100+ Filipino Last Names and Their Meanings (2024)!

Imagine the Philippines as an intricate tapestry where every thread tells its own tale through centuries of history, diverse cultural influences spanning centuries of Spain’s colonization, profound influences by the Catholic Church, and intricate melodies from Tagalog and Arabic roots.

From busy Manila streets to calmer landscapes in Mindanao, Filipino last names have made quite the journey! Not just identification marks anymore but actual narrative threads that tell their stories, which reflect its country of origins and evolution over generations!

Names like Santos, Reyes, and Cruz identify individuals and represent Christian faith, regional pride, historical transitions, and personal histories spanning decades and continents.

If you are curious about where your surname fits into this grand narrative, look no further! In this article, we delve into over one hundred Filipino last names to uncover their origins and meaning—perfect if you’re into genealogy, a history buff, or a simply curious soul!

Most Common Filipino Last Names With Meanings

These surnames are storied connections to ancestors, with each name carrying a unique narrative that adds to the vibrant tapestry of the nation’s heritage.

Filipino last names
  1. Abe: Hebrew Origin, meaning “Father of many”
  2. Abad: Spanish Origin, meaning “Everlasting” or “Eternal.”
  3. Abadiano: Spanish Origin, meaning “From Abadiano village in Biscay, Spain.”
  4. Abalos: Spanish Origin, meaning “From Abalos in Soria province”
  5. Abel: Hebrew Origin, meaning “Breath” or “son, “vanity.”
  6. Adlawan: Cebuano Origin, meaning “Sun” or “Daytime.”
  7. Aganad: Ilocano Origin, meaning “To take care”
  8. Agbayani: Ilocano Origin, meaning “To be heroic”
  9. Aguinaldo: Latin Origin, meaning “Gift” (Also borne by Emilio Aguinaldo, first President of the Philippines)
  10. Alacantara: Arabic Origin, meaning “The Bridge”
  11. Almazan: Arabic Origin, meaning “The stronghold”
  12. Alonto: Maranao Origin, meaning “Extraordinary.”
  13. Ambong: Filipino/Cebuano Origin, meaning “Type of hut where food grains are stored.”
  14. Avellino: Spanish Origin, meaning “From Avellino, Italy”
  15. Baccay: Tagalog Origin, meaning “To guard”
  16. Bacolod: Filipino Origin, meaning “Hill” or “Mound” (Refers to Bacolod city)
  17. Bacunawa: Cebuano Origin, meaning “Serpent” or “Dragon” (from Visayan mythology)
  18. Bagatsing: Sanskrit Origin, meaning “Devotee” and “Lion”
  19. Baguinda: Filipino Origin, meaning “Prince” (Reference to Rajah Baguinda Ali)
  20. Balaguer: Arabic Origin, meaning “From Balaguer city, Spain.”
  21. Balindong: Maranao Origin, meaning “Philosopher”
  22. Baluyot: Hiligaynon Origin, meaning “Bag” or “Pouch.”
  23. Banaag: Hiligaynon Origin, meaning “Gleam” or “Daybreak.”
  24. Bangon: Maranao Origin, meaning “To rise” or “A plot of land.”
  25. Baquiran: Ilocano Origin, meaning “Forest”
  26. Basilio: Filipino Origin, meaning “Royal” or “Kingly.”
  27. Batabor: Maranao Origin, meaning “Tea/Coffee pot” or “Green tube skirt.”
  28. Batungbakal: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Stone and Iron/Steel.”
  29. Bautista: Spanish Origin, meaning “Baptist” (Reference to Saint John the Baptist)
  30. Bayabao: Maranao Origin, meaning “Traditional subdivision in Lanao”
  31. Belmonte: Filipino Origin, meaning “Beautiful mountain.”
  32. Bulalacao: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Shooting star” or “Meteor.”
  33. Bulan: Cebuano Origin, meaning “Moon” or “Month.”
  34. Cabahug: Cebuano Origin, meaning “Feed” or “Slop”
  35. Cabello: Spanish Origin, meaning “Hair”
