During the Spanish era there were Filipinos who had no
family names. This situation created difficulties on matters such as census, taxation
and settlement of criminal and civil cases when the distinction of one person
from another was necessary. To address the situation, Spanish Governor-General
Narciso Claveria Y Zaldua issued a decree on November 21, 1849, urging natives
of the Philippines who did not have family names to adopt one based from the Catalogo
Alfabetico de Apellidos, a book of surnames published in the Philippines and
other islands of the Spanish East Indies in the mid 19
th century. The list in the book included Spanish surnames
and indigenous ones. The native surnames
were culled from several words from the Philippine languages such as
Tagalog,
Ilocano, Cebuano, Hiligaynon and others. Spanish provided the bulk of the
surnames. The decree of the governor general was implemented through the friars
and local officials in the different parts of the archipelago.
At present Spanish surnames and native sounding ones are
used by most Filipinos. Ethnic groups such as the “
lumads” or natives can be
distinguished by their first or family names. And so are the
Muslims who use
Arabic and other words indigenous to them as their names. Although some
Christian Filipinos with Spanish surnames have Spanish blood, Spanish surname
is not an indication of Spanish ancestry in most cases. Basque surnames often
indicate Northern Spanish ancestry of the person bearing the name while Castillan
and Catalan surnames are mostly used by indigenous Filipinos without Spanish heritage.
In the present era significant number of Filipinos has
Chinese surnames, and this is indicative of the increasing contribution of the
Chinese to the Philippine society as well as the ethnic composition of the
Filipinos. Unlike Spanish where Spanish surname does not necessarily indicate
ancestral origin, Filipinos with Chinese surnames almost always have Chinese
ancestry.
Following is a list of Spanish, indigenous Filipino and
other surnames that are used by Filipino families. Although some of the names
may be included in the
Catalogo Alfabetico de Apellidos, the following list of
surnames is not taken from that book. And the following list is not complete either.
Spanish family names that contain the suffix “ez” are
similar to English family names such as Johnson or Peterson where the suffix
“son” means son of. For example, Johnson means the son of John. In like manner
Fernandez means the son of Fernando.
Alvarez- son of
Alvaro, Benitez- son of Benito, Diaz or Diez- son of Diego, Dominguez- son of Domingo, Enriquez- son of Enrique, Estevez- son of Esteban, Fernandez- son of Fernando, Hernandez- son of Hernando, Iñiguez- son of Iñigo, Jimenez- son of Jimeno, Marquez- son of Marcos, Lopez- son of Lope, Martinez- son Martin, Pelaez- son of Pelayo or Pelagio, Ramirez- son of Ramiro, Rodriguez- Son of Rodrigo, Ruiz- son of Ruy, Sanchez- son of Sancho, Vasquez- son of Vasco, Velasquez- son of Velasco
