Mexican Name Finder

Apellidos

Mexican last names and what they mean

140 surnames with meaning, origin, and pronunciation. Hernández, García, Martínez, and López top the registry; behind them are patronymics from medieval Spain, places, trades, saints, and the Maya surnames that still lead in Yucatán.

Mexican last names and what they mean

The most common last names in Mexico

Ranked from Mexico's voter roll and RENAPO counts. Tap a surname for its full page.

  1. 1Hernándezson of Hernandoer-NAHN-des · Patronymic
  2. 2Garcíauncertain, possibly bear or younggar-SEE-ah · Patronymic
  3. 3Martínezson of Martínmar-TEE-nes · Patronymic
  4. 4Lópezson of LopeLOH-pes · Patronymic
  5. 5Gonzálezson of Gonzalogon-SAH-les · Patronymic
  6. 6Pérezson of PeroPEH-res · Patronymic
  7. 7Rodríguezson of Rodrigorod-REE-ges · Patronymic
  8. 8Sánchezson of SanchoSAHN-ches · Patronymic
  9. 9Ramírezson of Ramirorah-MEE-res · Patronymic
  10. 10CruzcrossKROOS · Religious

How Mexican surnames work

Every Mexican has two surnames: the father's first surname, then the mother's first surname. Sofía Hernández García has a Hernández father and a García mother. She keeps both for life; marriage changes nothing on paper, though older women sometimes add "de" and the husband's surname socially (Sofía Hernández de López). Her children take Hernández plus their father's surname. A 2020s reform lets parents choose which surname goes first, but father-first is still the rule in practice.

This is why "Mexican last names" always come in pairs, why the same few names are so common (two draws from the pool per person), and why Mexican-Americans so often have a second surname that U.S. forms turn into a middle name. Ask a Mexican for their apellidos and you get both: Hernández García.

Where the surnames come from

Spanish surnames settled into their modern forms between the 1100s and 1500s and arrived in Mexico with the conquest and the colonial church. Indigenous Mexicans were baptized with Spanish given names and usually took a Spanish surname, often the encomendero's or the priest's, which is why García and Hernández are as common in Oaxaca as in Castile. Yucatán was the exception: the Maya kept their surnames, and Pech, Canul, Chan, and Ek still top the state.

Patronymic surnames

Formed from a father's given name with the suffix -ez, -es, or -iz, meaning 'son of'. Hernández is the son of Hernando, Martínez the son of Martín. About half of the most common Mexican surnames are patronymics.

SurnameMeaningOriginSay itHow common
Hernándezson of HernandoSpanisher-NAHN-destop 10
Garcíauncertain, possibly bear or youngBasquegar-SEE-ahtop 10
Martínezson of MartínSpanishmar-TEE-nestop 10
Lópezson of LopeSpanishLOH-pestop 10
Gonzálezson of GonzaloSpanishgon-SAH-lestop 10
Pérezson of PeroSpanishPEH-restop 10
Rodríguezson of RodrigoSpanishrod-REE-gestop 10
Sánchezson of SanchoSpanishSAHN-chestop 10
Ramírezson of RamiroSpanishrah-MEE-restop 10
Gómezson of GomeSpanishGOH-mestop 50
Vázquezson of VascoSpanishVAHS-kestop 50
Jiménezson of JimenoBasquehee-MEH-nestop 50
Díazson of DiegoSpanishDEE-ahstop 50
Gutiérrezson of GutierreSpanishgoo-TYEH-restop 50
Ruizson of RuySpanishRWEEStop 50
Ortizson of OrtiSpanishor-TEEStop 50
Álvarezson of ÁlvaroSpanishAHL-vah-restop 50
Méndezson of MendoSpanishMEN-destop 50
Juárezson of SueroSpanishHWAH-restop 50
Domínguezson of DomingoSpanishdoh-MEEN-gestop 50
Velázquezson of VelascoBasqueveh-LAHS-kestop 50
Muñozson of MuñoSpanishmoo-NYOStop 50
Valdezson of ValdoSpanishVAHL-destop 200
PachecouncertainPortuguesepah-CHEH-kohtop 200
RangeluncertainPortugueseRAHN-heltop 200
Márquezson of MarcosSpanishMAR-kestop 200
Galvánson of GalvánSpanishgal-VAHNtop 200
Núñezson of NuñoSpanishNOO-nyestop 200
Beltránbright ravenGermanicbel-TRAHNtop 200
Alonsonoble and readyGermanicah-LON-sohtop 200

From a place surnames

Taken from a town, region, or landscape feature in Spain, or later in Mexico: Castillo (castle), Rivera (riverbank), Navarro (from Navarre), Ibarra (Basque valley).

