100 Cuban Last Names or Surnames with Meanings

Common Cuban Last Names

Finding good surnames or family names with meanings can lend uniqueness to a given name. Some surnames are more widely used than others in Cuba. Here is a comprehensive list of some of Cuba’s most common Cuban last names! 

1. Acosta

Derived from Portuguese and Spanish origin, Acosta means “one who lives by the coast or shore.”

2. Aldana 

Derived from Basque origin, Aldana means “a place along a hillside” or “a place on a slope.”

3. Avila 

Derived from Spanish origin, Avila means “a city dweller,” or “one who came from the town.”

4. Ayala 

Derived from Basque origin, Ayala means “a pasture along a hill.”

5. Bernal

Derived from Catalan and German origin, Bernal means “strong as a bear.”

6. Betancourt 

Betancourt comes from the French “Bethencourt,” a Norman feudal holding.

7. Delgado 

Delgado was initially been bestowed as a nickname for a thin person. Delgado is derived from Spanish/Portuguese origin, which means “thin, slender.” The term originated from the Latin delicatus, meaning “dainty” or “exquisite.”

8. Escalona 

This habitational surname comes from Escalona in Toledo province or from Escalona Del Prado in Soria.

9. Escamilla 

Derived from a diminutive of “escama”, Escamilla means ‘scale’ and ‘one who came from Escamilla (small bench) in Spain.

10. Facundo 

This Spanish and Portuguese surname comes from the personal name Facundo which in turn comes from Latin facundus, meaning ‘talkative’ or ‘eloquent.’

11. Flores 

Derived from the name Floro, Flores means “flower,” which originates from the Latin flos.

12. Gomez 

Derived from the Visigothic word ‘guma,’ Gomez is a common Spanish patronymic surname meaning “son of Gome’ or “man.”

13. Gordon 

This Scottish habitational name comes from a place in Berwickshire (Borders). It comes from Welsh gor ‘spacious’ din ‘fort.’ Derived from Norman origin; this French habitational name comes from Gourdon in Saône-et-Loire. This Gallo-Roman personal name Gordus the locative suffix -o, -onis.

14. Infante 

Infante means ‘child.’ It was traditionally used for the primo genital children of the royal families of Spain.

15. Jacobo

Jacobo means ‘Son of Jacob,’ ‘noble’ or ‘ancient decent.’

16. Ledesma 

Derived from Spanish origin, Ledesma means ‘big’ or ‘wide.’

17. Leiva 

Derived from French origin, Leiva means “Great.”

18. Marrero 

This Spanish name refers to ‘who works with stones for a living.’

19. Martinez 

Derived from Spanish origin, Martinez means “son of Martin.” Martin itself comes from the Roman God Mars, ‘the patron of war.’

20. Ojeda 

Derived from Spanish origin, Ojeda means ‘a pile of leaves.’

21. Ortega 

This Spanish nickname from ortega’ female black grouse’ from Greek ortyx ‘quail.’ This topographic name comes from Occitan ortiga’ nettle’ (Its Latin form is urtica and the French form is ortie).

22. Revuelta

Derived from Spanish origin, Revuelta means “a revolutionary.” 

23. Reyes 

Reyes means ‘kings’ or “people of royalty” in Spanish.

24. Santamaria 

Derived from Spanish origin, Santamaria means “Saint Mary.”

25. Santana 

Derived from Spanish origin, Santana means “Saint Anne,” the mother of Mary.

Popular Cuban Surnames

Popular Cuban surnames, or Cuba last names, reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage and history. 

1. Alvarez 

Derived from Spanish origin, meaning “son of Alvaro” or “guardian.”

2. Arenas 

Derived from Spanish origin, Arenas means “sand.”

3. Balmaseda 

Derived from Basque and Spanish origin, Balmaseda means “a valley full of vineyards.” 

4. Bartelemi

Derived from French origin, Bartelemi means “one who owns abundant land.”

5. Cabrera 

Derived from the Latin word “capraria,” Cabrera refers to a ‘place full of goats.’

6. Castilla 

Derived of Spanish origin, Castillo means ‘castle.’ Castilla has variations in Castro, Castello, and Castillo. 

7. Despaigne

Despaigne refers to a person of Spain in French, where “de” means “of” and “spaigne” means “Spain.”

8. Escudero 

This occupational name comes for a squire, a young man of good birth attendant on a knight, or shield-bearer. It comes from Medieval Latin scutarius, a derivative of Latin scutum’ shield’.

9. Espino 

This family name comes from one of several places named Espinosa in Spain, including Galicia and Vascongadas. Hence, this Spanish topographic name refers to ‘someone living by a hawthorn’ or ‘in an area characterized by hawthorns, espino’ that may have been the ancient homeland of the Spanish people.

10. Felipe 

Felipe is the Spanish variant of the name Philip, which comes from the Greek adjective Philippos, meaning “friend of horses.”

11. Florida 

This surname comes from the Spanish name for ‘flowery, covered with flowers, or ‘abounding in flowers.’ 

12. Graciano 

Derived from Italian origin, Graciano means ‘beloved’ or ‘dear.’

13. Granados 

Granados is a nickname that comes from the Spanish Granado ‘mature,’ ‘experienced,’ and ‘distinguished.’ It is also a topographic or metonymic occupational name for a grower or seller of pomegranates, from Granado meaning’ pomegranate tree.’

14. Jaramillo 

Derived from Spanish origin, Jaramillo means ‘of The Jaramago Tree or ‘A jungle.’

15. Jardinez 

Jardinez is a family name that denotes ‘garden’ in French.

16. Leon 

Leon is a Spanish name from the personal name  Greek leon ‘meaning ‘lion.’ 

17. Leyva 

This Cuban last name means a person responsible for the regulation of the law.’

18. Matos 

In Hebrew, Matos refers to ‘someone who lives in a place filled with tall shrubs.’

19. Mirabal 

Derived from Spanish and Aragonese origin, Mirabel means “one who gazes upon the valley.” 

20. Otero 

Otero means ‘height’ in Spanish and can mean ‘someone living at a higher altitude.’

21. Pacheco 

Pacheco means ‘someone noble’ derived from Portuguese and Spanish origin. 

22. Rios 

Derived from the Spanish word Rio, Rios means ‘river.’

23. Rivas 

Derived from the word Rivera, Rivas means ‘seashore’ or ‘bank of a river.’

24. Sarduy 

Derived from Basque origin, Sarduy means “apple tree.”

25. Silveira/Silvela 

Derived from Portuguese origin, Silveira means “woods” or “land densely populated by woods.” It means ‘valley’ in Spanish.

Rare Cuban Last Names

While many last names in Cuba have widespread Spanish or Portuguese origins, these rare surnames highlight distinctive lineages and stories that enrich the country’s rich tapestry of names.

1. Amaral

Derived from Portuguese origin, Amaral means “vineyard.” It may have originated from the Latin’ amarus’, or “bitter,” which refers to the taste of wine.

2. Armas 

Derived from Spanish origin, Armas means “weapons” or “arms.”

3. Basilio

Derived from Italian and Portuguese origin, Basilio means “royal.” Traditionally, only those of high birth bore this surname.

4. Batista 

This Greek surname means ‘to baptize.’

5. Cisnero 

Derived from the Spanish word “cisnes”, Cisnero means ‘swan.’

6. De la Fe 

This surname means ‘a person of faith.’

7. Destrade 

Derived from Spanish origin, Destrade, means ‘a destined or paved path.’

8. Esquievel 

Originally spelled Ezkibel, Esquievel comes from the Basque words Ezki, which means lime tree, and Gibel, which means behind. Therefore, Esquivel means ‘the house behind the lime trees.’ 

9. Estevez 

Estevez is a patronymic surname in English from a Galician (Spanish) family name. It means ‘son of Stephen’ in Galician Estevo. Its equivalents are Esteves in Portuguese, Di Stefano in Italian, or Estébanez in Spanish.

10. Fermin 

Derived from French origin, Fermin means “strong.” Fermin was an ancient saint, a legendary holy man, and a martyr who is the patron saint of Pamplona in Navarre, Spain. 

11. Fredrick

Derived from English origin, Fredrick is a compound surname that comes from the root words for “peace” and “strength” or “power.”

12. Guerra 

Guerra is a Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian nickname for a belligerent person or a soldier from guerra’ war’.

13. Hernandez 

This Spanish surname means ‘son of Hernando,’ a version of Fernando meaning ‘a courageous voyager.’

14. Jorge 

Derived from the Greek name Georgios which comes from Latin Georgius, Jorge is a variant of georgos, meaning “farmer” or “earth-worker.”

15. Jurado  

This occupational name comes from jurado ‘sworn,’ past participle of jurar ‘to swear’ from Latin iurare.

16. Lopez 

Derived from the Latin word lupus, meaning ‘wolf’ or “son of Lope.’

17. Lupercio 

Luperciois of African origin and means “Intelligent and strong.’

18. Montalvan 

(Spanish origin), meaning “white mountains.” Related to Montalbán.

19. Mora 

Derived from Catalan, Portuguese, and Spanish origin, Mora means “mulberry.” An alternate Moreira means “mulberry tree” or “mulberry grove.”

