This list includes 31 Spanish last names that start with W, from “Wachtel” to “Wulff”. Many are uncommon in Spanish-speaking countries and reflect foreign roots, useful for genealogy, character naming, and cultural research.

Spanish last names that start with W are family names beginning with the letter W, often showing foreign or regional origins. For example, “Wachtel” reflects Germanic roots and appears in some Latin American records after 19th-century immigration.

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

Surname: The family name itself, listed alphabetically so you can scan for specific spellings quickly and confidently.

Meaning/Origin: A brief one-line explanation of the name’s language, root, or literal meaning to guide your research.

Notable people: One or two examples of individuals with the surname, including a short descriptor and birth year when available.

Spanish last names that start with W

Surname Variant(s) Country/Region Meaning/Origin Description
Walsh Walshe Argentina Irish; “Welshman” Common Irish-origin surname in Argentina; notable bearer Rodolfo Walsh (writer). Linked to 19th–20th century Irish immigration and journalism.
Wang Wáng, Wangh Peru Chinese surname, “king” (王) Very common among Sino-Peruvian families; found in commerce and communities across Lima and northern Peru.
Wong Wong Peru Cantonese form of Huang, “yellow” Prominent in Chinese-Peruvian and Caribbean-Chinese communities; associated with merchants and entrepreneurs.
Wu Wú, Wu Peru Chinese surname with various clan origins Present among Chinese diaspora in Latin America, especially Peru and Panama; used by immigrant families.
Wagner Wagner Chile German occupational name, “wagon-maker” Frequent among German-descended families in southern Chile and Argentina; reflects 19th-century German colonization.
Weber Weber Argentina German occupational name, “weaver” Common in German-Argentine communities; found in Buenos Aires and the Pampas.
Wolf Wolf Argentina Germanic personal name, “wolf” Appears among German and Jewish immigrants; used by families in Buenos Aires and Córdoba.
Wolff Wolff Chile Variant of Wolf, Germanic “wolf” Found among German-descended families in Chile and southern South America.
Wert Wert Spain Possibly Germanic toponymic Rare but documented in Spain; notable bearer José Ignacio Wert (Spanish politician).
Weinstein Weinstein Argentina German/Yiddish, “wine stone” Jewish-immigrant surname common in Buenos Aires; present among cultural and professional figures.
Weinberg Weinberg Argentina German/Yiddish, “vine mountain” Found among Ashkenazi families in Argentina; linked to 20th-century immigration.
Waintraub Wajntraub, Waintraub Argentina Yiddish, “vineyard” Variant spellings appear in Argentina’s Jewish communities; associated with cultural and editorial figures.
Waisman Waisman Argentina Possibly Yiddish toponymic Common Jewish-Argentine surname; present in medicine, academia, and commerce.
Wachtel Wachtel Argentina German/Yiddish, “quail” Jewish immigrant surname found in Buenos Aires and provinces; linked to mid-20th century arrivals.
Wexler Wexler Argentina Yiddish occupational/locational name Present among Argentine Jewish families; appears in arts and business.
Winograd Winograd Argentina Slavic/Yiddish, “vineyard” Eastern European Jewish origin; documented among Argentine intellectuals and professionals.
Werner Werner Chile Germanic personal name/surname Documented among German-descended Chilean families and professionals.
Witt Witt Uruguay Germanic origin, diminutive or toponymic Found among German-descended families in Uruguay and Argentina.
Wulff Wulff Chile German surname variant Present in Chilean records among families of German origin.
Wasserman Wasserman Argentina German/Yiddish, “water-man” Jewish-immigrant surname appearing in Argentine registries; known in professional circles.
Waldman Waldman, Waldmann Argentina German/Yiddish, “forest-man” Documented among Jewish and German-descendant families in Argentina.
Wallace Wallace Cuba Anglo-Scottish origin Found as a surname in Caribbean Spanish-speaking countries; reflects 19th–20th century British connections.
Walter Walter Mexico Germanic personal name used as surname Present in Mexican registries, often of immigrant or mixed origin.
Wilson Wilson Puerto Rico Anglo patronymic, “son of Will” Appears in Caribbean Spanish-speaking contexts, often due to British or American influence.
Williams Williams Cuba Welsh/English patronymic Found in Caribbean and Latin American registries; sometimes adopted as part of English-language family lines.
Walsham Walsham Argentina English toponymic surname Rare but attested among immigrant families in Argentina.
Waxman Waxman Argentina Yiddish occupational name Documented in Argentine Jewish communities; seen in commerce and cultural life.
Wolman Wolman Argentina Variant of Wolff/Wolf, Germanic Present among immigrant families of German or Jewish origin.
Wolinski Wolinski Argentina Slavic-Jewish origin Documented in Argentina among Eastern European immigrant families.
Wojcik Wójcik, Wojcik Argentina Polish, from “little mayor” or leader Appears among Polish-Argentine communities; preserved original W initial.
Wrona Wrona Argentina Polish, “crow” Found among Polish immigrants and descendants in Argentina; retains Polish spelling.

Descriptions

Walsh
Wang
Wong
Wu
Wagner
Weber
Wolf
Wolff
Wert
Weinstein
Weinberg
Waintraub
Waisman
Wachtel
Wexler
Winograd
Werner
Witt
Wulff
Wasserman
Waldman
Wallace
Walter
Wilson
Williams
Walsham
Waxman
Wolman
Wolinski
Wojcik
Wrona
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