100+ Colombian Last Names or Surnames with Meanings

Colombia is a transcontinental nation that mainly lies in South America, with a small part extending into North America. Ranked among the world’s top seventeen megadiverse nations, the country is home to a rich mix of cultures shaped by Indigenous Americans, Europeans, and Africans, and it also has the second-largest Spanish-speaking population in South America.

Along with cultural diversity, Colombia boasts remarkable biodiversity, featuring the Amazon rainforest, grasslands, highlands, and deserts, and it is the only South American country with coastlines on both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. With such depth and variety, Colombian last names and Colombian surnames are equally fascinating and meaningful. Choosing the right surname can sometimes be challenging, whether for personal interest or a character, so we have curated a list of some of the most distinctive and beautiful surnames from Colombian families to make your search easier.

Common Colombian Last Names

Common Colombian last names often called columbian surnames reflect a rich mix of Spanish and indigenous heritage shaped over centuries. These surnames offer a glimpse into Colombia’s deep ancestral roots and traditions.

1. Acevedo – It is one of the rare Colombian surnames. Belonging to Spain, this name means ‘an orchard of Hollywood’ or ‘a groove of Hollywood.

2. Acosta – With multiple origins, this surname holds multiple meanings. For example, in Spanish, the name of a town means dweller on the seacoast or one who belongs to Acosta. In Latin, it means on the coast. In Portuguese, it is the name of a village near Lugo.

3. Agudelo – This surname has Galician origin. It has an exquisite meaning, ‘ peak.’ The peak here means a family that used to live in the mountains or at an elevation.

4. Alvarez – This surname is of Old German origin. It means ‘son of Alvaro’. It is one of the most searched surnames in Colombia.

5. Arango – Dedicated to the beautiful valleys of Spain, this name means ‘of the valley.’

6. Arias – Although this last name belongs to Spain, globalization pushed people belonging to this community to different countries. Arias means ‘farmer’ and is sometimes used as a first name.

7. Avila – With Spanish roots, this surname is as wanted as its meaning. It means ‘one who is awaited’ or ‘desired.’

8. Cano – It is a Portuguese and Spanish origin name. IT means ‘gray or white-haired.’

9. Cardona – It belongs to the Catalan region. You can call it a regional last name as it means ‘someone who lives in Cardino.’ 

10. Carrillo – This one’s a unique surname to have. It means ‘someone with a prominent or unusual cheek’ In Latin, it is derived from “carro,” which means a small cart having two wheels.

11. Castillo – This name comes from Spain, and it means ‘castle.’ It’s a common last name in Latin America.

12. Castro – Having Iberian roots, this last name means ‘castle’ or ‘fort.’ It is taken from a famous Cuban president and revolutionary, Fidel Castro.

13. Correa -It is a Spanish name meaning leather or a traditional leather belt.

14. Cortes –  This surname belongs to Spain and has multiple meanings like ‘one who came from court or town,’ ‘people accompanying the king or belongs to the court,’ or ‘the polite, courteous man.’ It is also the name of many places in Spain.

15. Cruz – Belonging to Iberia, this name means ‘cross.’

16. Diaz – It is a widely prevalent surname in Colombia. It originates from Spain and means ‘son of Diego’. 

17. Escobar – This surname belongs to Spain and means a place where broom grows’ or ‘dweller near broom grew’ or ‘place of dense undergrowth.

18. Garcia – It has both Portuguese and Spanish roots. It is a popular last name and means ‘rule of the spear’. It also means descendant of Garcia.

19. Hernandez – It is a Spanish surname that means ‘son of Hernando.’ The word Hernando in itself means ‘venture’ or ‘journey.’

