonzalo”.
• Jiménez – Meaning “son of Jimeno”.
• Mendoza – Meaning “cold mountain”.
• Ramírez – Meaning “son of Ramiro”.
• Rodríguez – Meaning “son of Rodrigo”.
• Velázquez – Meaning “son of Velasco”.
• Gutierrez-Medina: A combination of two last names, meaning “son of Gutierre and from Medina.”
• Alvarez-Valenzuela: A combination of two last names, meaning “son of Alvaro and from Valenzuela.”
• Flores-Campos: A combination of two last names, meaning “son of Flores and from Campos.”
• Rodriguez-Gonzalez: A combination of two last names, meaning “son of Rodrigo and Gonzalo.”
• Ramirez-Hernandez: A combination of two last names, meaning “son of Ramiro and Hernando.”
• Martinez-Sanchez: A combination of two last names, meaning “son of Martin and Sancho.”
• Aguilar-Mendoza: A combination of two last names, meaning “son of Aguila and from Mendoza.”
• Perez-Garcia: A combination of two last names, meaning “son of Pedro and from Garcia.”
• Herrera-Navarro: A combination of two last names, meaning “son of Herrera and from Navarro.”

Famous Mexican Last Names

Famous Mexican Last Names:

• Azcárraga – Associated with Emilio Azcárraga Jean, the chairman of Televisa, the largest media company in the Spanish-speaking world.
• Calderón – Associated with Felipe Calderón, the former President of Mexico.
• Guzmán – Associated with Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, a notorious drug lord.
• López Obrador – Associated with the current President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
• Slim – Associated with Carlos Slim Helú, a business magnate and one of the richest people in the world.
• Suárez – Associated with Luis Suárez, a Mexican soccer player.
• Treviño – Associated with Gloria Treviño, a singer and songwriter.
• Vargas – Associated with Pedro Vargas, a famous singer and actor.
• Villarreal – Associated with Jonathan Villarreal, a Mexican soccer player.
• Zapatá – Associated with Emiliano Zapata, a leading figure in the Mexican Revolution.
• Salma Hayek: The actress Salma Hayek has a common last name in Mexico, meaning “son of Jaime.”
• Frida Kahlo: The artist Frida Kahlo has a last name of German origin, meaning “bald.”
• Diego Rivera: The artist Diego Rivera has a last name of Spanish origin, meaning “riverbank.”
• Carlos Slim: The businessman Carlos Slim has a last name of Lebanese origin, meaning “healthy” or “slim.”
• Gael Garcia Bernal: The actor Gael Garcia Bernal has a last name of Basque origin, meaning “young warrior.”
• Octavio Paz: The writer and Nobel laureate Octavio Paz has a last name of Spanish origin, meaning “peace.”
• Mario Molina: The chemist and Nobel laureate Mario Molina has a last name of Italian origin, meaning “miller.”
• Vicente Fox: The former president of Mexico has a last name of English origin, meaning “fox.”

Note: These last names may have various meanings, and the meanings provided may not be the only ones.

Native Mexican Last Names

Native Mexican Last Names:

• Aguilar – Meaning “eagle hunter”.
• Cervantes – Meaning “deer hunter”.
• Cuauhtémoc – Meaning “descending sun” or “descending eagle”.
• Iturbide – Meaning “the place where the dust is made”.
• Moctezuma – Meaning “he who is angry like a lord or a king”.
• Nahuatl – Refers to the Nahuatl people, an indigenous group from central Mexico.
• Tenochtitlan – Refers to the capital city of the Aztec empire.
• Tlaxcala – Refers to the Tlaxcaltec people, an indigenous group from central Mexico.
• Xochimilco – Meaning “the place where the flowers grow”.
• Zapotec – Refers to the Zapotec people, an indigenous group from Oaxaca.

Cute Mexican Last Names

Cute Mexican Last Names:

• Alvarado – Meaning “guardian of all”.
• Castellanos – Meaning “castle”.
• Delgado – Meaning “thin” or “slender”.
• Espinosa – Meaning “thorny”.
• Garcia – Meaning “young warrior”.
• Gonzalez – Meaning “son of Gonzalo”.
• Hernandez – Meaning “son of Hernán”.
• Maldonado – Meaning “badly donned” or “poorly dressed”.
• Ortiz – Meaning “son of Orto”.
• Sandoval – Meaning “sandy valley”.