  36. Cagadas: Filipino Origin, meaning “Given to native Filipinos during conversion to Christianity.”
  37. Calinao: Cebuano Origin, meaning “Clarity” or “Peace.”
  38. Calumpang: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Wild almond tree” or “Batangas river.”
  39. Camama: Maranao Origin, meaning “Manly” or “Masculine.”
  40. Canosa: Latin Origin, meaning “Cave” or “Reed.”
  41. Caringal: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Very handsome” or “Very beautiful.”
  42. Catacutan: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Fear.”
  43. Catapang: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Courage”
  44. Cayabyab: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Pounding of rice grains.”
  45. Celda: Spanish Origin, meaning “battle of dark results.”
  46. Celestial: Old Latin Origin, meaning “Heavenly.”
  47. Chavez: Spanish/Portuguese Origin, meaning “Keys” (Famous bearer: Cesar Chavez)
  48. Cruz: Spanish Origin, meaning “Cross” (Spelt as “krus” in Tagalog)
  49. Cuizon: Hokkien Origin, meaning “Precious grandchild.”
  50. Dagohoy: Cebuano Origin, meaning “Talisman”
  51. Dalisay: Tagalog/Cebuano Origin, meaning “Chaste” or “Pure”
  52. Dasalan: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Place of prayer”
  53. Datuimam: Maranao/Arabic Origin, meaning “Leader” (Religious title)
  54. Datumanong: Maranao Origin, meaning “Two-headed lizard.”
  55. Datumolok: Maranao Origin, meaning “Leader” and “Own” (Noble title)
  56. Davino: Filipino Origin, meaning “Beloved.”
  57. Dayanghirang: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Lady” and “Selection.”
  58. Del Rosario: Spanish Origin, meaning “Of the rosary”
  59. Dilag: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Splendour” or “Beauty.”
  60. Dimaano: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Not touched.”
  61. Dimaapi: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Cannot be expressed.”
  62. Dimabasa: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Dry”
  63. Dimacuha: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Unobtainable”
  64. Dimagiba: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Indestructible.”
  65. Dimalanta: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Cannot be withered.”
  66. Dimaliwat: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Firm” or “Stubborn” (Cannot be transferred)
  67. Dimapilis: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Cannot be dissuaded.”
  68. Divata: Visayan Origin, meaning “Guardian” (Refers to ancestral spirits)
  69. Duterte: French Origin, meaning “Of the hillock”
  70. Ejercito: Spanish Origin, meaning “Army”
  71. Elyas: Arabic/Greek/Hebrew Origin, meaning “My God is Yahweh”
  72. Enriquez: Spanish Origin, meaning “Son of Enrique”
  73. Fabroa: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Lucky”
  74. Facundo: Filipino Origin, meaning “Talkative” (Derived from a 4th-century martyr of Leon)
  75. Fernandez: Spanish Origin, meaning “Son of Fernando”
  76. Galura: Sanskrit Origin, meaning “Mythical bird in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist mythology
  77. Galvez: Filipino Origin, meaning “Triumphant.”
  78. Guinto: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Gold”
  79. Hermedilla: Filipino Origin, meaning “From Batangas province during Spanish rule.”
  80. Halili: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Successor”
  81. Ilagan: Filipino Origin, meaning “Islet lake”
  82. Labrador: Spanish Origin, meaning “Work” or “Labour” (Associated with the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro Labrador)
  83. Lardizabal: Spanish Origin, meaning “From Lardizabal Palace”
