This list includes 70 Spanish last names that start with G, from “Gadea” to “Górriz”. These names range from very common surnames to regional or historical variants found across Spain and Latin America. Use it for genealogy, choosing character names, family-history research, or general curiosity.
Spanish last names that start with G are family names common in Spain and Latin America. Many come from old given names or place names; for example, “García” appears in countless historical records.
Below you’ll find the table with [COLUMN_NAMES].
Surname: The listed family name in alphabetical order so you can quickly find and compare entries.
Meaning & origin: Brief one-line description of the name’s origin or literal meaning to help you understand its roots.
Notable people: One or two notable individuals linked to each surname, with a short descriptor to give context.
Spanish last names that start with G
| Surname | Variants | Meaning | Origin/Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| García | Garcia | Possibly Basque; uncertain, maybe “young” or “bear” | Spain, Latin America |
| González | Gonzales, González | Son of Gonzalo | Spain, Mexico, Latin America |
| Gómez | Gomes, Gomez | Son of Gome/Gomo (given name) | Spain, Latin America |
| Gutiérrez | Gutierrez | Son of Gutierre | Spain, Mexico, Colombia |
| Gil | Gíl | From given name Gil (Aegidius) | Spain, Catalonia, Latin America |
| Guerrero | Gurrero | Warrior (Spanish word) | Spain, Mexico, Philippines, Latin America |
| Gallego | Gallegos, Gallega | From Galicia (Galician) | Spain, Argentina, Mexico |
| Garza | Garça, Garza | Heron (bird) | Mexico, Spain, Latin America |
| Gracia | Gracia | Grace (religious/virtue name) | Spain, Latin America |
| Granados | Granado | Pomegranates (or place name) | Spain, Latin America |
| Guzmán | Guzman | Possibly Visigothic origin; place name | Spain, Mexico, Latin America |
| Godoy | Godoi, Godoy | Possibly “Goth” or personal name derivative | Spain, Chile, Argentina |
| Galán | Galan | Gallant or from place name | Spain, Colombia, Latin America |
| Gallardo | Gallardos | Brave, gallant | Spain, Latin America |
| Gálvez | Galvez | Likely toponymic from places named Gálvez | Spain, Mexico, Argentina |
| Galván | Galvan | Likely of Visigothic or toponymic origin | Spain, Mexico, Latin America |
| Guevara | Gebara, Guevara | Basque toponymic, “place of yew” (possible) | Spain, Latin America |
| Guardiola | Guardiolas | Warden, guard | Catalonia, Spain, Latin America |
| Guillén | Guillen | From given name Guillén (William) | Spain, Latin America |
| Giner | Giner | From given name Ginés or occupational | Spain (Valencia, Catalonia), Latin America |
| Grau | Grao, Grau | Catalan: “steep place” or “harbor area” | Catalonia, Valencia, Peru |
| Gay | Gay | Old Catalan/Occitan surname, likely meaning “joyful” | Spain (Catalonia), Latin America |
| Goñi | Goni | Basque toponymic | Spain (Navarre, Basque Country), Argentina |
| Gamboa | Gamboas | Toponymic from place name Gamboa | Spain, Mexico, Latin America |
| Garcés | Garces | Patronymic from García (old form) | Spain, Latin America |
| Garcilaso | Garci Lasso | Compound medieval surname | Spain, Peru |
| Garzón | Garzon | Likely diminutive of Garza or place-derived | Spain, Colombia, Latin America |
| Goicoechea | Goicoechea, Goikoetxea | Basque toponymic | Spain (Basque Country), Latin America |
| Galarza | Galarza | Basque toponymic | Spain, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico |
| Gallegos | Gallego | Person from Galicia | Spain, Latin America, Argentina |
| Garrido | Garrido | From “garrido” meaning elegant or lively | Spain, Latin America |
| Girón | Giron | Possible toponymic or from given name Jerónimo | Spain, Guatemala, Latin America |
| Giraldo | Giraldo | From given name Geraldo/Gerald | Spain, Colombia, Latin America |
| Gurría | Gurria | Basque/Spanish; uncertain meaning | Mexico, Spain |
| Godínez | Godinez | Diminutive/patronymic of Godo/God | Spain, Mexico, Latin America |
| Galdós | Galdos | Basque/Spanish toponymic | Spain, Latin America |
| Gascón | Gascon | From Gascony or Gascon origin | Spain (Aragon, Catalonia), Latin America |
| Góngora | Gongora | Possibly from place name or Basque root | Spain, Latin America |