Filipino or Spanish surnames derived from names of places in Spain and other countries:
Aragon- an autonomous community in Northern Spain, Austria- Austria, Avila- a Spanish city, Bayona- Bayonne, Beja- a municipality in Portugal, Belen- Bethlehem, Barcelona- a city in Spain, Belgica- Belgium, Bilbao- a Basque city and municipality
in Spain, Burdeos- from the French
city of Bordeaux, Burgos- a city in
Spain, Cadiz- a city in Southern
Spain, Capistrano- a small town in
Italy called Capestrano, Gante- also Ghent, a city of Belgium, Israel- Israel, Jordan- Jordan, Madrid- the
capital of Spain, Navarra or Navarro
(Navarre)- an autonomous Basque community of Northern Spain, Padua- a city in Italy, Pamplona- The capital city of Navarre, Piamonte- a region in Italy, Rabat- a city in Morocco, Salamanca- a city in Spain, Sevilla- a city in Spain, Tiro (Tyre)- a city in Lebanon, Toledo-Toledo, Tolosa- a Spanish town, Tolentino, a town in central Italy, Valencia- a city in Spain
Spanish surnames with religious connotations that are also used by Filipinos:
Angeles- angels, Apostol- apostle, Asuncion- refers to the assumption of the Virgin Mary, Bautista- refers to St. John the
Baptizer, Concepcion- refers to the
Immaculate Conception, Cruz or de la
Cruz- cross or of the cross, Custodio- guardian angel, Emmanuel- God with us, Encarnacion- incarnation, Evanglelista-
evangelist, Espirito- spirit, Mesias- Messiah, Manuel- variant of Emmanuel, Natividad-
nativity, Nazareno- Nazarene, Obispo-bishop, Oracion- prayer, Querubin- cherub (a kind of angel), Papa- pope or daddy, Pascua- Easter, Purisima- the virgin, Rosario- rosary, Salvador- savior or redeemer which refers to Jesus Christ, Santos- saints, Trinidad- Trinity, Veneracion- veneration
Spanish or Filipino surnames derived from name of Saints and other Biblical personalities:
Agustin-
Augustine, Andres-Andrew, Antonio- Anthony, Bernardo- Bernard, Diego-
James, Felipe- Philip, Francisco- Francis, Guillermo- William, Juan- John, Pedro- Peter, Jose-
Joseph, Lazaro- Lazarus, Lucas- Luke, Marcos- Mark, Mateo-
Mathew, Pablo- Paul, Roque- Roche, Santiago- variant of Diego, Tomas- Thomas, Vicente- Vincent, de Jesus, San Diego, San Jose, San Juan, San
Miguel, Santa Maria, Santa Ana. Other Biblical personalities: David, Gabriel, Isaac, Rafael, Samson, Solomon, Tobias, Zacarias
Filipino surnames which are Spanish in origin:
Abad, Abella, Abalos, Abasolo, Aboitiz, Abreu, Acedo, Acero, Acosta, Adan, Adriano, Africa, Agudo, Aguilar, Aguirre, Alarcon, Alba, Albino, Alcala, Alcantara, Alcaraz, Alcazar, Alegre, Alfaro, Alferez,
Alfonso, Almazan, Almeda, Almirante, Almonte, Alvarado, Amado, Amador, Amante, Amaro, Amor, Amores, Amparo, Ancheta, Antolin, Aquino, Aparicio, Apolinario, Araneta, Arce, Arguelles, Arellano, Arenas, Arevalo, Armas, Arnaiz, Arriola, Arroyo, Arteta, Astorga, Atienza, Atilano, Aurelio, Avila, Azcuna, Aznar, Ayala, Baldonado, Ballesteros, Banez, Barbero, Barbo, Barrameda, Barredo, Barreto, Barrientos,