20. Herrera – It is a Spanish origin surname that means ‘ironsmith’ and is quite a popular surname in Colombia.

21. Lopez – A Spanish family name yet very commonly picked up in Colombia. It means ‘the son of Lupe of Lope(wolf).

22. Perez – It means ‘son of Pero.’

23. Rodriguez – It is a Spanish origin name but is very famous in Colombia. It means ‘son of Rodrigo’. 

24. Ruiz – It is a Spanish surname that means ‘the son of Ruy.’ It is also a pet form of Rodrigo, a famous ruler.

25. Sanchez – It’s a Spanish-origin family name that means ‘sacred.’ Isn’t it a beautiful surname?

26. Vargas – It is believed to have two origins. First, it could have originated from Celtic ‘barica’, which means ‘a mount or hill’ or ‘steepest part of a hill.’ Second, it might have come from the Celtic ‘Barga’ region, meaning a small cottage or hut.’ 

Popular Colombian Surnames

Popular Colombian family names reflect deep heritage, regional history, and rich cultural traditions passed through generations.

1. Beltran – This name is generally given to healers. It is a German and Spanish origin name that means ‘bright raven.’

2. Cabrera – It means ‘one who takes care of a goat herd.’ It is derived from the Latin word ‘caprarius,’ which means goat and defines a person who takes care of goats. It is also a name of a town in the northeast Dominican Republic.

3. Carvajal- It is a quirky surname that belongs to Spain and means ‘someone living near an oak orchard’.

4. Castano – A Galician and Spanish origin surname that means ‘chestnut tree.’ It is a popular Colombian surname.

5. Contreras – A quirky one with the meaning ‘someone from proximity’.

6. Da Silva – Belonging to Portuguese origin, this surname means ‘of the wood.’ Although in Latin, it means ‘thicket’ or ‘a wood.’

7. Dos Santos – The word Santos means ‘All Saints’. This surname was an abbreviation for ‘all saints’ given to people born on 1st November. Christians celebrate this day as the day of All Saints.

8. Estrada – Next in the Colombian surnames list comes Estrada, who is of Spanish origin. It means ‘one who came from a paved road (Estrada).’ It also means ‘dweller near a paved road.’ 

9. Fernandez – This is one of the most common Colombian last names. This surname belongs to Spain and means ‘son of Fernandez’. 

10. Florez – Derived from Spain, this name comes from the word ‘Froila,’ and it means ‘master’.

11. Fuentes – Spanish origin means ‘one who came from a fountain or a spring.’ It is also the name of many places in Spain and means ‘dweller near a spring’.

12. Garzon – It is a Spanish origin last name that means ‘boy.’ 

13. Guerrero – This surname finds its origin in Spain and means ‘fighter’ or ‘warrior.’

14. Guzman – It is a Visigothic-Spanish surname that belongs to Visigoth and means ‘good man’.

15. Jaramillo – With Spanish origin, it means ‘mustard farmer’.

16. Jimenez – This last name means ‘son of Jimeno with Spanish and Iberian origin.’

17. Medina – A Spanish surname that means ‘city.’

18. Mendoza – With Spanish roots, this last name means ‘cold mountain.’ A beautiful last name to have!

19. Molina – In Spanish, there is a word called ‘moler,’ and in Latin, there is a word called ‘molre.’ Both these words mean ‘to grind.’ Molina is derived from these two words. It symbolizes ‘a mill’ and ‘someone who lives near a mill or works in it.’

20. Montoya – It is a surname of Basque and Spanish origin. Its meaning is ‘hills and valleys.

21. Moreno – It is a Portuguese and Spanish-originated family name. It means ‘dark-haired.’

22. Murillo – A very commonly adopted surname in TV shows as well. It means ‘a small wall’.

23. Rios – It has both Portuguese and Spanish origins. This surname is very important to Colombia. It is beItfrom the Rio River, ’ which flows through Colombia.

24. Suarez – A Spanish origin surname that means ‘son of the sugarman.’

25. Valencia – It is a very commonly adopted Colombian family name. It means ‘one who came from Valencia, Spain.’ It also comes from valor, which means ‘power or force.’

Unique Last Names in Colombia

Unique last names in Colombia highlight rare linguistic roots, regional influences, and family histories shaped over generations. These surnames often stand out for their distinctive sounds and meaningful origins.

1 Alberto – It is used as both a first and last name across many countries including European and Spanish speaking regions. The name means bright, noble, illustrious, and famously highborn.

2. Caballero – Rooted in Spain, it is a popular yet ancient surname. It means ‘a knight’ or ‘one who rode a horse.

3. Cardenas – This surname is shared by the famous former minister, Mauricio Cardenas Santamaria. This is again a Spanish origin surname and means ‘bluish purple’.

4. Ferreira – It is name of many villages near Baza, Guadix, Lugo, Mondonedo, Compostela and Granada. It is believed to be derived from the Latin word “ferrarius” which means ‘made from iron.’

5. Galindo – It’s a form of Garin, which is nothing but a spear or a friend in Spain. Galindo is also somebody who has come from Galindo, a place of chickens in Spain.

6. Guevara – This name has Spanish roots that mean ‘one who was known from Guevara.’ Guevara is known as the place that is overgrown with ferns. 

7. Hurtado – This surname in the Colombian last names list is derived from Spain. It has many meanings like ‘to hide,’ ‘conceal,’ or ‘illegitimate.’

8. Lara – In Spanish, this surname means ‘one who has come from fernery or a pagan household God.’

9. Lozano – It is one of the most common Colombian family names, which means ‘an area with luxurious greenery’. 

10. Marin – It is one of the unique Colombian last names in Colombia. It means ‘one who belongs to the sea’. 

11. Mejia – It is improperly spelled from a Spanish word called Mejilla which means ‘cheek.’

12. Meza – It is a Spanish-origin name that means ‘plateau.’ It also means ‘one who lives near/on a plateau.

13. Miranda – The surname has a Latin origin and means ‘someone who is admirable’ or ‘somebody worthy of admiration. Last names inspire it in Latin America.

14. Nieto – This surname took birth in Leon but is used immensely in Spain. It was derived from the Latin ‘nepos’ or ‘neptus’. These two words mean nephew, grandchild, or offspring by a generation. To be precise, it means child of either daughter or son.

15. Nino – It is an old French last name, most popular in Italy. It means ‘child’ or ‘infant.’

16. Orozco – Having roots in Basque, this surname is for people who have wanderlust. It is because the name means ‘traveler.’

17. Osorio – A Spanish origin surname means ‘wolf keeper’ or ‘wolf hunter.’ A very cool family name in Colombia.

18. Pabon – Quite an unusual surname that took birth in Spain. A famous poet named Gongora once, in his poem, referred to Roman Goddess Juno’s peacock as Pabon.

19. Palacios – Palacios, an extensively kept last name, means ‘one who came from a royal residence’ or ‘dweller in/near a nobleman’s home’.

20. Patino – A Hispanic origin last name that means ‘one who waddles’.

21. Pinzon – It is a ‘type of bird’ in Spanish.

22. Quintero – It is a Galician and Spanish origin surname that means ‘one who lives on a farmstead.’

23. Rangel – Found in Germany, it means ‘a mighty ruler’.

24. Rincon – It is an Old Spanish surname but unique. The last name means ‘a secluded area’ or ‘a corner.’ It symbolizes secrecy.

25. Vanegas – This surname is of Visigothic origin. It means ‘the son of Egas.’ The word Egas means ‘the edge of a sword’.

Rare Colombian Family Names

Rare Colombian family names often come from old lineages, regional traditions, and lesser known cultural influences. These typical Colombian names carry unique meanings that reflect history and identity.

1. Delgado – A Portuguese and Spanish origin name and means ‘slim’ or skinny.

2. Gil – This surname comes of Catalan and Spanish origin. It means ‘joy’ or ‘bright promise.’

3. Gonzales – Belonging to Spain, this name has multiple meanings. It means ‘the worker in metals’ or ‘the son of Gundisalv’ or ‘a smith.’

4. Padilla – This surname has Spanish roots and means ‘shallow dish’ or ‘bedpan.’ This surname is known to bring out the charm of the family.

5. Pacheco – This surname means ‘ noble one, ‘ belonging to Portuguese and Spanish origin.’

6. Pineda – It is a Catalan and Spanish origin surname. It means ‘pine grove’ or ‘pine forest.’ It can also stand for a pine farmer. 