| Gaviria | Gaviria | Likely toponymic | Colombia, Spain, Latin America |
| Gaitán | Gaitan | Possibly from “goiter” or place name | Colombia, Latin America |
| Gasset | Gasset | From given name or locality | Spain |
| Gelabert | Gelabert | Catalan/Balearic toponymic | Spain (Balearic Islands), Latin America |
| Gadea | Gadea | Basque or Navarrese toponymic | Spain, Peru, Latin America |
| Górriz | Gorriz | Basque origin, “small hill” (possible) | Spain (Basque Country), Latin America |
| Goitia | Goitia | Basque toponymic, “place of goats” | Spain (Basque Country), Mexico |
| Galdames | Galdames | Basque toponymic | Spain (Basque Country), Chile |
| Guadalupe | Guadalupe | From the Marian devotion/place name | Spain, Mexico, Latin America |
| Gamarra | Gamarra | Basque toponymic | Spain (Basque Country), Peru, Bolivia |
| Gálvez | Galvez | See Gálvez (alternate spelling) | Spain, Mexico, Latin America |
| Goyeneche | Goyeneche | Basque toponymic | Spain (Basque Country), Peru |
| Gómez de la Serna | Gómez de la Serna | Compound (Gómez + toponymic) | Spain, Latin America |
| Griñán | Grinan | From “griña” (curl) or place | Spain (Andalusia) |
| Grijalva | Grijalba, Grijalva | Toponymic; origin uncertain | Spain, Mexico, Guatemala |
| Gonzalo | Gonzalo | From given name Gonzalo used as surname | Spain, Latin America |
| Ginel | Ginel | Catalan/Valencian surname | Spain (Valencia), Latin America |
| Garay | Garai | Basque toponymic, “height” | Spain (Basque Country), Argentina |
| Gamboín | Gamboin | Variant of Gamboa | Spain, Latin America |
| Gual | Gual | Catalan origin, meaning uncertain | Spain (Catalonia), Argentina |
| Gualdron | Gualdrón | Toponymic/diminutive | Colombia, Venezuela |
| Gómez-Palacio | Gomez-Palacio | Compound surname (Gómez + toponym) | Mexico, Spain |
| Gálan | Galan | Variant of Galán | Spain, Latin America |
| González de Lara | Gonzalez de Lara | Compound noble surname | Spain |
| Guardado | Guardado | Guarded or occupational “guard” | Spain, Mexico, El Salvador |
| Guillermo | Guillermo | From given name Guillermo used as surname | Spain, Latin America |
| Guerra | Guerrra | War or “warrior” (from guerra) | Spain, Latin America |
| Gualberto | Gualberto | From given name Gualberto used as surname | Spain, Latin America |
| González-Ruiz | Gonzalez-Ruiz | Compound patronymic combination | Spain, Latin America |
| Giráldez | Giraldez | Toponymic from Giraldo/Giralda | Spain |
| Guzmán-Ponce | Guzman-Ponce | Compound noble surname | Spain, Latin America |
| Guerra-Navarro | Guerra-Navarro | Compound surname combination | Spain, Latin America |
Descriptions
García
The single most common Spanish surname across Spain and Latin America; ancient patronymic of uncertain meaning. Extremely frequent in many countries. (Gabriel García Márquez, 1927–2014, novelist; Andrés García, 1941–2024, actor)
González
Very common patronymic derived from the given name Gonzalo; widespread across Iberia and the Americas. High frequency in many national censuses. (Raúl González, b. 1977, Spanish footballer; Luis González, b. 1979, baseball)
Gómez
Ancient patronymic surname common throughout Spanish-speaking countries. Popular in urban and rural regions. (Andrés Gómez, b. 1960, Ecuadorian tennis player; Enrique Gómez, 1916–1955, film director)
Gutiérrez
Patronymic from the medieval name Gutierre; frequent in Spain and many Latin American countries. Strong presence in coastal and inland regions. (Luis Gutiérrez, b. 1953, U.S. congressman; Sergio Gutiérrez, b. 1980, athlete)
Gil
Short surname from the medieval given name Gil; common in Spain, especially Aragón and Catalonia. Often appears in literature and records. (Miguel Gil, b. 1960, politician; Ana Gil, actress)
Guerrero
Originally a nickname for a fighter or soldier; common in Spain and former colonies. Also found as a toponymic element. (Chabelo Guerrero?), (Héctor Guerrero, b. 1954, wrestler)
Gallego
Toponymic surname denoting origin in Galicia. Widely used in Spain and former emigrant destinations in the Americas. (Ricardo Gallego, b. 1959, Spanish footballer; Jorge Gallegos, actor)
Garza
Common in northern Mexico and among Mexican-Americans; originally a nickname referring to the bird, often tied to coastal regions. (Enrique Garza, politician; Lupita Garza, artist)
Gracia