SurnameMeaningOriginSay itHow common
Moralesmulberry treesSpanishmoh-RAH-lestop 50
TorrestowersSpanishTOH-restop 50
Mendozacold mountainBasquemen-DOH-sahtop 50
Aguilarplace of eaglesSpanishah-gee-LARtop 50
CastillocastleSpanishkas-TEE-yohtop 50
Chávezfrom ChavesPortugueseCHAH-vestop 50
RiverariverbankSpanishree-VEH-rahtop 50
MedinacityArabicmeh-DEE-nahtop 50
Castrofortified settlementSpanishKAS-trohtop 50
Vargasuncertain, possibly hut or slopeSpanishVAR-gastop 50
Guzmánfrom GuzmánSpanishgoos-MAHNtop 50
Contrerasfrom ContrerasSpanishkon-TREH-rastop 50
Salazarold hallBasquesah-lah-SARtop 50
LunamoonSpanishLOO-nahtop 50
Orteganettle fieldSpanishor-TEH-gahtop 50
Estradapaved roadSpanishes-TRAH-dahtop 50
Navarrofrom NavarreSpanishnah-VAH-rrohtop 200
Cervantesfrom CervantesSpanishser-VAHN-testop 200
Peñarock, cragSpanishPEH-nyahtop 200
Sotogrove by a riverSpanishSOH-tohtop 200
Espinozathorny placeSpanishes-pee-NOH-sahtop 200
Zamorafrom ZamoraSpanishsah-MOH-rahtop 200
Ibarravalley, meadowBasqueee-BAH-rrahtop 200
Cabreraplace of goatsSpanishkah-BREH-rahtop 200
FuentesspringsSpanishFWEN-testop 200
Trejofrom TrejoSpanishTREH-hohtop 200
Cárdenasbluish-purple placesSpanishKAR-deh-nastop 200
MirandalookoutSpanishmee-RAHN-dahtop 200
Escobarplace of broom shrubsSpanishes-koh-BARtop 200
RíosriversSpanishREE-ostop 200
Ayalafrom AyalaBasqueah-YAH-lahtop 200
SalinassaltworksSpanishsah-LEE-nastop 200
Zúñigafrom ZúñigaBasqueSOO-nyee-gahtop 200
Padillasmall pan, hollowSpanishpah-DEE-yahtop 200
Acostaof the coastPortugueseah-KOS-tahtop 200
Villanuevanew townSpanishvee-yah-NWEH-vahtop 200
Larafrom LaraSpanishLAH-rahtop 200
Sandovalnew clearingSpanishsan-doh-VAHLtop 200
Navaupland plainSpanishNAH-vahtop 200
MezaplateauSpanishMEH-sahtop 200
Solísfrom SolísSpanishsoh-LEEStop 200
Alvaradofrom AlvaradoSpanishahl-vah-RAH-dohtop 200
Orozcoplace of hollyBasqueoh-ROS-kohtop 200
CamposfieldsSpanishKAHM-postop 200
Ávilafrom ÁvilaSpanishAH-vee-lahtop 200
RoblesoaksSpanishROH-blestop 200
Rosalesrose bushesSpanishroh-SAH-lestop 200
Cisnerosplace of swansSpanishsees-NEH-rostop 200
Zavalawide placeBasquesah-VAH-lahtop 200
Barrerabarrier, clay pitSpanishbah-RREH-rahtop 200
Andradeestate of AndrésGalicianahn-DRAH-dehtop 200
Valenciastrength, valorSpanishvah-LEN-syahtop 200
Villarrealroyal townSpanishvee-yah-rreh-AHLregional
Treviñothree boundariesSpanishtreh-VEE-nyohregional
Cantúfrom CantùItaliankan-TOOregional
Elizondobeside the churchBasqueeh-lee-SON-dohregional
Tamezfrom TamésSpanishTAH-mesregional
Benavidesfrom BenavidesSpanishbeh-nah-VEE-desregional

From a trade surnames

Named for the ancestor's work: Guerrero (warrior), Herrera (ironworker's forge), Zapata (shoemaker), Escudero (shield-bearer).

SurnameMeaningOriginSay itHow common
HerrerasmithySpanisheh-RREH-rahtop 50
GuerrerowarriorSpanishgeh-RREH-rohtop 50
Quinterotenant farmerSpanishkeen-TEH-rohtop 200
MolinamillSpanishmoh-LEE-nahtop 200

Descriptive surnames

A nickname that stuck: Moreno (dark-haired), Delgado (thin), Rubio (fair), Bravo (fierce), Cortés (courteous).