Pretty Mexican Last Names

Pretty Mexican Last Names:

• Acosta – Meaning “coast”.
• Bautista – Meaning “baptist”.
• Camacho – Meaning “crooked” or “bent”.
• Esquivel – Meaning “one who hides or evades”.
• Lara – Meaning “seagull”.
• Moreno – Meaning “brown” or “dark-skinned”.
• Palma – Meaning “palm tree”.
• Peralta – Meaning “high rock”.
• Reyes – Meaning “kings”.
• Valencia – Meaning “brave”.

Best Mexican Last Names

Best Mexican Last Names:

• Garcia: This common last name in Mexico means “bear” in Basque and is often associated with strength and courage.
• Martinez: This last name means “son of Martin” in Spanish and is often associated with intelligence and wisdom.
• Hernandez: This last name means “son of Hernando” in Spanish and is often associated with determination and resilience.
• Gonzalez: This last name means “son of Gonzalo” in Spanish and is often associated with nobility and honor.
• Flores: This last name means “flowers” in Spanish and is often associated with beauty and grace.
• Perez: This last name means “son of Pedro” in Spanish and is often associated with kindness and generosity.
• Reyes: This last name means “kings” in Spanish and is often associated with dignity and respect.
• Torres: This last name means “towers” in Spanish and is often associated with strength and protection.
• Rodriguez: This last name means “son of Rodrigo” in Spanish and is often associated with courage and bravery.

Rich Mexican Last Names

Rich Mexican Last Names:

• Slim: This last name belongs to the wealthy businessman Carlos Slim and is of Lebanese origin, meaning “healthy” or “slim.”
• Azcarraga: This last name belongs to the family who owns the media company Televisa and is of Basque origin, meaning “oak.”
• Bailleres: This last name belongs to the family who owns the mining company Grupo Bal and is of French origin, meaning “dancer.”
• Garza: This last name belongs to the family who owns the beer company Grupo Modelo and is of Spanish origin, meaning “heron.”
• Larrea: This last name belongs to the family who owns the mining company Grupo Mexico and is of Basque origin, meaning “mill.”
• Salinas: This last name belongs to the family who owns the retail and media company Grupo Salinas and is of Spanish origin, meaning “salt mines.”
• Slim Domit: This last name belongs to the son of Carlos Slim and is a combination of a Lebanese and Spanish last name.
• Sada: This last name belongs to the family who owns the conglomerate Grupo Proeza and is of Spanish origin, meaning “chase.”
• Zambrano: This last name belongs to the family who owns the cement company Cemex and is of Spanish origin, meaning “wild olive tree.”

Old Mexican Last Names

Old Mexican Last Names:

• Moctezuma: This last name belonged to the Aztec emperor Moctezuma and is of Nahuatl origin, meaning “he who is angry like a lord.”
• Xochitl: This last name is of Nahuatl origin and means “flower.”
• Iturbide: This last name belonged to the first emperor of Mexico, Agustin de Iturbide, and is of Basque origin, meaning “ford by the yew trees.”
• Juarez: This last name belonged to the president of Mexico, Benito Juarez, and is of Spanish origin, meaning “from Juarez,” a town in Spain.
• Azuela: This last name is of Basque origin and means “ash tree.”
• Cortes: This last name belonged to the Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes and is of Spanish origin, meaning “courtyard.”
• Hidalgo: This last name belonged to the Mexican independence hero Miguel Hidalgo and is of Spanish origin, meaning “noble.”
• Morelos: This last name belonged to the Mexican independence hero Jose Maria Morelos and is of Spanish origin, referring to a town in Spain.

Traditional Mexican Last Names

Traditional Mexican Last Names:

• Alvarez – Meaning “son of Álvaro”.
• Bernal – Meaning “of the ferns”.
• Cortez – Meaning “courteous” or “polite”.
• Diaz – Meaning “son of Diego”.
• Escobar – Meaning “rural inhabitant”.
• Gomez – Meaning “son of Gomo” or “man”.
• Hernandez – Meaning “son of Hernán”.
• Lopez – Meaning “son of Lope”.
• Perez – Meaning “son of Pero”.
• Ramirez – Meaning “son of Ramiro”.

Generic Mexican Last Names

Generic Mexican Last Names:

• Garcia – Meaning “young warrior”.
• Hernandez – Meaning “son of Hernán”.
• Martinez – Meaning “son of Martín”.
• Rodriguez – Meaning “son of Rodrigo”.
• Sanchez – Meaning “son of Sancho”.
• Torres – Meaning “towers”.
• Vargas – Meaning “a type of boat”.
• Villanueva – Meaning “new town”.
• Zavala – Meaning “grassy plain”.
• Zuniga – Meaning “hill”.