Derived from the word for grace; used as a surname and less commonly as a given name. Present across Spain and Hispanic America. (Antonio Gracia, musician; Pilar Gracia, writer)
Granados
Toponymic or descriptive surname referencing pomegranate trees or places named Granados. Found in Spain and Latin American countries. (Dolores Granados, singer; Jorge Granados, footballer)
Guzmán
Old noble surname with medieval roots; present in Spanish nobility and widespread in the Americas. (Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, b. 1957, drug lord; Inca Garcilaso de la Vega’s mother line)
Godoy
Historic surname in Spain and Latin America; associated with aristocracy in some regions. Moderate frequency. (Manuel Godoy, 1767–1851, Spanish prime minister; Oscar Godoy, politician)
Galán
Nickname or toponymic origin; used across Spain and Latin America. Notable in politics and arts. (Luis Carlos Galán, 1943–1989, Colombian politician; María Galán, actress)
Gallardo
Derived from the adjective gallardo meaning brave or handsome; common in Spain and Hispanic America. (Francisco Gallardo, b. 1970, athlete; Pilar Gallardo, artist)
Gálvez
Noble and military associations historically; common in Spain and former colonies. (Juan Gálvez, 1787–1861, Spanish bishop; Alonso de Gálvez, colonial official)
Galván
Widespread surname in Spain and the Americas; found in many regions and social strata. (Fernando Galván, writer; José Galván, athlete)
Guevara
Basque-origin surname that spread widely, especially in the Americas after conquest. Famous international bearers. (Ernesto “Che” Guevara, 1928–1967, revolutionary; Pedro de Guevara, historical figure)
Guardiola
Catalan toponymic or occupational name meaning guard; notable in sports and politics. (Pep Guardiola, b. 1971, football manager/player; Begoña Guardiola, politician)
Guillén
Patronymic from medieval given name; frequent in Spain and Latin America with literary presence. (Alberto Guillén, singer; Jorge Guillén, 1893–1984, poet)
Giner
Catalan/Valencian surname with medieval roots; common in eastern Spain and emigrant communities. (Rocío Giner, actress; Manuel Giner, politician)
Grau
Catalan surname common in eastern Spain and Peru/Latin America through migration. (Joan Grau, painter; Jorge Grau, film director)
Gay
Short Catalan surname with medieval origins; present in Spain and Hispanic communities abroad. (José Gay, musician; Fermín Gay, artist)
Goñi
Basque surname from places named Goñi in Navarra; carried by emigrants to Latin America. (Pablo Goñi, politician; José Goñi, diplomat)
Gamboa
Basque/Spanish toponymic surname; common in Mexico and across Latin America. (Jorge Gamboa, cyclist; Ricardo Gamboa, actor)
Garcés
Older variant related to García; appears in medieval records and modern use in Hispanic countries. (Tirso de Molina (Garcés?)?), (Ángel Garcés, politician)
Garcilaso
Historic noble surname; famous in literature and colonial history (Inca Garcilaso de la Vega). (Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, 1539–1616, writer)
Garzón
Common in Spain and Latin America; notable in law and politics. (Baltasar Garzón, b. 1955, Spanish judge; Gustavo Adolfo Garzón, politician)
Goicoechea
Distinct Basque surname meaning “new/upper house”; found among Basque diaspora in the Americas. (Luis Goicoechea, athlete; Erika Goicoechea)
Galarza
Basque-origin surname common in Andean countries and Spain; often associated with colonial-era settlers. (Jorge Galarza, politician; Edmundo Galarza)
Gallegos
Plural form indicating origin in Galicia; frequent in Latin America due to migration. (Edmundo Gallegos, politician; Laura Gallegos, writer)
Garrido
Derived from adjective; common in Spain and widely in Hispanic America. (Mariano Garrido, athlete; Pilar Garrido, actress)
Girón
Historic aristocratic and military surname in Spain and former colonies. (Alvaro Girón, politician; Rodrigo Girón, military)
Giraldo
Patronymic form found especially in Colombia and Central America; common among rural families. (Santiago Giraldo, b. 1987, Colombian tennis player)
Gurría
Less common surname with Basque resonance; notable in Mexican public life. (Ángel Gurría, b. 1950, Mexican economist)
Godínez
Patronymic/diminutive surname appearing in Spain and many Latin American registries. (Victor Godínez, athlete; Rosa Godínez)
Galdós
