100 Cool Puerto Rican Last Names

Puerto Rican surnames manifest the cultural vivacity of the island and combine influences from Spanish, African, Taíno, and others.

These surnames have deep roots that speak to migration, ancestors, and bonds of kinship that have survived through generations.

In this post, we will seek to understand the genesis, meaning, and symbolism behind Puerto Rican last names while showcasing how they convey the island’s distinctness and pride among its people.

Tracing your ancestors back to histories or simply being inquisitive about the island, with every name you’ll see a bit of a patchwork together in one and the same Puerto Rican tapestry.

Puerto rican last names

Alvarado – Derived from the Spanish “alvar,” meaning “noble” or “guard,” this surname suggests a lineage of nobility or protection.

Rodríguez – From the given name “Rodrigo,” meaning “famous ruler” in Old German.

González – Derived from the medieval Spanish name “Gonzalo,” meaning “battle” or “war,” referring to a warrior’s ancestry.

Sánchez – A patronymic surname meaning “son of Sancho,” which comes from the Latin “sanctus” meaning “holy.”

Martínez – From “Martín,” meaning “of Mars” or “warrior,” reflecting an association with strength or battle.

Pérez – A common Spanish surname meaning “son of Pedro,” or “rock” in Latin.

Lopez – Meaning “son of Lope,” which comes from the Latin “lupus,” meaning “wolf.”

Hernández – Derived from the given name “Hernán,” meaning “son of Hernán,” or “brave.”

Vázquez – A Spanish surname meaning “son of Vasco,” from the Basque word for “crow.”

Ramírez – Derived from the name “Ramiro,” meaning “wise” or “great counsel.”

Torres – Meaning “towers” in Spanish, often referring to someone who lived near a tower or fortification.

Méndez – A name meaning “son of Mendo,” which derives from the Basque word “mendi,” meaning “mountain.”

García – A common surname meaning “bear” in Basque, reflecting strength or resilience.

Reyes – Means “kings” in Spanish, symbolizing a royal or noble lineage.

Rivera – Derived from the Spanish word “ribera,” meaning “riverbank” or “shore,” indicating someone who lived near a river.

Álvarez – Derived from the personal name “Álvaro,” meaning “guard” or “protector.”

Ramón – A surname of Germanic origin meaning “wise protector.”

Cruz – Meaning “cross,” often referring to a religious or Christian heritage.

Figueroa – Derived from the Latin word “figura,” meaning “figure” or “shape,” possibly referring to a place with fig trees.

Díaz – Meaning “son of Diego,” which comes from the name “Santiago,” or “Saint James.”

Jiménez – Derived from the given name “Jimeno,” meaning “son of Ximeno,” or “listener.”

Molina – Refers to someone who lived near a mill, derived from the Spanish word “molino.”

Cordero – Meaning “lamb,” often referring to a peaceful or gentle person.

Martín – A name meaning “of Mars,” associated with the Roman god of war.

Vega – Referring to a “meadow” or “fertile land,” derived from the Spanish word “vega.”

Aponte – Likely to derive from the Spanish “a” meaning “toward” and “ponte,” meaning “bridge,” indicating a person living near a bridge.

Bermúdez – A surname that likely comes from the Old Spanish name “Bermudo,” meaning “brave” or “famous.”

Maldonado – Derived from “mal donado,” meaning “badly given” or “unlucky.”

Santiago – A name that means “Saint James” and is associated with the famous pilgrimage route to Spain.

Solís – Meaning “sun,” symbolizing light, clarity, or a prominent position.

Ferrer – Derived from the word “ferrero,” meaning “blacksmith.”

Delgado – Meaning “thin” or “slender,” often a nickname referring to someone of slim build.

Arias – A surname of possible Basque origin meaning “eagle” or “strong.”

Guerrero – Meaning “warrior,” often given to someone of military ancestry or a strong fighter.

Serrano – Derived from the Spanish word for “mountain dweller” or “someone who lives in the mountains.”

Vazquez – A name of Basque origin meaning “son of Vasco,” or “one from the area of the crows.”

Castillo – Meaning “castle,” referring to someone who lived near a castle or fortification.

Calle – A surname meaning “street” or “path,” often referring to a person who lived near or on a prominent street.

Nieves – Meaning “snow,” symbolizing purity or clarity.

Zayas – Likely derived from the Spanish word for “hills” or “rises,” suggesting a geographical feature.

Pantoja – Possibly referring to a place near a marsh or swamp, from the Spanish “pantano.”

Benítez – Derived from “Benedictus,” meaning “blessed” or “happy.”

Ríos – Meaning “rivers,” referring to someone who lived near or by a river.

Gonzávez – A variation of González, signifying a connection to “Gonzalo” or battle.

Arias – Derived from the Greek “arios,” meaning “best” or “superior.”

López – Meaning “son of Lope,” from the Latin “lupus,” meaning “wolf.”

Bautista – Referring to John the Baptist, a religious surname with Christian roots.

Soler – Meaning “sunlight” or “sunshine,” a bright and positive surname.

Aguirre – A Basque surname that could mean “prominent” or “place of the oak trees.”

Vázquez – A variation of Vázquez, from the Basque word for “crow,” a symbol of vigilance.

Soto – Derived from the Spanish word “soto,” meaning “grove” or “small forest.”

Mora – Referring to “blackberry” or “mulberry,” symbolizing the fruit or someone living near bushes.

Ávila – A name of Spanish origin, meaning “bird,” often associated with freedom or flight.

Cardona – Derived from “cardo,” meaning “thistle” or “thorn,” possibly referring to a thorny area or terrain.

Giménez – A surname meaning “son of Jimeno,” or “son of the famous warrior.”

Quiñones – Likely a place-name surname, from the Spanish “quinos,” meaning “oak trees.”

Figueroa – Likely derived from the word “fig,” referring to someone who lived near fig trees.

Morales – Derived from “mora,” meaning “mulberry,” referring to someone from a place where mulberry trees grew.

Cabrera – Meaning “goatherd” or “someone who worked with goats,” from the word “cabra.”

Mendoza – Likely derived from the Basque words “mendi” (mountain) and “oz” (cold), meaning “cold mountain.”

Chavez – Derived from “chavo,” meaning “young,” referring to a youthful or energetic person.

Gutiérrez – Derived from the given name “Gutierre,” meaning “ruler of the people.”

Serrano – Meaning “mountain dweller,” referring to someone from the mountainous regions of Spain.

Lara – Likely referring to a place in Spain, such as “Lara,” meaning a flat area.

Ríos – Referring to “rivers,” indicating someone who lived near a river or water source.

Padrón – Meaning “register” or “list,” often related to someone associated with records or registries.

Escobar – Derived from “escoba,” meaning “broom,” possibly referring to a place where broom plants grew.

Pacheco – Refers to a personal name derived from “Pacho,” meaning “eagle” or “strong.”

Medina – Derived from the Arabic word for “city,” often referring to someone from a city.

Valenzuela – Likely referring to someone from the region of Valenzuela, which means “valley” or “lowland.”

Méndez – Derived from the name “Mendo,” meaning “son of the mountain” or “mountain dweller.”

Cabrera – A surname meaning “goatherd,” referring to someone who worked with goats.

Santiago – Referring to Saint James, symbolizing a pilgrimage or religious heritage.

Bravo – Derived from the word for “brave,” symbolizing someone courageous or daring.

Aguayo – Likely derived from the word for “water” or “stream,” indicating proximity to water.

Hidalgo – Meaning “nobleman” or “gentleman,” often used for someone of high rank or status.

Bello – Derived from the word “beautiful,” meaning someone with a pleasant or attractive appearance.

Sánchez – Meaning “son of Sancho,” derived from the Latin “sanctus,” meaning “holy.”

Ortega – Derived from “ortiga,” meaning “nettle,” possibly referring to someone living near nettles.

Acevedo – Likely derived from “acebo,” meaning “holly tree,” referring to someone living near a holly tree.

Cano – Derived from the Spanish word for “reed” or “cane,” likely referring to someone who lived near reeds or water.

Bermúdez – Likely derived from the name “Bermudo,” meaning “brave” or “famous.”

Núñez – Derived from the given name “Nuño,” meaning “ninth” or “new.”

Ríos – Meaning “rivers,” referring to someone who lived near a river or water source.

Fuentes – Meaning “fountains” or “springs,” indicating someone who lived near a natural water source.

Garrido – Derived from the word for “handsome” or “good-looking,” referring to someone with a pleasing appearance.

Herrera – Derived from “herrero,” meaning “blacksmith,” indicating an occupation.

Mora – A surname referring to the blackberry or mulberry fruit, symbolizing someone with a connection to nature.

Cordero – Meaning “lamb,” symbolizing innocence, purity, or gentleness.

Paz – Meaning “peace,” often given to someone who symbolized tranquility or calm.

Jaramillo – A surname of Spanish origin, meaning “from the hill” or “small hill.”

Valle – Meaning “valley,” referring to someone who lived in a valley.

Del Río – Meaning “of the river,” referring to someone who lived near or by a river.

Soto – Meaning “grove” or “wood,” often referring to someone who lived near a forest or wooded area.

Solís – Derived from “sol,” meaning “sun,” symbolizing light or clarity.

Becerra – Derived from “becerro,” meaning “calf” or “young bull,” possibly referring to someone strong or young.

Rocío – Meaning “dew,” symbolizing freshness or new beginnings.

León – Meaning “lion,” symbolizing strength and courage.

Bautista – Referring to Saint John the Baptist, a religious surname commonly found in Catholic families.

Rodríguez – A surname of Germanic origin meaning “famous ruler,” derived from the name “Rodrigo.”