Fancy Mexican Last Names

Fancy Mexican Last Names:

• de la Garza – Meaning “of the heron”.
• de la Vega – Meaning “of the meadow”.
• de los Santos – Meaning “of the saints”.
• del Rio – Meaning “of the river”.
• Espinoza de los Monteros – Meaning “thorny of the hills”.
• Flores de la Torre – Meaning “flowers of the tower”.
• Garcia de Alba – Meaning “young warrior of the dawn”.
• Montenegro de Cervantes – Meaning “black mountain of the deer hunter”.
• Palacios Rubios – Meaning “blonde palaces”.
• Vega de la Peña – Meaning “meadow of the rock”.

Stereotypical Mexican Last Names

Stereotypical Mexican Last Names:

• Gonzalez – Meaning “son of Gonzalo”.
• Hernandez – Meaning “son of Hernán”.
• Martinez – Meaning “son of Martín”.
• Rodriguez – Meaning “son of Rodrigo”.
• Garcia – Meaning “young warrior”.
• Perez – Meaning “son of Pero”.
• Flores – Meaning “flowers”.
• Lopez – Meaning “son of Lope”.
• Sanchez – Meaning “son of Sancho”.
• Torres – Meaning “towers”.

FAQs – Mexican Last Names

How do Mexican last names work?

Mexican last names, also known as surnames or apellidos, have a unique system compared to other cultures.

Here are some key features of how Mexican last names work:

• A person typically has two last names, one from their father’s family and one from their mother’s family. The father’s last name comes first, followed by the mother’s last name. For example, if a man named Juan Rodriguez marries a woman named Maria Hernandez, their child’s full name might be Jose Rodriguez Hernandez.
• In some cases, a person’s name might be abbreviated or modified for everyday use. For example, someone named Jose Rodriguez Hernandez might go by Jose Rodriguez or simply Jose Hernandez, depending on which part of their name is more common or easier to say.
• Mexican last names can be quite long, especially if both the father’s and mother’s last names are lengthy. For example, the full name of former Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto includes both of his parents’ last names.
• It is uncommon for someone to change their last name legally, although they might use a different last name for professional or personal reasons.

What are the top 10 Mexican last names? (Most used Mexican names)

The top 10 Mexican last names, based on frequency and popularity, are:

1. Hernandez
2. Garcia
3. Martinez
4. Lopez
5. Gonzalez
6. Rodriguez
7. Perez
8. Sanchez
9. Flores
10. Ramirez

These names are considered the most typical Mexican last names, as they are widely used and recognized within Mexican culture.

However, there are many other last names that are common in certain regions or among specific ethnic groups in Mexico.

How do Mexican last names work when you get married?

When a person in Mexico gets married, the wife typically takes her husband’s last name, adding it to her existing last name(s) to create a new, combined last name.

For example, if Maria Hernandez marries Juan Rodriguez, she might choose to become Maria Hernandez de Rodriguez or Maria Hernandez Rodriguez.

It is also possible for the husband to take the wife’s last name, although this is less common.

Conclusion – Mexican Last Names

Mexican last names, like in many cultures, have different origins and characteristics. They can be classified into three main categories: patronymic surnames, toponymic surnames, and occupational surnames.

Patronymic surnames are the most common type of Mexican last name and are derived from the father’s name.

For example, “Martinez” means “son of Martin” and “Gonzalez” means “son of Gonzalo”. These surnames can be traced back to Spain and were introduced during the colonial period.

Toponymic surnames are derived from a place, usually a town or region.

For example, “Moreno” means “from the Moor” and “Zamora” means “from Zamora”. These surnames can be traced back to the pre-Hispanic period and were used to identify people by their place of origin.

Occupational surnames are derived from a person’s profession or trade.

For example, “Serrano” means “mountain dweller” and “Molinero” means “miller”. These surnames were used to identify people by their occupation and were common during the colonial period.

Mexican last names also have unique features such as being composed of two or more words, containing diacritical marks, and being influenced by indigenous languages such as Nahuatl.

Mexican last names may also reflect the country’s complex history and cultural heritage, with influences from Spanish, indigenous, and African cultures.

Overall, Mexican last names have a rich and diverse history, reflecting the country’s multiculturalism and serving as a way to identify and connect people to their ancestry and heritage.

Related

• Aztec & Nahuatl Names
• Aztec Girl Names
• Aztec Boy Names