This list includes 31 Spanish last names that start with P, from “Pacheco” to “Pérez”. They range from common Iberian surnames to regional and historical variants used across Spanish-speaking countries. Use this list for genealogy, naming characters, choosing family names, or school research.

Spanish last names that start with P are family names beginning with the letter P in Spanish-speaking cultures. Many derive from place names, occupations, or patronymics, such as Pérez, a common medieval patronymic.

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

Surname: The family name itself, listed alphabetically so you find exact spellings and common variants easily.

Meaning/Origin: Short one-line meaning or origin notes help you understand linguistic roots and geographic connections quickly.

Notable people: One or two notable persons give context and help you connect a surname to public figures.

Spanish last names that start with P

Surname Meaning Origin Notable bearer(s) Description
Pérez son of Pedro Iberian (Castile); widespread Latin America Sergio Pérez (1990–), Mexican Formula 1 driver The single most common Spanish surname; patronymic of Pedro. Extremely widespread across Spain and Hispanic America with many bearers in politics, arts and sports.
Pacheco from medieval personal name Pacheco Iberian (Galicia/Portugal); Spain, Latin America Francisco Pacheco (1564–1644), Spanish painter and writer Old aristocratic and mercantile surname of medieval origin, common in Spain and former colonies; variant forms and noble branches documented.
Paredes from “pared” (wall) Castile/Spain; also Latin America Cecilia Paredes (1950–), Peruvian visual artist Toponymic surname for someone living by walls or fortifications; well distributed in Spain and Hispanic America.
Parra vine or trellis Aragón/Catalonia; Spain and Latin America Violeta Parra (1917–1967), Chilean folklorist and artist A frequent surname linked to viticultural areas; simple, evocative and common across Hispanic countries.
Paz peace Spain; broadly Latin America Octavio Paz (1914–1998), Mexican poet and Nobel laureate Short, meaningful surname; used in Spain and many Latin American countries and sometimes combined in compound family names.
Peña rock, crag Northern/Central Spain; widespread in Americas Enrique Peña Nieto (1966–), former president of Mexico Topographic surname referring to a rocky place; common in Spain and Latin America with many regional branches.
Pizarro stony or slate place Extremadura/Castile, Spain Francisco Pizarro (c.1478–1541), conquistador Historic surname tied to the conquest era; well documented from Extremadura and with notable conquistador bearers.
Picasso (likely) Italian/Catalan origin; uncertain Catalonia (Italian roots), Spain Pablo Picasso (1881–1973), painter Famously associated with the artist Pablo Picasso; original family roots trace to Italy and Catalonia, now a globally recognized Hispanic surname.
Piñera place of pines; pine grove Galicia/Catalonia; used in Chile Sebastián Piñera (1949–), Chilean president Toponymic surname meaning “pine grove.” Prominent in northern Spain and important in Chilean public life.
Piñeiro Galician “pine grove” Galicia (Spain); Galician diaspora Manuel Piñeiro Losada (1933–1998), Cuban official Galician toponymic surname (Piñeiro ~ pine grove); common in Galicia and among Galician emigrant communities.
Pantoja from place name Pantoja (Toledo) Toledo region, Spain Isabel Pantoja (1956–), Spanish singer Toponymic surname from a Toledo locality; well known in Spain and Spanish-speaking entertainment circles.
Perón uncertain (Basque/Spanish roots) Argentina (Spanish/Basque roots) Juan Domingo Perón (1895–1974), Argentine president Strongly associated with Argentine politics; surname of Basque or northern-Spain provenance, widely documented in registries.
Perales place of pear trees Castile/Spain; also Latin America José Luis Perales (1945–), Spanish singer-songwriter Toponymic surname referring to pear orchards; common in Spain with many emigrant branches.
Padilla from Padilla (place name) Castile/Spain José Padilla (1889–1960), Spanish composer Ancient noble and toponymic surname with medieval documentation; present across Spanish history and the Americas.
Palacios from palaces or grand houses Castile/Spain Antonio Palacios (1874–1945), Spanish architect Plural toponymic surname suggesting association with palatial sites; widely spread and frequent in Spanish-speaking countries.
Palma palm tree; from La Palma island Spain (Canaries) and Latin America Ricardo Palma (1833–1919), Peruvian author Surname tied to the palm tree or island names; common in the Canaries and Latin America, with literary and political bearers.
Pujol small hill (Catalan) Catalonia, Spain Jordi Pujol (1930–), Catalan politician Catalan surname with deep regional roots; notable in Catalan civic and political life.
Puig hill (Catalan) Catalonia/Valencian Country, Spain Josep Puig i Cadafalch (1867–1956), Catalan architect A widespread Catalan surname meaning “hill”; historically attached to notable architects, politicians and cultural figures.
Puente bridge Spain; Puerto Rico and Latin America Tito Puente (1923–2000), Puerto Rican-American musician Topographic/occupational surname; crosses Iberian and Caribbean Spanish-language communities and appears often in arts and music.
Pardo brown or tawny Spain; Latin America José Pardo y Barreda (1864–1947), Peruvian president Descriptive surname from color; documented in Spanish registries and widespread in Hispanic America.
Prado meadow Castile/Spain; Latin America Manuel Prado Ugarteche (1889–1967), Peruvian president Toponymic surname meaning “meadow”; tied to noble houses and seen in political history of Spanish America.
Prieto dark, swarthy Northern/central Spain; Latin America Claudio Prieto (1934–2015), Spanish composer Common descriptive surname meaning “dark” or “compact”; well represented in Spanish cultural life.
Pereda from “peral” (pear tree) or place name Cantabria/Castile, Spain José María de Pereda (1833–1906), Spanish novelist Regional surname with strong Cantabrian presence; literary and landholding associations in 19th-century Spain.
Pineda pine grove Catalonia/Aragon; Spain and Americas Gonzalo Pineda (1982–), Mexican footballer and coach Toponymic surname widely distributed; many spelled Pineda across Spain and Latin America with sports and political figures.
Pizarro (duplicate avoided — see above)
Peñalosa stony hill; “big rock” Spain; Colombia and Central America Hernán Peñalosa (1967–), Colombian footballer Regional surname often found in Colombia and Central America; associated with athletes and local elites.
Pastrana from place Pastrana Castile/Spain; Colombia Andrés Pastrana Arango (1954–), Colombian president Toponymic surname from Guadalajara province; notably active in Colombian politics.
Patiño from place or patronymic Patiño Galicia/Spain; Latin America Carlos Patiño (1600–1675), Spanish composer Galician-sounding surname widely present in Spanish and Latin American records; noble and mercantile branches recorded.
Plaza town square, plaza Spain and Latin America Daniel Plaza (1966–), Spanish Olympic racewalker Short, toponymic surname; appears across Hispanic countries, sometimes linked to urban centers.
Ponce from place name or personal name Andalusia/Castile, Spain; Caribbean Juan Ponce de León (1474–1521), explorer Historic surname tied to nobility and early colonial leaders; common in Puerto Rico and parts of Spain.
Pinedo diminutive of pino (pine) Spain; Latin America Federico Pinedo (1955–), Argentine politician Variant of pine-related toponymics; documented in registries and used by notable political families.

Descriptions

Pérez
Pacheco
Paredes
Parra
Paz
Peña
Pizarro
Picasso
Piñera
Piñeiro
Pantoja
Perón
Perales
Padilla
Palacios
Palma
Pujol
Puig
Puente
Pardo
Prado
Prieto
Pereda
Pineda
Pizarro
Peñalosa
Pastrana
Patiño
Plaza
Ponce
Pinedo
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