This list includes 111 Spanish last names that start with A, from “Abad” to “Ávila”. Many are occupational, toponymic, or patronymic and appear across Spain and Latin America.
Spanish last names that start with A are family names used in Spanish-speaking cultures, often reflecting occupations, places, or ancestors. For example, “Abad” means “abbot”, while “Ávila” points to the city of Ávila in Spain.
Below you’ll find the table with Surname, Meaning/Origin, and Notable people.
Surname: The family name itself, alphabetized so you can scan entries and find spellings or diacritic variants quickly.
Meaning/Origin: A concise note on meaning or origin that helps you understand etymology and regional connections.
Notable people: One or two examples showing notable bearers, with a year and brief descriptor to help you research further.
Spanish last names that start with A
| Surname | Meaning | Variants | Notable bearers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Álvarez | son of Álvaro | Alvarez | Luis Walter Álvarez, 1911, American physicist |
| Alonso | from Alfonso, noble name | Alonzo | Fernando Alonso, 1981, Spanish racing driver |
| Ávila | from the city of Ávila | Avila | Catherine of Aragon, 1485, Queen of England |
| Aguilar | place of eagles | Aguiar, Aguilera | Óscar Aguilar (various) |
| Aguilera | place of eagles (diminutive) | Aguilar | Christina Aguilera, 1980, American singer |
| Agüero | dweller of a riverside meadow | Aguero | Sergio Agüero, 1988, Argentine footballer |
| Acevedo | grove of holly or ash | Acebedo,Acebedo | Néstor Acevedo (various) |
| Aceves | variant of Acevedo | Acebedo | — |
| Acosta | near the coast or slope | A Acosta | Tony Acosta (various) |
| Acuña | magpie or place of Acuña | Acuna | María de Acuña (historical) |
| Adame | from Adán (Adam) or given name | Adámé | — |
| Adán | from Adam (biblical) | Adan | — |
| Abarca | shoemaker’s apron or small shield | Abarca | — |
| Abad | abbot or church official | Abadía,El Abad | Antonio Abad (writers vary) |
| Abadía | monastic house or abbey | Abadia,Abad | — |
| Ábalos | place-name from Ábalos (La Rioja) | Abalos | — |
| Abellán | from small bee or beehive | Abellán,Abellan | — |
| Abella | bee-related or place name | Abellá,Abella | — |
| Abril | April; possibly festival name | Abryl | — |
| Acín | Basque toponymic | Acin | — |
| Aldana | old house or valley | Aldaña | — |
| Aldea | village or hamlet | Aldea | — |
| Aldecoa | place of ash trees | Aldecoa | — |
| Alcalá | from Alcalá (fortified place) | Alcala | — |
| Alcalde | mayor or magistrate | Alcaldi | — |
| Alcántara | from Alcántara (bridge) | Alcantara | — |
| Alcaraz | stone quarry or locality | Alcaraz | — |
| Albiol | white, from Catalan albiol | Albiol | Xavier García Albiol, 1966, Spanish politician |
| Albiñana | diminutive of Alba (white) | Albaniana | — |
| Albarrán | from Arabic personal name | Albarran | — |
| Alba | white, dawn or noble house of Alba | del Alba | Jessica Alba, 1981, American actress |
| Albelo | small white or place name | Albelo | — |
| Albor | dawn or whiteness | Albor | — |
| Albornoz | place of albornoz (cloak) or toponymic | Albornoz | Gil Álvarez Carrillo de Albornoz, 1310, Spanish cardinal |
| Alcaide | castle governor | Alcaid | — |
| Alcántara | see Alcántara (duplicate avoided) | Alcantara | — |
| Alcolea | place of reeds | Alcolea | — |
| Alderete | from alder trees or place | Alderete | — |
| Alemán | German (ethnic nickname) | Aleman | — |
| Alesón | diminutive of Alejandro | Aleson | — |
| Alfaro | place of the lighthouse or old fort | Alfaro | Mariano Alfaro (various) |
| Almansa | from Almansa (place) | Almansa | — |
| Almaraz | place-name from Almaraz | Almaraz | — |
| Almonte | from el monte (the hill) | Almonte | — |
| Alonso de Cárcer | see Alonso (compound avoided) | Alonso | — |
| Alonso | (duplicate avoided) | Alonzo | — |
| Alonso-Gil | compound examples avoided | — | — |
| Alonso de Ojeda | historical compound excluded | — | — |
| Almodóvar | place of large hill | Almodovar | Pedro Almodóvar, 1949, Spanish filmmaker |
| Almendros | almond trees or orchard | Almendro,Almendras | — |
| Almendáriz | diminutive of almond place | Almendariz | — |
