This list includes 35 Spanish last names that start with S, from “Saavedra” to “Sánchez”. These names range from common patronymics and toponymics to regional and historical variants across Spain and Latin America. They help genealogy researchers, writers naming characters, parents choosing surnames, and students studying family names.
Spanish last names that start with S are family names from Spanish-speaking regions that begin with the letter S. Many derive from places or patronymics; “Sánchez” has been common since medieval Iberia and illustrates patronymic formation.
Below you’ll find the table with Surname, Meaning / Origin, and Notable people.
Surname: The family name in standard Spanish spelling, including common variants and diacritics so you can recognize related forms.
Meaning / Origin: A concise one-line etymology or origin (toponymic, patronymic, or occupational) to help you understand each name’s roots.
Notable people: One or two notable individuals associated with the surname, with short descriptors so you can find familiar examples.
Spanish last names that start with S
| Surname | Meaning | Region of origin | Estimated bearers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sánchez | Son of Sancho | Spain | 2,500,000 |
| Suárez | Son of Suero | Spain | 900,000 |
| Sotomayor | Under the apple tree (toponym) | Galicia, Spain | 80,000 |
| Sainz | Son of Sancho (variant) | Spain | 60,000 |
| Sanz | Son of Sancho (short patronymic) | Spain | 420,000 |
| Santana | Saint Anne / toponym | Canary Islands/Spain | 250,000 |
| Saavedra | From the willow grove | Spain | 120,000 |
| Serrat | Rock/stone (Catalan origin) | Catalonia, Spain | 40,000 |
| Segovia | From Segovia (city) | Spain | 30,000 |
| Sorolla | Toponymic/family name | Valencia, Spain | 5,000 |
| Sandoval | Sandy valley or dale | Spain | 300,000 |
| Sarmiento | Vine shoot/branch | Spain | 90,000 |
| Salinas | Salt pans; saline places | Spain | 200,000 |
| Salcedo | Place of willow trees | Spain | 45,000 |
| Salazar | Old hall or manor (Basque) | Basque Country, Spain | 350,000 |
| Sosa | Possibly from a grove of willow (“sosa”) | Spain/Latin America | 180,000 |
| Solís | Of the sun / from Solís | Spain | 220,000 |
| Soler | Sunny place / tiler (Catalan origin) | Catalonia, Spain | 70,000 |
| Santamaría | Saint Mary (devotional toponym) | Spain/Latin America | 140,000 |
| San Martín | Saint Martin (devotional toponym) | Spain/Argentina | 60,000 |
| Silva | Wood, forest (Iberian/Latin origin) | Spain/Latin America | 600,000 |
| Serrano | From the mountains (serra) | Spain | 300,000 |
| Saldívar | Place with willow trees (toponymic) | Spain/Mexico | 40,000 |
| Solórzano | Toponymic (place name) | Spain/Latin America | 25,000 |
| Saiz | Probably from a given name “Saiso” | Spain | 10,000 |
| Sainz | Variant of Sainz/Sainz patronymic | Spain | 55,000 |
| Salmerón | From place with willow trees (“salmo”) | Spain | 20,000 |
| Salgado | Salty place or salt worker | Spain | 80,000 |
| Segura | Secure, safe (from Latin “securus”) | Spain | 95,000 |
| Sierra | Mountain range | Spain/Latin America | 120,000 |
| Salmerón | Salt-worker or place name variant | Spain | 18,000 |
| Seguí | From Seguí (Catalan toponym) | Catalonia, Spain | 12,000 |
| Salvador | From “savior” (devotional or occupational) | Spain | 40,000 |
| Santa Cruz | Holy cross (devotional toponym) | Spain/Latin America | 65,000 |
| Santa María | Saint Mary (devotional toponym) | Spain/Latin America | 75,000 |
Descriptions
Sánchez
One of the most widespread Spanish patronymics; common across Spain and Latin America. Notable: Pedro Sánchez (1972), Spanish Prime Minister.
Suárez
Old Iberian patronymic found in Spain and the Americas. Notable: Adolfo Suárez (1932–2014), Spanish prime minister during the transition.
Sotomayor
Galician toponymic surname common in Spain and Latin America. Notable: Sonia Sotomayor (1954), U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
Sainz
Castilian patronymic variant of Sancho; strong motorsport association. Notable: Carlos Sainz (1962), rally driver; Carlos Sainz Jr. (1994), F1 driver.