Barriera, Barros, Basa, Basco, Baylon, Bello, Belmonte, Beltran, Benavidez, Bermejo, Bermudez, Bernad, Bernas, Blanco, Blando, Bocanegra, Bolanos, Borja,
Borra, Borromeo, Botero, Bravo, Brion, Briones, Buendia, Bueno, Burgos, Bustamante, Bustos, Caballero, Cabaneros, Cabrera, Cacho, Calderon, Calma, Calvo, Camacho, Campo, Campos, Cancino, Cardenas,
Cardinal, Cardona, Carillo, Carmona, Carolina, Carpio, Carrasco, Carreon, Carvajal, Casamayor, Castellano, Castelo, Castillo, Castro, Cato, Cayetano, Ceballos, Cedeno, Celis, Cerezo, Chacon, Chavez, Cid, Ciervo, Clemente, Climaco, Colmenares, Concha, Contreras, Cordero,
Corona, Corpus, Corrales, Cortez, Costales, Cristobal, Cuaresma, Cuba, Cuenca, Cueto, Cueva, Cuevas, Damian, Dario, Davila, Daza, Delfin, Delgado, de Guzman, de la Camara, de la Paz, de la Pena, de la Rosa, de la Torre, de Leon, de Luna, del Puerto, Domingo, Duarte, Duenas, Duran, Durante, Echeverria, Elizalde, Endoso, Escalante, Escudero, Esquida, Espejo, Espina, Espino, Espinosa, Estrada, Estrella, Eusebio, Fabella, Fajardo,
Feliciano, Felix, Fermin, Ferrer, Figueroa, Fiel, Florentino, Flores, Floro, Fontanilla, Fortich, Fortun, Franco, Frias, Fuentes, Galindez, Galindo, Gallardo, Gallego, Gallo, Galvez, Gamboa, Garcia,
Garrido, Garzon, Gascon, Gaston, Gil, Giron, Godinez, Gomez, Gongora, Gonzaga, Gonzales, Gregorio, Guadalupe, Guerrero, Guevarra, Guillen, Gutierrez,
Guzman, Hernando, Herrera or Herrero, Hidalgo, Hipolito, Ibanez, Imperial, Infante, Ingles, Inocencio, Izquierdo, Jacinto, Jara, Javier or Xavier, Joaquin, Julian, Labrador, Lago, Lara, La Torre, Laurel, Lazo, Legarda, Legaspi, Ledesma, Leyva, Llorente, Linan, Linde, Lira, Lobaton, Lobo, Lobregat, Lorenzana, Lorenzo, Lluch, Loredo, Loyola, Loyzaga, Lozano, Lucero, Lugo, Luy, Macias, Madrigal, Maestre, Magallanes, Magana, Magin, Manriquez, Manzano, Marcelino, Marcial, Marcos, Mariano, Marmol, Martin, Martir, Martirez, Mata, Medina, Medrano, Mejia, Melgar, Melindez,
Mendoza, Meneses, Menor, Mercado, Merced, Mier, Mijares, Mingo, Miranda, Mojica, Molina, Mondragon, Monge, Monsanto, Montalvan, Montano, Montenegro, Montero, Monteroso, Montes, Montinola, Monzon, Morales, Mora, Moran, Morante, Mortola, Mosqueda, Muñoz, Murillo, Napoles, Narvaez, Navarrete, Nepomuceno, Nicolas, Nieto, Nieves, Neri or Nery, Nunez, Ocampo, Ochoa, Ocon, Ojeda, Olivares, Olivas, Onate, Oquendo, Orbe, Ordonez, Oropesa, Ortega, Ortiz, Osorio, Otero, Pacana, Pacheco, Padilla, Padron, Palma, Pardo, Paredes, Parras, Pascual, Pasion, Pastrana, Pedrosa, Pedroso, Pelayo, Pena, Penalosa, Pilar, Pineda, Peralta, Perez, Pimentel, Pinzon, Pizana, Plaza, Poblete, Ponce, Porras, Posa, Posadas, Prado, Prieto, Prudente, Puertas, Pulido, Quijano, Quiñonez, Quintana, Quintero, Quinto, Ouirino, Rabago, Rama, Ramiro, Ramos, Rada, Ravelo, Raymundo, Razo, Razon,
Rebolledo, Recio, Recto, Redondo, Rendon, Revilla, Reyes, Reynoso, Rivera, Rivero, Roa, Roble, Robledo, Robles, Roces, Rocha, Romualdo, Romualdez, Romero, Rondon, Roxas or Rojas, Rosal, Rosales, Rubi, Rubio, Rufino, Saavedra, Sabado, Sabido, Sabio, Sagun, Salas, Salinas,