7. Pena – Pena means a ‘large rock’ So, the surname is kept by someone from such a landscape or is a large stone dweller.

8. Perdomo – Belonging to Spain, the last name means ‘wise man’ or ‘good man.’

9. Ramos – This surname has roots in Portugal and Spain. It means ‘branches’ or ‘bouquets.’

10. Reyes – It is a Spanish-origin name that means ‘king’ or ‘royal’.

11. Roa – This cute little surname belongs to the Catalan region. It means ‘wheel,’ and symbolizes how a village got laid out in the past.

12. Romera – The surname is rooted in both Italian and Spanish origins. It means ‘one who is on a pilgrimage from Jerusalem/Rome’.

13. Rueda – With Spanish origin, this family name means ‘wood that bends to form a bow.’

14. Salas – It means ‘one who comes from a hall or a dwelling place’ in Spanish. In German, it is derived from sal which means ‘a family room’ or ‘a large habitable room’ or ‘a single room house where everyone lived, ate, and slept.

15. Salazar – The surname means ‘one who has come from Salazar, a manor house or corral. Salazar’s other meanings are ‘dweller near the sacred St. Lazar’ and ‘dweller near or in the palace or house’.

16. Sepulveda – It means a person who buried life’. It is usually a surname of people who are in the gravedigger profession.

17. Serna – It is a Spanish surname that means ‘one who comes from a cultivated field.’ There are several places in Spain by this name.

18. Sierra – It’s a beautiful Spanish origin surname that means ‘mountain range.’ It is usually kept by families living in the mountains.

19. Solano – Bright as the name, this surname means ‘directly exposed to the Sun’ or ‘unhidden.’

20. Vega – This cute little surname means ‘someone living in the meadow.’

21. Valasquez – A Spanish origin last name meaning ‘son of Velasco.’

22. Vergara – This last name will be well-suited for people as lovely as a garden. It is because it means ‘garden in the mountains.’

23. Villamizar – It’s derived from a village situated in Spain.

24. Valderrama – It is quite an interesting surname to have. It is because of its meaning. It is composed of the Latin prefix ‘Vallis,’ which is equivalent to ‘valle’. The meaning of valle is ‘valley.’ The suffix ‘derramare’ belongs to Spanish, which means ‘to spread’ or ‘to scatter. ‘ So jointly, it means ‘a valley that is scattered or spread out. ‘ 

25. Zapata – It is the last name of Galician and Spanish origin, and the meaning is ‘the experienced shoemaker.’

Famous People Having Colombian Last Names

Famous people with Colombian last names have made a strong mark worldwide through talent and achievement. Their full names often carry meaningful surnames rooted in history and culture.

1. Juan Pablo Montoya – Juan Pablo Montoya carries a surname meaning mountain or high land, symbolizing strength, elevation, and endurance.

2. Sofía Vergara – Sofía Vergara has a place based surname meaning boundary settlement or enclosed protected land area.

3. Nairo Quintana – Nairo Quintana features a surname meaning fifth or rural estate linked to land ownership.

4. Egan Bernal – Egan Bernal holds a surname meaning brave as a bear, symbolizing courage and strength.

FAQs

1 . Why do many Colombian surnames sound Spanish?

Many Colombian surnames sound Spanish due to centuries of Spanish colonial rule in Colombia. These naming traditions were passed down through generations and remain common today.

2. Are Colombian surnames passed down from both parents?

Yes, the traditional naming system includes two surnames, with the first inherited from the father and the second from the mother.

3. Can Colombian last names also be used as first names?

In some cases, Colombian surnames are used as first names, often due to religious influence, family traditions, or cultural preference.

Surnames tell a lot about us. When you introduce yourself, your surname tells about your whereabouts, your history, and mostly your profession. Knowing about the popularity of certain family names in Colombia will help you know the country’s current situation. We hope that your quest for a Colombian family name ends here. We have made sure to include the most popular and unique surnames in our list. We hope you like it!

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