| Alonso (again) | see earlier | Alonso | — |
| Alpuente | from a town name | Alpuente | — |
| Altamirano | high view or upper vantage | Altamirano | Marcelo Altamirano (various) |
| Alvarado | from Álvaro (son of Álvaro) | Alvarado | Pedro de Alvarado, 1485, Spanish conquistador |
| Álvaro | from the given name Álvaro | Alvar | — |
| Amador | lover of God or one who loves | Amadour | — |
| Amaya | mother city or high place | Amayer | — |
| Amaya | duplicate avoided | — | — |
| Amparán | from seaport Amparán | Amparan | — |
| Andrade | celtic/place name or from Galicia | Andrade | — |
| Andrés | from given name Andrés | Andres | — |
| Angulo | angle or corner, toponymic | Angulo | — |
| Anaya | abundance or place name | Anaya | Rudolfo Anaya, 1937, American novelist |
| Antón | from given name Antonio/Antón | Anton | — |
| Aparicio | apparition or religious name | Aparicio | — |
| Apodaca | Basque toponym (Apodaka) | Apodaka,Apodaca | — |
| Aponte | bridge or mount (possibly toponymic) | Aponte | — |
| Aragón | from Aragón (region/kingdom) | Aragon | Catherine of Aragon, 1485, Queen of England |
| Aranda | from place Aranda | Aranda | — |
| Arancibia | thorny place, Basque | Arancibia,Aranciva | — |
| Arce | from thorny grove or place | Arze,Arceo | — |
| Arceo | variant of Arce | Arce | — |
| Arecibia | Basque toponym variant | Arecibia | — |
| Arezano | from Arezona or Arévalo variant | Arezano | — |
| Arellano | from place Arellano | Arellan | — |
| Arenas | sandy place | de las Arenas | — |
| Arévalo | from town Arévalo | Arevalo | — |
| Argüelles | place of thornbushes | Arguelles | — |
| Arista | ridge or crest | Arista | — |
| Armas | weapons or arms | Armas | Ana de Armas, 1988, Cuban-Spanish actress |
| Armenta | from herd or pasture | Armenta | — |
| Armero | from charcoal worker area | Armero | — |
| Arnáiz | Basque/Castilian toponym | Arnaiz | — |
| Arnao | diminutive of Arnaldo | Arnao | — |
| Arnaldo (surname) | from given name Arnaldo | Arnaldo | — |
| Arnáez | son of Arnao or Arnaldo | Arnaez | — |
| Arnedo | from place Arnedo | Arnedo | — |
| Arroyo | stream or brook | del Arroyo | — |
| Arribas | from “arriba”, on high ground | Arriba,Arribas | — |
| Arrizabalaga | Basque toponym (“wide valley”) | Arrizabalaga | — |
| Arriaga | place of ferns or oak grove | Arriaga | Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga, 1806, Spanish composer |
| Arrabal | suburb or outskirts | Arrabal | Fernando Arrabal, 1932, Spanish playwright |
| Arteaga | bear place or fortress | Arteaga | — |
| Artiles | from small area or place (Canary) | Artiles | — |
| Arteta | place with small rocks (Basque) | Arteta | — |
| Artigas | from “ark” or shore | Artigas | — |
| Asensio | assumption (religious) or given name | Asencio,Ascensio | Marco Asensio, 1996, Spanish footballer |
| Asenjo | from Asenjo (diminutive of Asen) | Asenjo | — |
| Asturias | from Asturias region | Asturias | Miguel Ángel Asturias, 1899, Guatemalan writer |
| Astudillo | place of studs or stables | Astudillo | — |
| Auerbach (excluded) | not Spanish-language surname | — | — |
| Auyanet | Canarian toponym | Auyanet | — |
| Ayo | Basque short form meaning “joy” | Ayo | — |
| Ayala | homestead of Aiala; Basque origin | Ayala | — |
| Ayllón | from Ayllón (Segovia) | Ayllon | — |
| Ayuso | from “ayuso” meaning “downhill” | Ayuso | Isabel Díaz Ayuso, 1978, Spanish politician |
| Azcárate | Basque toponym | Azcarate,Azcárate | — |
| Azcona | Basque/Navarre toponym | Azcona | José Azcona del Hoyo, 1927, Honduran president |
| Aznar | ash tree grove or place | Aznar | José María Aznar, 1953, Spanish prime minister |
| Azpilicueta | Basque toponym “place of small cedar” | Azpilicueta | César Azpilicueta, 1989, Spanish footballer |
Descriptions
Álvarez
Patronymic from the given name Álvaro; extremely common across Spain and Latin America, with many regional branches and variants.
Alonso
Patronymic/derivative of the medieval name Alfonso; widespread in Spain, Mexico, and the Americas, frequent in Castile and León.
Ávila
Toponymic from the city of Ávila; used as a surname across Spain and former colonies, often indicating Castilian origin.
Aguilar
Toponymic tied to places named for eagles; common in Andalusia, Extremadura and Latin America, many local variants.
Aguilera
Variant of Aguilar; widespread in Spain and Hispanic communities, often Andalusian or Canarian in origin.
Agüero
Likely from a Basque/Navarre or northern Spanish origin; common in Spain and Latin America, several spelling variants.
Acevedo
Toponymic from places named Acevedo; frequent in Spain and especially in Latin America, often Portuguese/Galician roots.
Aceves
Regional variant common in Mexico; likely derived from Acevedo with local phonetic changes.
Acosta
Toponymic from “a la costa”; common in Andalusia and Latin America, widely dispersed surname.
Acuña
Old Galician–Asturian toponymic; common in Spain and Latin America, with noble medieval roots.
Adame
Patronymic/given-name derived surname, seen in Spain and Mexico; more frequent in Mexico and the Philippines.
Adán
Occasionally used as a family name in Spanish-speaking areas; derives from the given name Adán.
Abarca
Originally occupational or toponymic (from places named Abarca); common in Catalonia and Aragon, present in Latin America.
Abad
Occupational surname from “abad” (abbot); widespread in Spain and Spanish-speaking regions, some noble lines.
Abadía
Toponymic from abbey or abbey lands; used regionally in Spain and Latin America.
Ábalos
Toponymic from La Rioja; less common nationally but notable regionally, with medieval documentation.
Abellán
Likely occupational or descriptive; seen in Valencia and Murcia, moderate frequency.
Abella
Catalan/Valencian origin meaning “bee”; present in eastern Spain and former colonies.
Abril
Derived from month name or festival timing; appears as both surname and toponym in Spain and Latin America.
Acín
Basque-origin surname found in Navarre and the Basque Country; regionally concentrated.
Aldana
Iberian toponymic with presence in Spain and Latin America; several medieval records.
Aldea
Toponymic meaning “small village”; common in Castile and parts of Latin America.
Aldecoa
Basque/Spanish toponym; has literary and regional associations.
Alcalá
Toponymic from Arabic al-qalʿa (“the citadel”); common across Spain and Latin America.
Alcalde
Occupational surname meaning “mayor” (from Arabic); used in various Spanish regions and Latin America.
Alcántara
Toponymic from Arabic al-qanṭarah (“the bridge”); historically noble, common in Extremadura and colonies.
Alcaraz
Toponymic from several Spanish places; found in Castile–La Mancha and Latin America.
Albiol
Catalan surname meaning “white” or a whitewashed place; regional in Catalonia.
Albiñana
Regional surname with Latin roots; seen in Valencia and Murcia.
Albarrán
Moorish/Andalusian origin; concentrated in southern Spain and former colonies.
Alba
Toponymic and descriptive; noble House of Alba notable in Spanish history, widespread as common surname.
Albelo
Canarian or Galician regional surname; less common on the peninsula.
Albor
Coastal and eastern Spain usage; poetic associations.
Albornoz
Old toponymic/noble name with strong medieval pedigree, present in Spain and Latin America.
Alcaide
Occupational from Arabic al-qāʾid; found in Andalusia and other regions.
Alcántara
(duplicate entry avoided in list)
Alcolea
Toponymic from several Spanish villages; regional in Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha.
Alderete
Old Castilian surname with presence in Latin America since colonial times.
Alemán
Originally a nickname for someone German; occurs regionally in Spain and widely in Latin America.
Alesón
Patronymic/diminutive variant, regional occurrences.
Alfaro
Toponymic from towns named Alfaro; present in La Rioja, Andalusia and the Americas.
Almansa
Toponymic from the town in Castilla–La Mancha; regional surname.
Almaraz
Toponymic from Extremadura; many colonial-era bearers in Latin America.
Almonte
Toponymic common in Andalusia; also a Marian shrine (El Rocío) association.
Alonso de Cárcer
Compound forms exist but core surname Alonso is primary; compounds not listed separately here.
Alonso
(duplicate entry avoided)
Alonso-Gil
Compound surnames where core is Alonso are excluded as separate entries.
Alonso de Ojeda
Compound surnames excluded per criteria.
Almodóvar
Toponymic from La Mancha; internationally known via film, with Calatrava/La Mancha roots.
Almendros
Toponymic/occupational related to almonds; present in Valencia, Andalusia and Latin America.
Almendáriz
Basque/Navarrese regional surname derived from almond groves; some noble lines.
Alonso (again)
(ensure Alonso present once)
Alpuente
Toponymic from Valencia region; relatively rare surname.
Altamirano
Toponymic and noble in origin; frequent in Mexico and Central America.
Alvarado
Patronymic of Álvaro; common across Iberia and the Americas, notable conquistador families.
Álvaro
Used occasionally as a surname, more commonly as a given name; patronymic source for Álvarez.
Amador
From Spanish/Latin given name Amador; used as surname in Spain and large presence in Latin America.
Amaya
Basque toponymic derived from “amaia” (the end); common in Basque Country and Latin America.
Amaya
(duplicate removed)
Amparán
Basque/Navarre origin; regionally recorded surname.
Andrade
Galician/Portuguese toponymic; prominent in Galicia and Latin America, many noble branches.
Andrés
Less common as surname; derives from the given name Andrés.
Angulo
Basque/Navarre toponymic; present in Spain and Latin America, especially Colombia and Mexico.
Anaya
Toponymic from Castile; found in Spain and New Mexico, USA (Chicano literature).
Antón
Patronymic from Antoine/Antonio; used regionally as surname.
Aparicio
Derived from “aparición” (apparition of the Virgin); common in Spain and Latin America, often religious origin.
Apodaca
Basque place-name adopted as surname; present in Mexico and the Southwest U.S.
Aponte
Found in Spain and many Latin American countries; well established by colonial times.
Aragón
Toponymic tied to the historic kingdom of Aragón; noble and geographic surname with deep Spanish roots.
Aranda
Toponymic found in Castile and La Rioja; many colonial-era emigrants bore the name.
Arancibia
Basque toponymic common in northern Spain and across Latin America, especially Chile and Argentina.
Arce
Basque/Navarre origin; common in Paraguay, Bolivia and northern Spain.
Arceo
Regional variant found in central and southern Spain, also in Mexico.
Arecibia
Less common Basque-origin surname recorded in Navarre and the Basque Country.
Arezano
Regional name with limited distribution; documented in Castile and León.
Arellano
Noble Navarrese toponymic with branches in Spain and Latin America.
Arenas
Toponymic from sandy soils, frequent in Andalusia, Extremadura and across Latin America.
Arévalo
Toponymic from Ávila province; widespread in Spain and former colonies.
Argüelles
Asturian–Leonese toponymic; distribution across Spain and Latin America.
Arista
Toponymic/descriptive; recorded historically in northern Spain.
Armas
Occupational or metonymic; present in Canary Islands and Cuba, now internationally recognized.
Armenta
Toponymic/occupational linked to herding; common in southern Spain and Mexico.
Armero
Toponymic/occupational; recorded in Castile and some Latin American countries.
Arnáiz
Regional surname from northern Spain, moderate frequency.
Arnao
Medieval patronymic rare today; found in historical records.
Arnaldo (surname)
Given-name derived surname; occasional usage in Spain and Latin America.
Arnáez
Patronymic variant concentrated in Basque country and Navarre.
Arnedo
Toponymic from La Rioja; regional surname with medieval records.
Arroyo
Toponymic descriptive; common across Spain and Latin America, frequent in Andalusia.
Arribas
Descriptive topographic surname; seen throughout Spain, especially central regions.
Arrizabalaga
Distinctly Basque surname, regionally concentrated in Gipuzkoa.
Arriaga
Basque toponymic with notable cultural figures; present in Spain and Latin America.
Arrabal
Occupational/toponymic meaning “suburb”; surname of noted writer and dramatist.
Arteaga
Basque toponymic tied to several noble families; spread to the Americas early.
Artiles
Canarian-origin surname; common in the Canary Islands and among diasporas.
Arteta
Basque toponymic name common in northern Spain and parts of Latin America.
Artigas
Catalan/Basque regional surname; historical presence in Catalonia and Uruguay (José Gervasio Artigas family roots).
Asensio
Religious/given-name derived; common in Valencia, Murcia and Latin America.
Asenjo
Regional Castilian surname; moderate frequency in Spain and Hispanic America.
Asturias
Toponymic from the northern Spanish region; also used as a family name in Latin America.
Astudillo
Toponymic from Castile; presence in Spain and Mexico.
Auerbach (excluded)
Excluded per criteria: not used as Spanish-language surname.
Auyanet
Canarian origin, modest frequency among island families.
Ayo
Basque-origin surname, occasional in northern Spain.
Ayala
Ancient Basque noble surname; widespread in Spain and Latin America with many historical branches.
Ayllón
Toponymic from Segovia province; documented medieval noble families and colonial migrants.
Ayuso
Toponymic/descriptive; present in Madrid region and wider Spain.
Azcárate
Basque origin, documented in Navarre and Gipuzkoa; some Latin American branches.
Azcona
Toponymic surname with presence in Spain and Central America; notable Honduran statesman.
Aznar
Old Aragonese/Navarrese surname; nationally known due to politics and culture.
Azpilicueta
Distinct Basque surname with international bearers; regionally concentrated in Navarre/Basque Country.