Salazar, Salcedo, Saldana, Santillan, Sandoval, Santana, Sanz, Sarmiento, Sereno, Serrano, Sierra, Silva, Silverio, Silvestre, Sison, Solares, Soler, Solis, Somera, Soria, Soriano, Sotelo, Soto/Sotto, Suarez, Tagle, Talavera, Tamayo, Tano, Tapia, Tejada, Teodoro, Toribio, Torno, Torralba, Torre, Torrente, Torres, Trujillo, Tugot, Valderama, Valdez, Valenzuela, Valerio, Vallejos, Varela,
Vargas, Varona, Vega, Velarde, Velasco, Velez, Vera,Victorino, Villa, Villacorta, Villaflor, Villafuerte, Villalon, Villamor, Villar, Villareal, Villaverde, Villegas, Villanueva, , Viloria, Zabala, Zambrano, Zamora, Zaldivar, Zayas, Zorilla, Zuniga, Zubiri, Yañez, Yepes
Filipino surnames derived from Spanish words:
Abrogar- to abrogate, Abuso- abuse, Aguinaldo- christmas box, Alano- mastiff, Aleman- German, Algodon- cotton, Almendras- plural of almond, Amarga- to embitter, Anciano- old, Apacible- gentle, Arana-spider, Ardiente- burning, Argana- crane, Armada- navy, Arrozal- paddy, Auditor- auditor, Autor- author, Avenido- avenue, Bacal- corncob, Baldon- affront, Balon- ball, Baranda- rail, Barba- beard, Barranco- gully, Barroso- muddy, Batalla- battle, Brillantes- plural of diamond, Brillo- brightness, Buzon- letter box, Cachuela- rapids, Calizo- limestone, Canete- small pipe, Canon- gorge, Cazador- hunter, Celeste- blue sky, Celestial- celestial, Cena- supper, Centeno- rye, Cinco- five, Colina- hill, Crucero- cruise ship, Cuna- cut, Cuneta- gutter, Defensor- defender, Diamante- diamond, Diligencia- diligence, Dolor- sorrow, Dolores- plural of dolor, Duque- duke, Ejercito- army, Embate- beating, Enjambre- swarm, Escribano- court clerk, Factura- bill, Galano- smart, Galgo- greyhound, Galon- braid, Garlito- fish trap, Gesto- gesture, Guantero- glover, Hallazgo- discovery, Hora- hour, Jarcia- rigging, Jardin- garden, Joya- jewel, Junio- June, Labial- labial, Lapiz- pencil, Loma- hillock, Luna- moon, Luz- light, Mapa- map, Maranon- cashew, Medalla- medal, Mediante- by means of, Mirar- to look, Mitra- miter, Monta- total, Monte- mountain, Morada- dwelling, Naranjo- orange tree, Noble- noble, Obra- handiwork, Ocio- leisure, Oro- gold, Pagar- to pay, Pajaron- vague, Pajarito- baby bird, Pajaro- bird, Palacio- palace, Paloma- dove, Paterno- paternal, Pavo- turkey, Pepino- cucumber, Peregrina- pilgrim, Perlas- plural of pearl, Pintor- painter, Piquero- pike man, Platon- large dish, Poblacion- population, Primicias- plural of novelty, Pulga- flea, Rebano- flock, Refugio- refuge, Regencia- regency, Ricacho- fabulously rich, Repollo- cabbage, Rocio- dew, Rola- police station, Sabana- savannah, Sala- living room, Salon- salon, Sol- sun, Subido- bright, Tabique-thin wall, Tanate- basket, Tenorio- lady killer, Tierra- the earth, Trompeta- trumpet, Tutor- tutor, Valeroso- brave, Valle- valley, Valles- plural of valle, Vanguardia- vanguard, Ver- see, Vida- life
Indigenous Filipino surnames:
Abamonga, Abacahin, Abaday, Abat, Abangan, Abaquita, Abaya, Abe-abe, Absin, Abuan, Abucay, Abuhon, Agan, Agawin, Agbay, Agbayani, Agbon, Agbuya, Agcopra, Aglipay, Agpawa, Akiatan, Akut, Amamonpon, Amoguis, Ampo, Aso, Awa, Awitan, Awiten, Ba-aclo, Baal, Baang, Bacolod, Baconga, Baculio, Bacungan, Badoy, Bagaipo,
Baguio, Bahian, Bajao, Balaba, Balabat, Balatbat, Balacuit, Baladad, Balaman, Balao, Balaoing, Balucanag, Balingit, Balintag, Balite, Balot, Baluyot, Banaag, Banaban, Banal, Bangoy, Bantayan, Bantilan, Basilan, Bato-bato, Batongbacal, Bayabos, Bayot, Bigcas, Binay, Boctot,
Bodiongan, Bohol, Bondoc, Bonghanoy, Bontigao, Booc, Bual, Buan, Buhay, Buhain, Buna, Bohol, Bucog, Buctuan, Bugas, Buhay, Bunayog, Buten, Cabacungan, Cabading, Cabagnot, Cabahug, Cabalbag, Cabanag, Cabangbang, Cabaong, Cabatingan, Cabili, Cabunoc,
Cagalawan, Cagampang, Cagang, Cagubcob, Cagulada, Cagurangan, Cainglit, Cainoy, Caipang, Calapis, Calaycay, Calingin, Calipis, Caliwan, Camomot, Candawan, Canoy, Capapas, Capili, Capulong, Capuyan, Casicas, Casipli, Catacutan, Catapang, Cawaling, Cayabyab, Comahig, Combong, Culanag, Cunanan, Cuyos, Daclag, Daclan, Dacoco, Dagoc, Dagooc, Dagondon,
Dagudag, Daguplo, Daguhoy, Dagway, Dahino, Daigdigan, Dailo, Dalangin, Dalapag, Daling, Dalisay, Dalman, Daming, Dap-og, Daposala, Dato, Dayan, Dayang, Dayanghirang, Dayot, Dayrit, Dilo-dilo, Dimaandal, Dimaano, Dimaculangan, Dimagiba, Dimalanta, Dimapilis, Dimarucot, Dimaya, Duat, Ducut, Duhaylungsod, Duma-og, Dumlao, Eblacas, Estigoy, Ga-a, Gaane, Gaabucayan, Gacutan, Gadian, Galolo, Galupo, Gamotin, Gamutan, Gatbonton, Gapuz, Gino-o, Guian, Guiang, Guibone, Guinto, Gumaga, Gumtang, Gutang, Halili, Hirang, Ibot, Igot, Ilacad, Ilagan, Imboy, Jacutin, Jalosjos, Jamito, Jangao, Jaudian, Jumao-as, Jumawan, Jumoc, Kabigting, Kalaw, Kangleon, Kapunan, Kara-an, Karingal, Katigbak, Katipunan, Labininay, Labis, Labitan, Lactao, Lagmay, Labuntog, Lagumbay, Lagbas, Lagman, Lamac-lamac, Lamanilao, Lamdagan, Langgam, Langit, Lansang, Lapid, Laplap, Lapus, Lawas, Layon, Layug, Lesaca, Ligot, Ligutan, Ligutum, Lina-ac, Liwag, Liwanag, Lomboy, Lucagbo, Lugod, Luib, Lukban, Lumantas, Lumban, Luzon, Maagad, Maambong, Maandig, Mabalo, Mabalot, Mabanag, Mabanglo, Mabao, Mabilog, Mabini, Mabulay, Macabinta, Macabu-ac, Macahiya,
Macalam, Macale, Macalinao, Macalisang, Macalma,
Macapagal, Macapayag, Macapinlac, Macapobre, Macaraeg, Macasaet, Macasero, Macatangay, Macatol, Macaya, Maclang, Macmang, Madamba, Madayag, Maganto, Magbanua, Magat, Magay, Magbag, Magbago, Magbanua, Maghuyop, Maglipac, Magpayo, Magpulong, Mahinay, Mahusay, Maglaya, Magpayo, Magsacay, Magsanoc, Magsaysay, Magsayo, Magsino, Makalintal, Makinano, Malabanan, Malacay, Malana, Malapitan, Malinao, Maliwat, Malixi, Mamaril, Mamawag, Maminta, Mamites, Maloloy-on, Malubay, Mana-ay, Manahan, Manalac, Manalastas, Manalo, Manaloto, Manaig, Manansala, Manaog, Mandac, Mangabang, Mangahas, Manglapus, Mangubat, Mangaoang, Manibog, Manicad, Manimtim, Maningding, Maniwang, Manotoc, Mantaring, Manulat, Maquiling, Marallag, Maramba, Marasigan, Matawaran, Maturan, Mones, Mulingtapang, Musni, Mutia, Nacalaban, Naduma, Nagac, Nakpil, Napone, Narag, Narcise, Nicdao, Nunag, Omaga, Omictin, Ople, Orongan, Paalam, Paasa, Pabustan, Pacatang, Pacquiao, Padayao, Pagaduan, Paglinawan, Paguio, Pagulayan, Pagunsan, Paguntalan, Palad, Palasan, Palong-palong, Palao, Palafox, Pamatong, Pambid, Pamintuan, Pamittan, Pangan, Pangandaman, Panganiban, Pangilinan, Parangan, Parungao, Patacsil, Patalinghug, Patay, Pates, Paurom, Payot, Pesigan, Pilapil, Pingol, Pogoy, Potot, Pumaren, Punay, Puno, Punongbayan, Purugganan, Putian, Puyat, Quiboloy, Raagas, Rabaca, Rabara, Rabe, Rafal, Rafanan, Ragadio, Ragandang, Raluto, Rapanut, Ringor, Ringpis, Saa, Saarenas, Sabal, Sabanal, Sabio, Sabonsolin, Sacala, Sacay, Sagaysay, Saguisag, Sagun, Salamat, Salisi, Salonga, Salosagcol, Sandiko, Sanga, Sapigao, Sarao, Sibayan, Silang, Simbulan, Singson, Suaybaguio, Soliman, Sucaldito, Sudiacal, Suganob, Sullano, Sumagaysay, Sumalpong, Simoy, Sumpay, Sumilang, Sumili, Sumulong, Sunga, Supnet, Supsop, Surigao, Taal, Tabac, Tabalbag, Taban, Tabaniag, Tabas, Tabo-tabo, Tac-an, Tacadena, Tacandong, Tacastacas,Taclendo, Tacogdoy, Tagalog, Tagam, Tagamolila, Tagocon, Taguines, Tajanlangit, Talampas, Talay, Talingting, Talisayon, Tamondong, Tamparong, Tamsi, Tangcalagan, Tapayan, Taruc, Tayag, Tibon, Tigas, Tiglao, Timbal, Tocle, Tubongbanua, Tucmo, Tugade, Tugado, Tugot, Tumala, Tumanda, Tumulak, Tunacao, Tungpalan, Tupas, Uayan, Ubaob, Ucab, Ulit, Umali, Unabia, Undag, Ungab, Ungos, Untalan, Viray, Visaya, Waban, Waga, Yabes, Yabut,
Yacapin, Yamut, Yanga, Yango, Yaranon, Yasay, Yongco, Ytem
Surnames of Filipino-Chinese families:
Ang, Chan, Chang, Chee, Chiang, Ching, Chiu, Chua, Co, Cojuangco,
Dy, Gaw, Gan, Go, Goking, Gokongwei, Lao, Lee, Li, Lichaoco, Lim, Limsiaco, Ong, Sia, Siao, Sy, Tan, Tanjuatco,
Uy, Wong, Woo, Yap, Yee, Yip, Yu, Yuchengco
Family names of Muslim Filipinos:
Abas, Abdul, Abdul aziz, Abdul Wahab, Abdulhamid, Abdullah, Abubakar, Adiong, Alawi, Ali, Alonto, Aminodin, Ampatuan, Ampuan, Bacaraman, Badiri, Balindong, Basman, Boriongan, Casim, Cauntongan, Darimbang, Datumanong, Dianalan, Dimaporo, Faisal, Gandamra, Gubat, Gulam, Guro, Hassan, Ibrahim, Ismael, Kiram, Kumoh, Lucman, Macapaar, Macarambon, Macaraya, Macauyag, Macawadib, Malik, Manabilang, Mangundato, Mangudadato, Malambut, Malayo, Mama, Manalocon, Marohombsar, Marohomsalic, Mastura, Matabalao, Matalam, Maute, Midtimbang, Muhammad, Musa, Mustapha, Mutilan, Nasser, Paglas, Pangandaman,
Panandigan, Pangarungan, Pangcoga, Pangonte, Pendatun, Rasul, Sahirani, Salamat, Salappudin, Salic, Sangcopan, Sinsuat, Solaiman, Sultan, Tamano, Tomawis, Umpa, Usman, Utto
Other family names whose bearers have European or other ancestries:
Bachmann- German, Barbers- American, Brawner- American, Bagatsing- Indian, Hall- American, Jaworski- European, Motoomull- Indian, Saab- Arab, Shahani- Indian, Webb- UK, Willkom- European, Wilson- American
Related blogs that you may also like:
