This list includes 30 Spanish last names that start with D, from “De Armas” to “Díaz”. They range from common patronymics to regional toponyms and forms with the “De” prefix. You can use this list for genealogy, choosing a surname, naming characters, or quick classroom research.

Spanish last names that start with D are family names in Spain and Latin America that reflect ancestry or place. Many preserve medieval patterns, like patronymics ending in -ez or locatives with “De”.

Below you’ll find the table with Surname, Meaning / Origin, and Notable people.

Surname: This column lists each last name alphabetically so you can find specific surnames quickly and check spelling.

Meaning / Origin: This column gives a one-line meaning or origin, so you can understand the surname’s basic roots and context.

Notable people: This column names one or two notable bearers with a brief descriptor to help you connect names to real figures.

Spanish last names that start with D

SurnameMeaningOrigin/RegionNotable bearers
Díazson of DiegoIberian (Castile)Porfirio Díaz (1830–1915): Mexican president
Domínguezson of DomingoIberian (northwest)Marta Domínguez (b.1975): Spanish long-distance runner
Delgadothin, slenderSpain & Latin AmericaCarlos Delgado (b.1972): Puerto Rican baseball player
Duránenduring; from DurantCatalonia & broader SpainRoberto Durán (b.1951): Panamanian boxer
Dávilaof Ávila (de Ávila)Castile (Ávila)Carlos Dávila (1887–1955): Chilean politician
Duartefrom Edward (“wealthy guardian”)Iberia; CaribbeanJuan Pablo Duarte (1813–1876): Dominican founding father
Domingofrom given name DomingoSpain & AmericasPlácido Domingo (b.1941): Spanish tenor
Donosopleasant, witty (old Spanish)Chile & SpainJosé Donoso (1924–1996): Chilean novelist
De la Cruzof the CrossSpain & Latin AmericaJuan de la Cruz (1542–1591): Spanish mystic poet
Del Ríoof the riverSpain & AmericasDolores del Río (1904–1983): Mexican actress
Del Bosqueof the forestSpainVicente del Bosque (b.1950): Spanish football manager
Del Toroof the bullSpain & Puerto RicoBenicio del Toro (b.1967): Puerto Rican actor
De la Vegaof the meadowCastile, SpainGarcilaso de la Vega (c.1501–1536): Spanish poet
De la Fuenteof the fountain/springSpain & Latin AmericaVíctor de la Fuente (1927–2010): Spanish comic artist
Del Valleof the valleySpain & AmericasMiguel del Valle (b.1951): American politician
De la Torreof the towerSpain & Latin AmericaAntonio de la Torre (b.1968): Spanish actor
De la Rúaof the road/streetSpain & ArgentinaFernando de la Rúa (1937–2019): Argentine president
De la Sotafrom place name “La Sota”Spain & ArgentinaJosé Manuel de la Sota (1949–2018): Argentine politician
De la Peñaof the rock/cliffSpain & MexicoIván de la Peña (b.1976): Spanish footballer
De la Ciervaliterally “of the doe”SpainJuan de la Cierva (1895–1936): Spanish engineer
De Armasof weaponsCuba & SpainAna de Armas (b.1988): Cuban-Spanish actress
De Jesúsof JesusCaribbean & Latin AmericaJosé DeJesús (b.1965): Puerto Rican baseball pitcher
De Leónof León (region)Spain & AmericasJosé De León (b.1992): Puerto Rican baseball pitcher
De la Moraof the blackberry or MoorSpain & MexicoFernando de la Mora (b.1966): Mexican tenor
De la Hoyaof the hollow/valleySpain & MexicoOscar De La Hoya (b.1973): American boxer
De la Rosaof the roseSpain & AmericasPedro de la Rosa (b.1971): Spanish Formula One driver
De la Guardiaof the guardPanama & SpainRicardo de la Guardia (1899–1969): Panamanian president
Del Solarof the house/solarPeru, Chile & MexicoFernando del Solar (1973–2022): Argentine-Mexican TV host
De la Iglesiaof the churchSpainÁlex de la Iglesia (b.1965): Spanish film director
DomènechCatalan form of Domínguez/DomingoCatalonia & ValenciaXavier Domènech (b.1974): Catalan historian-politician

Descriptions

Díaz
Very common patronymic across Spain and Latin America; variants Díaz; high frequency in many countries.
Domínguez
Patronymic from the given name Domingo; widespread in Spain and Latin America with spelling variants.
Delgado
Descriptive nickname-turned-surname; common in Spain and former colonies; appears in many regional communities.
Durán
Found across Spain and Latin America; Catalan variant often unaccented “Duran”; multiple etymological possibilities.
Dávila
Toponymic surname derived from the city of Ávila; variants Davila; common among colonial families.
Duarte
Portuguese/Galician form adopted into Spanish-speaking Caribbean; prominent in the Dominican Republic.
Domingo
Derived from Latin Dominicus; used both as a given name and a surname; widespread.
Donoso
Concentrated in Chile and the southern Cone; literary associations from old Spanish adjective “donoso.”
De la Cruz
Devotional toponymic surname common throughout Catholic Hispanic world; many compound and local forms.
Del Río
Toponymic surname very common in Hispanic countries; spelled Del Río, Del Rio or del Río.
Del Bosque
Less common but notable; evokes woodland origin and appears in Spain and Latin America.
Del Toro
Found in Spain and the Americas; may be toponymic or occupational in origin.
De la Vega
Historically noble and literary surname with strong aristocratic associations in Spain.
De la Fuente
Toponymic surname common across Hispanic countries; variants include Delafuente.
Del Valle
Frequent toponymic surname in Latin America and U.S. Hispanic communities; also spelled Delvalle.
De la Torre
Widely used toponymic surname; variants include de Torre and Delatorre; common in many regions.
De la Rúa
Toponymic surname notable in Argentina; derived from medieval “rúa” meaning street.
De la Sota
Regional surname connected to Córdoba Province in Argentina; toponymic origins.
De la Peña
Toponymic from “peña” (rock); common in Spain and across Latin America with noble branches.
De la Cierva
Associated with notable engineer/inventor; surname tied to historical estates and families.
De Armas
Common in Cuba and the Canary Islands; possibly occupational or toponymic in origin.
De Jesús
Devotional surname widespread in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Hispanic U.S. communities.
De León
Toponymic from the Spanish region/province of León; common in Spain and former colonies.
De la Mora
Toponymic or ethnonymic surname; found in Spain and Mexico with several spelling variants.
De la Hoya
Well-known Mexican-American surname; toponymic and frequent in southwestern U.S. communities.
De la Rosa
Floral toponymic surname widespread across the Hispanic world with many notable bearers.
De la Guardia
Prominent in Panama and nearby regions; toponymic/occupational origin with political associations.
Del Solar
Surname with colonial spread in Latin America; appears among media and public figures.
De la Iglesia
Devotional/toponymic surname; notable bearers in Spanish arts and culture.
Domènech
Catalan patronymic variant common in northeastern Spain; orthography includes diacritic in Catalan.
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