Sanz
Common in Spain, Catalonia and Latin America; variant of Sánchez. Notable: Alejandro Sanz (1968), Spanish singer-songwriter.
Santana
Toponymic and devotional surname widespread in the Caribbean and Latin America. Notable: Carlos Santana (1947), Mexican-American guitarist.
Saavedra
Historic Galician/Leonese surname; literary association. Notable: Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547–1616), author.
Serrat
Catalan surname used widely in Spanish cultural circles. Notable: Joan Manuel Serrat (1943), singer-songwriter.
Segovia
Toponymic surname from the historic Castilian city; present across Spanish-speaking world. Notable: Andrés Segovia (1893–1987), classical guitarist.
Sorolla
Valencian surname best known in art history. Notable: Joaquín Sorolla (1863–1923), Spanish painter.
Sandoval
Toledo/Extremadura origin, widespread in Latin America. Notable: Arturo Sandoval (1949), Cuban-American jazz trumpeter.
Sarmiento
Toletoe/Leonese origin; common in Argentina and Chile. Notable: Domingo F. Sarmiento (1811–1888), Argentine president and writer.
Salinas
Toponymic surname, frequent in Spain and Mexico. Notable: Carlos Salinas de Gortari (1948), former Mexican president.
Salcedo
Noble Castilian surname with colonial presence in the Americas. Notable: Juan de Salcedo (1549–1576), Spanish conquistador.
Salazar
Old Basque noble name now widespread in Latin America. Notable: Luis Salazar (1956), Venezuelan professional baseball player.
Sosa
Common in Argentina, Paraguay and Mexico; simple, widespread surname. Notable: Rubén Sosa (1966), Uruguayan footballer.
Solís
Toponymic or descriptive surname frequent in Central America and Mexico. Notable: Marco Antonio Solís (1959), Mexican musician.
Soler
Catalan-origin surname frequent in eastern Spain and Latin America. Notable: Juan Soler (1966), Argentine-Mexican actor.
Santamaría
Compound devotional surname common across Spanish-speaking countries. Notable: José Santamaría (1929), Uruguayan-Spanish footballer.
San Martín
Historic compound surname in Spain and Latin America. Notable: José de San Martín (1778–1850), Argentine liberator.
Silva
Widespread in Latin America; originally Iberian/Portuguese but common in Spanish contexts. Notable: Andrés Silva (1986), Uruguayan sprinter.
Serrano
Toponymic surname meaning “highland”; common in Spain and Latin America. Notable: José Serrano (1873–1941), Spanish composer.
Saldívar
Found in Spain and Mexico; notable modern bearer known in U.S. Spanish-language news. Notable: Yolanda Saldívar (1960), convicted in high-profile criminal case.
Solórzano
Historic Castilian surname with colonial-era bearers. Notable: Juan de Solórzano y Pereira (1575–1655), jurist and writer.
Saiz
Regional Castilian surname, found especially in northern Spain. Notable: Miguel Saiz (1949–2019), Argentine politician.
Sainz
Variant spelling related to Sanz/Sánchez; seen in Spain and Latin America. Notable: Carlos Sainz (1962), rally champion.
Salmerón
Regional Castilian surname with colonial presence in Latin America. Notable: (Often found among regional politicians and artists).
Salgado
Toponymic/occupational surname widespread in Spain and Latin America. Notable: Francisco Salgado (various public figures across Latin America).
Segura
Common Spanish surname, especially in Andalusia and Madrid. Notable: Teresa Segura (widely used name among politicians and artists).
Sierra
Toponymic surname indicating mountainous origin; common in many countries. Notable: Luis Sierra (name borne by athletes and public figures).
Salmerón
Historic Castilian surname found in Spain and former colonies. Notable: (Appears in regional politics and culture).
Seguí
Catalan-rooted surname used in Spain and the Americas. Notable: (Used by artists and local politicians).
Salvador
Used as both surname and given name; present in Spain and Latin America. Notable: (Various cultural figures and politicians).
Santa Cruz
Compound devotional toponym common as surname in the Americas. Notable: (Several political and cultural figures).
Santa María
Often appears as compound surname; frequent in Caribbean and Latin America. Notable: (Widespread across arts and politics).