For example, del Valle (from the valley) or de la Vega (from the meadow) depict certain features of the original homeland. Similarly, they may refer to what type of land the person lived on. More general surnames like Iglesias (lived near a church) acted much like nicknames. This includes very specific surnames, such as de Soto (from Soto), from families that typically owned land. Geographic surnames tell us where the first person with a surname lived. Matronymic surnames are less common, often a result of illegitimate children or a mother of higher noble ranking. Eventually, a specific surname stuck with the family and was passed to future generations. If he had a son, his name would have been Diego Juanez, Diego “son of Juan.” Given this fact, surnames weren’t at all consistent. In other words, someone with the name Juan Fernandez means Juan “son of Fernando”. The paternal surname was a combination of the man’s father’s name and a suffix meaning “son of”: -ez, -az, -is, -oz ( or -es), -as, -os. However, by distinguishing who their fathers are, their names suddenly become distinct. Now, if you met two men name Juan, you might mix them up. Patronymic means the surname comes from the father’s first name, while matronymic means it’s from the mother’s name. They became the origin of most Spanish surnames we see today. They began to follow specific traditions that helped them understand which surname to use. History tells us that by the twelfth century, as populations grew, people needed a way to distinguish one name or family from another. When looking at Spanish surnames, a clear pattern emerges. Spanish-speaking societies once practiced the transmission of one Spanish surname, choosing between the mother or father. Nonetheless, the transfer of the father’s surname was not always the norm. As you can see, the maternal name has been dropped and replaced by the husband’s name. She will marry and her name will change to Paola Rosales Mendoza or Paola Rosales de Mendoza. Their child will most likely use the traditional order and hold a name such as Paola Rosales López. An example of this is with two parents, Lucía López García and Jorge Rosales Castillo. Interestingly, the paternal, or father’s, name will eventually eliminate the maternal name of the family line. As stated above, the father’s surname is often first while the mother’s surname comes after. Currently, the two first surnames of each parent are combined.
The two last names come from what is called a “generational transmission” from both parents.
Contrary to English-speaking countries, middle names are not mandatory elements of a person’s name, although exceptions exist, as we will explore later on. Nevertheless, in the given name, Miguel is not a middle name but is part of the name José Miguel. The first name can be simple, such as José (Joseph), or composite such as José Miguel (Joseph Michael). In informal contexts, however, they use their first name and first surname to introduce themselves.
Spanish last names full#
People always use their full name in legal settings.
Presently, laws have changed on gender equality and now allow any order, but we normally see the original order. Traditionally, you will see the first surname of the father followed by the first of the mother. Have you ever wondered why Spanish names are so long? As you may have noticed, the names of people in Spanish-speaking countries consist of a first name and two surnames. Jby Lindsay Brown Hispanic Culture 1 comment What’s in a Name? The Origin and Meaning of Spanish Surnames
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