Last names

[anthony]

I was wondering in Spanish what are some really common last names, like smith and jones in English. ?

[Elaina]

Hi Anthony!

Common last names in Spanish.... I can only give you some that are common in Mexico as I don't know if they are common also in other countries.

Gonzalez
Martinez
Gomez
Sanchez
Gutierrez
Lopez
Chavez
Flores
Hernandez
Morales
Nuñez
Perez
Ramirez
Rodriguez
Torres

Of course there are many more but I think these are pretty common.

Elaina

[Inquirer]

I think smith is herrero and I don't know what jones is.

[Tomisimo]

Smith can be Herrero (as a profession), but that doesn't mean it's a common last name.

According to my wife, three really common last names in Spanish are:

López
Pérez
Sánchez

Elaina's list is really good too. (those 3 are on it as well. )

[sosia]

I agree. But Fernández it's also common.
Names with -ez means that it was son of..... (XIII century)
Like -ova or -sen/son in other languages
Perez son of Pero (pedro)
Gonzalez son of Gonzalo
Martinez son of Martín
Gomez son og Gomo
Sanchez son of Sancho
Gutierrez son of Gutierre
Hernandez son of Hernando
Nuñez son of Nuño
Ramirez son of Ramirez
Rodriguez son of Rodrigo
Fernandez son of Fernando
.........
Torres, Flores have nothing to do with this. They are plurals

[anthony]

Awesome! Thank you guys.

[marco]

Guys you forgot one more: "Garcia".

[deborahj]

Hi anthony,

I live in greece, and one thing l always find amusing is translating greek surnames into english. In greek they sound perfectly normal, but once translated!!!!!!! well see for yourself.

hondroyianni = fatjohn
leptokaridi = thinwalnut
skordo = garlic
kaisaris = forest
hamilomatis = low eyes
angelopoulos= angel bird

Here is just a handful, there are hundreds very similar.

Debbie

[ElDanés]

Haha, those names are pretty funny (not to offend anyone).

Danish names rarely have any meaning. It's kind of boring.

[María José]

Escrito originalmente por marco

Guys you forgot one more: "Garcia".

Yeah, I would say that's the best equivalent in Spain for Jones in the States and Smith in England.
Do you remember Mr Jones (starring Richard Gere)? Great film.