Jara a name that means rock rose, possibly indicating an ancestor who lived in an area with many rock roses or had a connection to the flower. Serrano - A topographic name for someone who lived by the mountains. It derives from the Latin ramus, meaning shoots, outgrowth, and could have been used to refer to a prominent landmark near a persons home. This leather was available only on the Balearic Island, Spain. Kristin has a Bachelor's Degree in Education: Learning Disabilities, and a Master's Degree in Education: Emotional Impairments/Behavior Disorders. Mesia was a small village where inhabitants fled during the Moorish invasion, escaping to regions where they would later set sail for the Americas. Naming your little one after your favorite GOT character will also add them to the fan club. Taking their origins with them, Zamoranos remembered their heritage, carrying the name of the terraced countryside to the Americas. Montoya is a horse pasture or mountain fort, something Spain is known for. The name also refers to people who live or work near water. Assuming that your last name is rarer than Smith, it would mean that fewer than 1.5% of people in the US have your last name. Break down barriers and start conversations with these practical ways to talk to teens. Campos was often used for someone who lived in the countryside. Prado is the Spanish word for a meadow., Puerta is the Spanish word for a door or gate. It is a toponymic last name referring to people who lived near the gates of a town., Real is derived from a Southern French word meaning Royal.. Rivera families resided near a stream, small river, or shoreline. Fernndez - 851,000 (2.15%) Son of Fernando; Germanic Gonzlez - 839,000 (2.12%) Son of Gonzalo, from the Latinised form Gundisalvus; Germanic Vidal Rodrguez - 804,000 (2.03%) Son of Rodrigo, Roderic; Germanic Leon is said to have been named after a Roman legion that occupied the area in 29 BC. Arroyo is likely a toponymic surname referring to someone living along or near a water stream. Below is a list of some uncommon last names: These names are not commonly found in certain populations or geographical areas, which makes them unique and distinct. Linares a name that means flax fields, possibly indicating an ancestor who owned or worked in a field where flax was grown. Gonzalo derived from the Visigoth term meaning battle elf or savior. Gonzales was given to the sons of Gonzalo and conjures images of mighty battles and heroic deeds. All rights reserved. Rivas is often used with a place name to create a patronymic name, for example, Rivas-Vaciamadrid, referring to a community in Madrid. Padilla was the name of several villages and is derived from the Latin patella, referring to a cooking pan for making bread. All content found on this website is intended for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Regardless of the roots and origins of a Spanish surname, they all have a common quality of beauty and a story behind them. Castillo is the Spanish word for a castle and isnt describing a persons looks so much as where they lived or worked. Parilla is a toponymic Spanish surname derived from the word parra referring to a vine or a grapevine. The surname was likely used by those who lived near vineyards. Examples of uncommon Spanish surnames include Abarca, Alcaraz, and Cabrera. In many monarchies, royal families often adopt a specific surname or dynastic name to reflect their royal heritage.