SurnameMeaningOriginSay itHow common
FloresflowersSpanishFLOH-restop 50
Morenodark-haired, dark-skinnedSpanishmoh-REH-nohtop 50
Romeropilgrim to RomeSpanishroh-MEH-rohtop 50
RojasredSpanishROH-hastop 50
DelgadoslimSpanishdel-GAH-dohtop 200
CortéscourteousSpanishkor-TEStop 200
CarrillocheekSpanishkah-RREE-yohtop 200
Ochoathe wolfBasqueoh-CHOH-ahtop 200
Camachouncertain, possibly bentPortuguesekah-MAH-chohtop 200
SerranohighlanderSpanishseh-RRAH-nohtop 200
GarzaheronSpanishGAR-sahregional
LealloyalSpanishleh-AHLregional

Religious surnames

Given at baptism or taken from the church calendar: Cruz (cross), Santos (saints), de la Cruz, Santiago, Reyes (kings, for Epiphany), Trinidad, Guadalupe.

SurnameMeaningOriginSay itHow common
CruzcrossSpanishKROOStop 10
ReyeskingsSpanishREH-yestop 50
RamosbranchesSpanishRAH-mostop 50
De la Cruzof the crossSpanishdeh-lah-KROOStop 50
SantiagoSaint JamesSpanishsan-TYAH-gohtop 50
BautistabaptistSpanishbow-TEES-tahtop 50
MejíaMessiahSpanishmeh-HEE-ahtop 200

Indigenous surnames

Maya surnames from Yucatán and Campeche (Pech, Canul, Chan, Ek, May, Uc, Poot, Tun) and Nahuatl surnames from central Mexico. Yucatán is the one region of Mexico where indigenous surnames dominate the top of the list.

SurnameMeaningOriginSay itHow common
ChansmallMayaCHAHNregional
PechtickMayaPECHregional
CanulguardianMayakah-NOOLregional
Mayyoung deerMayaMYregional
Canchéwooden frameMayakahn-CHEHregional
Dzulforeigner, gentlemanMayaDSOOLregional
Pootto drillMayaPOHTregional
Cauichtwo-facedMayakah-WEECHregional
ChimouthMayaCHEEregional
Kusacred, godMayaKOOregional
CaamaluncertainMayakah-ah-MAHLregional
EkstarMayaEKregional
UcdoveMayaOOKregional
TunstoneMayaTOONregional
BalamjaguarMayabah-LAHMregional
DzibwritingMayaDSEEBregional
Xicoténcatlperson of the bumblebee placeNahuatlshee-koh-TEN-kahtlregional
TepetlhillNahuatlTEH-petlregional
CuautleeagleNahuatlKWOWT-lehregional
Xolalpaon the town plotNahuatlshoh-LAHL-pahregional
Tecuanhueygreat wild beastNahuatlteh-kwahn-WAYregional
Cocomone who listensMayakoh-KOHMuncommon
CouohtarantulaMayakoh-WOHuncommon
Tlaxcaltecaperson from TlaxcalaNahuatltlash-kahl-TEH-kahuncommon
Mixcoatlcloud serpentNahuatlmeesh-KOH-ahtluncommon
TepaleuncertainNahuatlteh-PAH-lehuncommon
OcelotljaguarNahuatloh-SEH-lohtluncommon
Popocait smokesNahuatlpoh-POH-kahuncommon
ToxquiuncertainNahuatlTOHS-keeuncommon

Browse surnames by first letter

Mexican last names FAQ

What is the most common last name in Mexico?

Hernández, carried by roughly five million Mexicans, followed by García, Martínez, López, González, Pérez, Rodríguez, Sánchez, Ramírez, and Cruz. Because everyone has two surnames, the top ten between them cover a large share of the population.

Why do Mexicans have two last names?

Spanish naming law gives a child the father's first surname followed by the mother's first surname: a child of Juan Hernández López and Ana García Cruz is Hernández García. Women keep their surnames at marriage. Mexico's 2020s reforms allow parents to choose the order. In the United States the second surname is often dropped or mistaken for a middle name.

What do names ending in -ez mean?

'Son of'. Hernández is the son of Hernando, Martínez of Martín, López of Lope, González of Gonzalo, Pérez of Pero (Pedro), Rodríguez of Rodrigo, Sánchez of Sancho, Ramírez of Ramiro, Jiménez of Jimeno, Álvarez of Álvaro. About half of Mexico's top fifty surnames are these medieval patronymics.

What are Mexican last names of indigenous origin?

In Yucatán and Campeche the most common surnames are Maya: Pech (tick), Canul (guardian), Chan (small), Ek (star), May (hoof), Uc (moon), Poot, Tun (stone), Cauich, Dzul, Chi, Balam (jaguar). Nahuatl surnames survive in Puebla and Tlaxcala: Cuautle, Xolalpa, Tecuanhuey, Xicoténcatl, Ocelotl. Most Mexicans of indigenous descent carry Spanish surnames given at baptism.

What are rare or unique Mexican last names?

Surnames from a single region or a small founding family: Tamez, Treviño, Cantú, Elizondo, Garza, and Villarreal are typical of Nuevo León; Zambrano, Buenrostro, Cienfuegos, Escalante, Landeros, Quiñones, and Ledezma are uncommon nationally. Uncommon does not mean recent: most date to medieval Spain.