130+ Popular & Common Mexican Last Names (Or Surnames) & Their Meanings

Mexican last names are a vibrant mix of Indigenous, Spanish, and even Arabic influences. Each surname carries a story—whether tied to nature, family lineage, or historical occupations. If you’ve ever been curious about names like García, Hernández, or Xochitl, this guide will explore their origins and meanings.

Below, we’ve categorized 130+ Mexican surnames to help you uncover their fascinating backgrounds.

Spanish Patronymic Surnames (Derived from Father’s Name)

These surnames often end with “-ez,” meaning “son of.”

González – Son of Gonzalo (“battle” or “war”).
Hernández – Son of Hernando (from Fernando, “brave traveler”).
López – Son of Lope (“wolf”).
Martínez – Son of Martín (from Mars, Roman god of war).
Rodríguez – Son of Rodrigo (“famous power”).
García – Possibly “bear” or “young.”
Pérez – Son of Pedro (“rock”).
Sánchez – Son of Sancho (“sacred”).
Ramírez – Son of Ramiro (“wise protector”).
Díaz – Son of Diego (“supplanter”).
Álvarez – Son of Álvaro (“guardian”).
Fernández – Son of Fernando (“brave journey”).
Vázquez – Son of Vasco (“Basque man”).
Jiménez – Son of Jimeno (“listener”).
Ruiz – Son of Ruy (short for Rodrigo).

Occupational & Trade-Based Surnames

Many surnames come from ancestral jobs.

Herrera – Blacksmith or ironworker.
Molina – Miller (from “molino,” meaning mill).
Zapata – Shoemaker.
Pastor – Shepherd.
Carpintero – Carpenter.
Sastre – Tailor.
Marín – Sailor or related to the sea.
Guerrero – Warrior.
Escudero – Squire or shield-bearer.
Albañil – Mason or bricklayer.
Labrador – Farmer.
Vaquero – Cowboy.
Pescador – Fisherman.
Tejedor – Weaver.
Hidalgo – Nobleman or son of nobility.

Indigenous & Nahuatl Last Names

Rooted in Mexico’s native languages, especially Nahuatl (Aztec).

Xochitl – “Flower.”
Cuauhtémoc – “Descending eagle” (last Aztec emperor).
Moctezuma – “He who frowns like a lord.”
Itzcoatl – “Obsidian serpent.”
Tlaloc – Named after the rain god.
Quetzalcoatl – “Feathered serpent.”
Coatl – “Snake” or “serpent.”
Tlatoani – “Ruler” or “speaker.”
Ixtlilxóchitl – “Dark flower.”
Tenoch – From “Tenochtitlán” (Aztec capital).
Citlali – “Star.”
Nahuatl – Refers to the language/culture.
Tepetl – “Mountain.”
Mazatl – “Deer.”
Tochtli – “Rabbit.”

Location-Based Surnames

Derived from places in Spain or Mexico.

Del Río – “From the river.”
De la Cruz – “Of the cross.”
Montes – “Mountains.”
Vega – “Fertile plain.”
Ríos – “Rivers.”
Castillo – “Castle.”
Torres – “Towers.”
Luna – “Moon.”
Solís – From “sol” (sun).
Orozco – From Basque, meaning “gold.”
Navarro – From Navarre, Spain.
Toledo – From the Spanish city.
Valencia – From the Spanish region.
Galicia – From the region in Spain.
Burgos – From the Spanish city.

Descriptive Surnames (Physical Traits or Personality)

Based on appearance or character.

Blanco – “White.”
Moreno – “Dark-skinned” or “brunette.”
Rubio – “Blonde.”
Cortés – “Courteous” or “polite.”
Bravo – “Fierce” or “brave.”
Delgado – “Thin.”
Gordo – “Fat.”
Bajo – “Short.”
Grande – “Big” or “tall.”
Reyez – “Son of the king.”

Religious & Virtue-Based Surnames

Reflecting faith and Christian influence.

De la Rosa – “Of the rose” (Marian devotion).
De los Ángeles – “Of the angels.”
Cruz – “Cross.”
Santos – “Saints.”
Espíritu Santo – “Holy Spirit.”
Nazario – From Nazareth.
San Juan – “Saint John.”
Santa María – “Saint Mary.”
De Dios – “Of God.”
Salvador – “Savior.”

Nature-Inspired Surnames

From animals, plants, and natural elements.

Flores – “Flowers.”
Águila – “Eagle.”
León – “Lion.”
Piedra – “Stone.”
Vela – “Candle” or “sail.”
Nieves – “Snows.”
Robles – “Oak trees.”
Oliva – “Olive.”
Serrano – “From the mountains.”
Lago – “Lake.”

Unique & Less Common Mexican Surnames

Rarer but meaningful names.

Barragán – “Young warrior.”
Beltrán – “Bright raven.”
Cisneros – From a Spanish place name.
Durán – “Enduring.”
Escamilla – From “escama” (fish scale).
Fajardo – “Strong.”
Galván – “Sparrow.”
Ibarra – “Valley.”
Jaramillo – From a place with thistles.
Landa – “Field.”

Double-Barrelled & Compound Surnames

Common in Mexico (father’s + mother’s surname).

García López
Hernández Martínez
Rodríguez Pérez
Vázquez González
Castro Delgado

Additional Common Mexican Last Names

Aguilar – From “aguila” (eagle).
Campos – “Fields.”
Chávez – Possibly from Portuguese “chaves” (keys).
Contreras – From a Spanish town.
Cervantes – Meaning “stag” or “deer.”
Dominguez – Son of Domingo (“Sunday”).
Fuentes – “Fountains” or “springs.”
Gómez – Son of Gome (“man”).
Iglesias – “Churches.”
Juárez – From “Suárez,” meaning “son of Suero.”
Medina – Arabic origin, meaning “city.”
Méndez – Son of Mendo (“strong”).
Ortega – From “ortiga” (nettle plant).
Pacheco – Possibly “peaceful.”
Quintero – “Fifth” (related to land division).
Reyes – “Kings.”
Rosales – “Rose bushes.”
Salinas – “Salt mines.”
Soto – “Grove” or “small forest.”
Téllez – Son of Tello (“bright”).
Uribe – Basque origin, meaning “town.”
Valdez – Son of Baldo (“bold”).
Villarreal – “Royal village.”
Zamora – From a Spanish city.
Zúñiga – From a Basque place name.

Final Thoughts

Mexican surnames are a beautiful blend of history, culture, and identity. Whether your last name is González, Xochitl, or De la Cruz, each carries a legacy worth exploring.

Did we miss your surname? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear about your family’s heritage!