Most classic Spanish surnames are patronymics ending in -ez, meaning “son of”: Rodríguez (“son of Rodrigo”), Martínez (“son of Martín”), González (“son of Gonzalo”), Pérez (“son of Pedro”). Others are toponymic (Torres, “towers”; Rivera, “riverbank”) or drawn from nature and faith (Flores, “flowers”; Cruz, “cross”).

Two surnames

Spanish speakers traditionally carry two surnames — the father’s first, then the mother’s — so a full name preserves both family lines.

Frequently asked questions

What does the -ez ending mean in Spanish surnames?

It means u201cson ofu201d u2014 Rodru00edguez is u201cson of Rodrigo,u201d Martu00ednez u201cson of Martu00edn.u201d

What is the most common Spanish surname?

Garcu00eda is the most common surname in Spain and much of Latin America.

Why do Spanish people have two surnames?

Tradition gives each person two surnames u2014 the fatheru2019s first, then the motheru2019s.

All last names A–Z