Notable literary surname from Spain; associated with realist novelist Benito Pérez Galdós. (Benito Pérez Galdós, 1843–1920, novelist)
Gascón
Surname indicating origin from Gascony/Frankish regions; present in northeastern Spain and colonies. (Pedro Gascón, actor; Marta Gascón)
Góngora
Historic literary surname associated with the Baroque poet Luis de Góngora. (Luis de Góngora, 1561–1627, poet; Pablo Góngora, writer)
Gaviria
Prominent in Colombia; political family name with high public recognition. (César Gaviria, b. 1947, former president of Colombia; José Gaviria, musician)
Gaitán
Strongly associated with Colombian history and politics. (Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, 1903–1948, politician)
Gasset
Spanish intellectual surname with literary ties. (José Ortega y Gasset, 1883–1955, philosopher — compound)
Gelabert
Balearic surname with medieval roots; found in island and diaspora communities. (Jaume Gelabert, politician)
Gadea
Regional surname from northern Spain; appears among emigrant families in the Americas. (Pablo Gadea, athlete)
Górriz
Regional Basque surname present in Spain and among emigrants. (Xabier Gorriz, footballer)
Goitia
Basque surname with presence in Spain and diaspora; sometimes linked to rural occupations. (Ángel Goitia, artist)
Galdames
Toponymic surname from Biscay; found in Chile and other Latin American countries via migration. (Antonio Galdames, footballer)
Guadalupe
Derived from the famous Spanish place and Marian devotion; used as surname in some families. (Alejandro Guadalupe, musician)
Gamarra
Basque-origin surname common in Andean countries; found in politics and business. (José Gamarra, artist; Agustín Gamarra, 1785–1841, Peruvian president)
Gálvez
Historic surname with colonial and military ties; prevalent in Spain and Latin America. (Matías de Gálvez, 1717–1784, colonial governor)
Goyeneche
Noble Basque family name appearing in Spanish colonial history and Peru. (José de Goyeneche, 1776–1846, statesman)
Gómez de la Serna
Compound surname used in Spanish contexts; literary family with modernist ties. (Ramón Gómez de la Serna, 1888–1963, writer)
Griñán
Andalusian surname with regional presence and political figures. (José Griñán, b. 1946, Spanish politician)
Grijalva
Colonial-era surname common in Mexico and Central America; associated with conquistador families. (Diego Grijalva, explorer; Bruno Grijalva)
Gonzalo
Less common as a surname but attested; patronymic origins. (Alberto Gonzalo, athlete)
Ginel
Regional surname from eastern Spain; less widespread. (María Ginel, artist)
Garay
Historic surname present in Spain and Latin America; appears in exploration records. (Juan de Garay, 1528–1583, conquistador)
Gamboín
Regional variant of Gamboa, occurring in some Latin American records. (Luis Gamboín, musician)
Gual
Catalan surname with diaspora presence in Argentina and Uruguay. (Josep Gual, businessman)
Gualdron
Andean surname with local prominence in Colombia and Venezuela. (Carlos Gualdrón, politician)
Gómez-Palacio
Compound last name found in Mexico and Spain; common in formal contexts. (Alfonso Gómez-Palacio, writer)
Gálan
Orthographic variant; similar origin and distribution to Galán. (María Gálan, artist)
González de Lara
Historic aristocratic family name; appears in medieval and early modern records. (Members of House of Lara)
Guardado
Occupational surname tied to guardianship; used across Latin America. (Ángel Guardado, footballer)
Guillermo
Occasional use of the given name as a family name in some regions. (María Guillermo, artist)
Guerra
Surname derived from the Spanish word for war; common and widely distributed. (José de la Guerra, 1779–1858, Californio landowner; Manuel Guerra, athlete)
Gualberto
Uncommon surname derived from a given name; attested in Latin America. (Carlos Gualberto, musician)
González-Ruiz
Modern compound surname combining two patronymics; appears among families in Spain and abroad. (Ana González-Ruiz, academic)
Giráldez
Regional surname in Andalusia and Castile; linked to place names and tower names (Giralda). (Francisco Giráldez, artist)
Guzmán-Ponce
Compound surname seen in aristocratic and bureaucratic records. (Manuel Guzmán-Ponce, historian)
Guerra-Navarro
Contemporary compound surname formed from two common Spanish family names. (Laura Guerra-Navarro, politician)