  84. Laxamana: Sanskrit Origin, meaning “Admiral” or “Officer”
  85. Lualhati: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Glory”
  86. Macalipay: Cebuano/Hiligaynon Origin, meaning “Comfort” or “Pleasant”
  87. Magasaysay: Cebuano Origin, meaning “To relate” or “To narrate”
  88. Magindara: Filipino Origin, meaning “Demigoddess” or “Mythical mermaid.”
  89. Manug: Filipino Origin, meaning “Residing in Mnaug, Visayas or Mindanao”
  90. Marohom: Maranao Origin, meaning “Of the Sultan.”
  91. Mendoza: Filipino Origin, meaning “Cold mountain.”
  92. Morin: Filipino Origin, meaning “Dark.”
  93. Oracion: Spanish Origin, meaning “Prayer” or “Sentence.”
  94. Pabelico: Filipino Origin, meaning “Humblest” (Derived from “Humble”)
  95. Pacquiao: Cebuano Origin, meaning “Wholesale” (Borne by boxing champion Manny Pacquiao)
  96. Pandoro: Greek Origin, meaning “All gifts” (Derived from Pandora)
  97. Perez: Filipino Origin, meaning “To breach.”
  98. Posadas: Spanish Origin, meaning “Resting place” or “Standstill.”
  99. Radiomoda: Filipino Origin, meaning “Young king” (Used as a title by Sultans)
  100. Reyes: Spanish Origin, meaning “Kings” or “Royals.
  101. Salalila: Sanskrit Origin, meaning “Body” (Refers to the Rajah of Maynila)
  102. Salazar: Spanish Origin, meaning “Old hall” (Refers to an old Spanish dweller tribe)
  103. Santos: Spanish Origin, meaning “Saints”
  104. Salvador: Spanish/Portuguese Origin, meaning “Saviour”
  105. Suarez: Spanish Origin, meaning “Son of Suero”
  106. Sulu: Filipino Origin, meaning “From the sea”
  107. Sumulong: Tagalog Origin, meaning “To advance” or “To progress”
  108. Tanglao: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Illumination” or “Light.”
  109. Tatlonghari: Tagalog Origin, meaning “Three kings” (Refers to the biblical Magi)
  110. Tibayan: Tagalog Origin, meaning “To strengthen” or “To secure.”
  111. Timbol: Filipino Origin, meaning “Floating.”
  112. Tolentino: Italian Origin, meaning “From Tolentino, Italy”
  113. Torres: Italian Origin, meaning “Towers”
  114. Trinidad: Spanish Origin, meaning “Trinity.”
  115. Urrutia: Basque Origin, meaning “Distant place.”
  116. Valencia: Latin Origin, meaning “Strength” or “Health.”
  117. Valmorida: Spanish/Japanese Origin, meaning “valley of the forest field.”
  118. Valle: Spanish Origin, meaning “Valley.”
  119. Velasco: Spanish Origin, meaning “Crow” or “Raven.”
  120. Veluz: Filipino Origin, meaning “Speed.”

Famous People With Filipino Last Names

last names in Filipino
  1. Lea Salonga – Tony Award-winning actress and singer.
  2. Charice Pempengco (now known as Jake Zyrus) – International singer.
  3. Jose Rizal – National hero of the Philippines.
  4. Liza Soberano – Actress and model.
  5. Nora Aunor – Actress and singer.
  6. Dingdong Dantes – Actor and television presenter.
  7. Vilma Santos – Actress and politician.
  8. Regine Velasquez – Singer and actress.
  9. Catriona Gray – Miss Universe 2018.
  10. Kylie Verzosa – Miss International 2016.
  11. Bretman Rock – Social media influencer and makeup artist.
  12. Gina Lopez – Environmentalist and philanthropist.
  13. Fernando Poe Jr. – Actor and politician.
  14. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. – Senator and political leader.

Conclusion

Exploring over 100 Filipino last names provides insight into the rich cultural fusion and diverse heritage of this Southeast Asian nation. Surnames from Spanish, Chinese, American, and Indigenous roots influence them.

Every surname tells a different tale and holds its own special place within Filipino society and identity. Please share this article and let us know your top pick from all these names.