Most Common Filipino Last Names (With Meaning & Origin)

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

Native Tagalog Surnames

List Of Chinese Filipino Surnames

Most Common Filipino Last Names

Popular Filipino Last Names

Rare Filipino Last Names

Cool Filipino Last Names

Unique Filipino Last Names

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.