There are a thousand Filipino surnames in the Philippines. Filipinos used to have one name only and Filipino surnames began during the 26th century when Spain colonized the country. As you can observe, the Filipino naming customs are similar to Spanish and Portuguese name customs, and some are of Chinese naming customs.
The Filipino naming system is the same as the Spanish, including paternal and maternal surnames. The maternal surnames are used as the middle name. An example of it is Juan Santos y de la Cruz becoming Juan Santos de la Cruz. “Y” in the middle of a person’s full name is used for legal purposes only and is commonly dropped.
Filipino names are predominantly adapted from the Spanish naming system due to Spanish colonization. Also, Governor-General Narciso Clavería y Zaldúa issued a decree to let Filipinos follow Spanish surnames to help make the census counting easier.
Also, Chinese Filipino names are adapted from their Chinese ancestors who came to the Philippines before 1898. To know more about Filipino names, please read more below.
How Do Filipino Surnames Originated?
Before pre-colonization, Filipinos didn’t have surnames. That is why when Spain colonized the Philippines; they were having a hard time doing a census. In 1849, Governor-General Claveria ordered a decree to give Filipinos last names. The list of Filipino surnames are listed in the Book Catálogo Alfabético de Apellidos.
The Book has 60,288 surnames where families can choose. The list of surnames are typically Spanish surnames; only 30 to 40% were actual Spanish Surnames.
Some surnames added to the list are Spanish words and forms derived from plants, minerals, animals, and other familiar names. Others were derived from the local dialects, and many of these are derogatory and offensive, such as Ung-goy = monkey, Asuang = Ungo, and Baboy = Pig. 10% of Filipino Surnames are comprised of Filipino Chinese Surnames such as Tiapson, Lacson, and Jocson.
Traditional Filipino Surnames
LAST NAME | MEANING | DIALECT ORIGIN |
---|---|---|
Abalahin | To Disturb | Tagalog |
Abay | Next To | Ilocano |
Adlao | Day | Boholano |
Agumbay | Waray | |
Amosin | Cebu | |
Babalato | To Share | Tagalog |
Babaylan | Shaman | Visayan |
Bacunawa | Serpent | |
Badjao | Cebu | |
Bagasao | Ilocano | |
Bagnol | Bohol | |
Balangue | Pangasinense | |
Cacananta | Sibling | Ilocano |
Caccam | To Claim | Tagalog |
Calag | Soul | Cebuano |
Calalang | Kapampangan | |
Caunsag | Boholano | |
Cudal | Pangasinense | |
Daclan | Main Parts of The House | Ilocano |
Dacu | Big | Cebuano |
Dagdag | To Add | Tagalog |
Dampog | Boholano | |
Darang | Kapampangan | |
Emuslan | Ilocano | |
Gaa | Ilocano | |
Gafun | Ibanag | |
Galang | Respect | Tagalog |
Guiriba | Bicolano | |
Gumabon | Kapampangan | |
Gumisong | Cebuano | |
Halili | Vice Chief | Tagalog |
Halog | Ilocano | |
Huedem | Bicolano | |
Ibabao | On Top | Cebuano |
Ilacad | To Walk | Tagalog |
Jabol | To Chase | |
Julag-ay | Mischievous | Visayan |
Juni | Chirp | Tagalog |
Kabaitan | Kindness | Tagalog |
Kanlungan | Refuge | Kapampangan |
Labis | Excess | Tagalog |
Lacap | To Hug | Pangasinense |
Ladao | Late | Ilocano |
Lagac | To Deposit | Cebuano |
Laki | Kapampangan | |
Maayo | good, fine, pleasant | Cebuano |
Mababangloob | Humble | Tagalog |
Mabalo | To be widowed | Ilocano |
Mabalon | A lot Of Wells | Aklanon |
Macapagal | Tiring | Tagalog/ Kapampangan |
Nasino | To Take Notice | Tagalog |
Nitafan | Ilocano, Pangasinan | |
Omictin | To Jump | Cebuano |
Orongan | Move | Tagalog |
Pacada | Farewell | Ilocano |
Pacaon | To Feed | Cebuano |
Padayao | To Give Praise | Ilocano |
Padios | To God | Tagalog |
Pangan | To Eat | Ilocano/ Kapampangan |
Pita | Pangasinense | |
Quiaoit | A Bird | Ilocano |
Quilala | Known | Tagalog |
Quilong- quilong | Cebuano | |
Quimuyog | To Come Along | Ilocano |
Ragasa | Intrepid | |
Ragsac | Happiness | Ilocano |
Sabacan | Attack | Tagalog |
Sagaysay | Comb | Ilocano |
Salabsab | Boholano | |
Siapno | Pangasinan | |
Tabang | Weak State | Tagalog |
Tabian | Person Who Gossips | Cebuano |
Tacder | Stand | Ilocano |
Talao | Coward | Kapampangan |
Ugale | Habit | Ilocano |
Ulap / Ulep | Cloud | Tagalog/ Ilocano |
Utak | Brain | Cebu |
Viray | Large Boat | Ilocano |
Yabut | To Hand Over | Tagalog |
Native Tagalog Surnames
LAST NAME | MEANING |
---|---|
Dimaandal | Cannot Be Shoved |
Dimaanó | Cannot Have Anything Done To |
Dimabuyû | Cannot Be Provoked |
Dimakulangan | To Be Not Lacking |
Dimaguiba | Impenetrable |
Dimasalang | Untouchable |
Dimatibág | Cannot Be Harmed |
Dimayuga | Unshakeable |
Guinto | Gold |
Macaraeg | Brave |
Matapang | Brave |
Masipag | Industrious |
Lumaban | Fought Or Battled |
Pulumbarit | From The Back |
Tagalicud | From The Back |
Tagalikod | From The Back |
List Of Chinese Filipino Surnames
Chan |
Cheng |
Chua |
Co |
Cue |
Dee |
Go |
Ku |
Lee |
Tan |
Tiu |
Ting |
Ty |
Sy |
Yap |
Yee |
Gokongwei |
Uytengsu |
Angangco |
Chotangco |
Chikiamco |
Cojuangco |
Dichoco |
Dyquiangco |
Dychingco |
Felongco |
Limbaco |
Limbitco |
Limcaco |
Limcangco |
Limcauco |
Limjoco |
Limlengco |
Limpingco |
Limtuaco |
Litiatco |
Litimco |
Nibungco |
Ongkingco |
Onglatco |
Onglengco |
Ongoco |
Ongpauco |
Osongco |
Pantangco |
Simpauco |
Sincioco |
Syjuco |
Sytengco |
Tanjuatco |
Tantiangco |
Tantoco |
Uyaco |
Uyboco |
Uycoco |
Uytico |
Wambangco |
Yapjuangco |
Yoingco |
Yuchengco |
Yujuico |
Yusingco |
Yutadco |
Most Common Filipino Last Names
LAST NAME | Meaning |
---|---|
Abalos | The Desert Tunes |
Abe | Father of Nations or Many |
Abad | Priest |
Bacolod | Stonehill |
Basilio | Kingly or Royal |
Belmonte | Beautiful Mountain |
Cabello | Hair |
Celestial | Heavenly |
Davino | Beloved |
Elyas | My God is Yaweh |
Enriquez | Son of Enrique |
Facundo | Talkative or Eloquent |
Galvez | Triumphant |
Ilagan | Islet lake |
Mendoza | Cold Mountain |
Morin | Dark and Swarthy |
Perez | To Breach or Burst Forth |
Pandoro | All Gifts |
Posadas | Standstill or Resting Place |
Radiomoda | Youthful or Juvenile King |
Salazar | Old Hall |
Suarez | Son of Suero |
Timbol | Floating |
Torres | Tower |
Velasco | Raven |
Popular Filipino Last Names
LAST NAME | MEANING |
---|---|
Abadiano | Appreciative |
Abelardo | Breath |
Almazan | The Fortified Place |
Barretto | The Barrier |
Cabrera | Goatherd |
Chaves | Keys |
Dela Cruz | Of The Cross |
Del Rosario | Of The Rosarium or Rosegarden |
Dalisay | Pure Hearted |
Diwa | Light or Candle |
Esguera | Left Handed |
Fernandez | Son of Fernando |
Flor | Flower |
Guinta | Good Addition |
Halili | Beloved |
Moreno | Dark Haired |
Noriega | To Whine |
Padilla | Frying Pan |
Peralta | High Rock |
Rimas | A Type Of Beautiful Diamond |
Roberto | Bright Fame |
Ruiz | Renowned |
Sauro | Sorrel Color |
Tibayan | Stronger |
Urrutia | Isolated |
Veluz | Visible Brightness |
Rare Filipino Last Names
LAST NAME | MEANING |
---|---|
Abella | Beekeeper |
Agustin | To Increase |
Ballesteros | Son Of Crossbowman |
Bernal | Bear-Brave |
Castro | Fortress |
Carpio | Hills |
Estrella | Star |
Esquivel | Behind LIme Trees |
Faustino | Good Luck |
Galang | To Respect |
Manalo | Big Win |
Navarro | From Navarra |
Rioflorido | Flowers Beside A Flowing River |
Rosario | Rose Garden |
Valencia | Health |
Cool Filipino Last Names
LAST NAME | MEANING |
---|---|
Agbayani | Patriotic |
Aranda | Valley |
Baquiran | Classmate |
Briones | Strong |
Dimaano | Untouchable |
Espino | Hawthorn |
Gallardo | Cheerful |
Gozar | To Enjoy |
Oliveros | Olive Trees |
Portillo | Port |
Pabalat | Saddle |
Radiad | Divine |
Soriano | From Soria |
Salalila | Body |
Sumaya | Superior |
Salvador | Messiah |
Tungpalan | Blessings |
Trinidad | Trinity |
Valle | Valley |
Wagan | Carrier |
Unique Filipino Last Names
LAST NAME | MEANING |
---|---|
Acosta | Coast |
Alvarado | Whitenned Place |
Avelino | Saint |
Bonilla | Good Child |
Calumpang | Almond Tree |
Canosa | Reed |
Custodio | Guardian |
Datuimam | A Leader |
Galura | A Bird |
Labrador | Work or Labor |
Laxamana | Admiral |
Mabini | Modest |
Magsaysay | To Tell or Relate |
Oracion | Prayer Or Sentence |
Zamora | Wild Olives |
Takeaways
Filipinos before the pre-colonial period had only one given name. During the Spanish colonization, Governor General Claveria issued a decree to give Filipinos surnames to make the census easier.
Some Filipino surnames are from Chinese surnames. In conclusion, Filipino surnames are derived from Spanish and Chinese surnames.