20. Pereira 

In Portuguese, Pereira refers to ‘a pear tree’ or ‘plantation of pear trees.’

21. Perez 

Perez refers to the “son of pedro” in Spanish, whereas pedro is “peter” in English and means stone.

22. Rodriguez 

Rodriguez means ‘the son of Rodrigo’ or ‘someone who is in power.’

23. Rojas 

Rojas comes from the Spanish word Rojo, which denotes ‘the color red.’

24. Tamayo 

Derived from Catalan origin, Tamayo means ‘cattle feed’ or ‘fodder.’

25. Valladares 

Derived from Spanish origin, Valladares means “a fortress wall” or “bastion.”

Unique Cuban Last Names

Cuban family names are rich in history and cultural significance, often reflecting a blend of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian heritage. 

1. Arce 

Derived from Spanish origin, Arce means “stone.”

2. Arroyo 

Derived from Spanish origin, Arroya means “a pathway or channel used for irrigation.”

3. Bazan 

Derived from Basque origin, Bazan means “brambles” or “a place of brambles.”

4. Beltran

Derived from German origin, Beltran means “bright raven.”

5. Cuevas 

Originated from the hilly border regions of Spain, Cuevas means “cave” or “caves.”

6. Delfin 

Derived from the Spanish surname of Italian origin, Delfin refers to ‘the majestic creature “dolphin.” 

7. Echevarria 

Derived from the Basque language, Echevarria is a place name and surname from the Basque Country in Spain and France, meaning ‘the new house.’

8. Estrada 

Estrada comes from Latin state, which comes from sterner meaning ‘to strew or cover’), denoting ‘a paved way.’

9. Euseblo 

This Spanish and Portuguese name comes from Eusébio or Eusebio, which comes from Greek Eusebios meaning ‘revered,’ from EU- ‘good,’ ‘well’ a derivative of sebesthai ‘to honor,’ ‘respect.’

10. Fernandez 

Derived from Spanish origin, Fernandez means “son of Fernando’ or “brave voyager.”

11. Gerardo 

Derived from Spanish origin, Gerardo means ‘Spear Brave.’

12. Ibarra 

Ibarra means ‘a valley’ in Basque. 

13. Iglesias 

Iglesias means ‘churches’ in Spanish.

14. Labrada 

This famous surname of Cuba means ‘land used for farming’ or ’tilling.’

15. Lago 

Lago is a Spanish and Portuguese name that refers to a ‘person living on the lakeside.’

16. Madera 

Derived from Spanish origin, Madera means “wood” or “wooden.”

17. Marin 

Derived from Spanish and Catalan origin, Marin means “one who lives by the sea” or “one who comes from the sea.”

18. Nunez 

This patronymic Portuguese surname means ‘Son of Nuno.’

19. Obregon 

Derived from Portuguese origin, Obregon means “worker.”

20. Pomares 

Derived from Spanish origin, Pomares means “orchard.” 

21. Quintana 

Derived from Spanish origin, Quintana means ‘a house in the countryside.’

22. Roque 

Roque means ‘rock’ in Catalan and Spanish.

23. Saavedra

As per the Galician origin, Saavedra means “an ancestral hall.”

24. Varona 

Varona denotes ‘a woman with courage.’

25. Zayas 

Derived from the Basque word Zai, Zayas means ‘guard’ or ‘watchman.’

History and of Origin Cuban Last Name

Cuban surnames and meanings often trace back to the island’s diverse cultural roots, which include Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian influences. The history and origin of Cuban last names reflect a blend of ancestral heritage, geographic locations, and societal roles passed down through generations. Understanding the history of Cuban surnames and meanings reveals how these names carry deep significance, preserving family identity and connecting individuals to their rich Cuban heritage

FAQs

1. How do Cuban surnames work in naming traditions?

Cuban surnames traditionally include both paternal and maternal family names, with the father’s surname listed first. Women typically retain their maiden surnames after marriage.

2. What do Cuban surnames mean?

Many Cuban surnames carry meanings related to professions, geography, nobility, or natural elements, linking individuals to their family’s history and cultural identity

Cubans take pride in their roots as Cuban last names can originate in different countries and ethnicities as people have migrated over some time to settle down in this island country. An updated list of Cuban last names can come to your aid when looking to pick your child’s fanciest or trendiest most common surname that can add interest to your child’s personality.

Also Read:

German Last Names
Swiss Last Names or Surnames
Medieval Last Names or Surnames 
Austrian Last Names or Surnames with Meanings
Roman Last Names or Surnames & Their Meanings

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