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

LAST NAMEMEANINGDIALECT ORIGIN
AbalahinTo DisturbTagalog
AbayNext To Ilocano
AdlaoDayBoholano
AgumbayWaray
AmosinCebu
BabalatoTo ShareTagalog
BabaylanShamanVisayan
BacunawaSerpent
BadjaoCebu
BagasaoIlocano
BagnolBohol
BalanguePangasinense
CacanantaSiblingIlocano
CaccamTo ClaimTagalog
CalagSoulCebuano
CalalangKapampangan
CaunsagBoholano
CudalPangasinense
DaclanMain Parts of The HouseIlocano
DacuBigCebuano
DagdagTo AddTagalog
DampogBoholano
DarangKapampangan
EmuslanIlocano
GaaIlocano
GafunIbanag
GalangRespectTagalog
GuiribaBicolano
Gumabon Kapampangan
GumisongCebuano
HaliliVice ChiefTagalog
HalogIlocano
HuedemBicolano
IbabaoOn TopCebuano
IlacadTo WalkTagalog
JabolTo Chase
Julag-ayMischievousVisayan
JuniChirpTagalog
KabaitanKindnessTagalog
KanlunganRefugeKapampangan
LabisExcessTagalog
Lacap To HugPangasinense
LadaoLateIlocano
LagacTo DepositCebuano
LakiKapampangan
Maayogood, fine, pleasantCebuano
MababangloobHumbleTagalog
MabaloTo be widowedIlocano
MabalonA lot Of WellsAklanon
MacapagalTiringTagalog/ Kapampangan
NasinoTo Take NoticeTagalog
NitafanIlocano, Pangasinan
OmictinTo JumpCebuano
OronganMoveTagalog
PacadaFarewellIlocano
PacaonTo FeedCebuano
PadayaoTo Give PraiseIlocano
PadiosTo GodTagalog
PanganTo EatIlocano/ Kapampangan
PitaPangasinense
QuiaoitA BirdIlocano
QuilalaKnownTagalog
Quilong- quilongCebuano
QuimuyogTo Come AlongIlocano
RagasaIntrepid
RagsacHappiness Ilocano
SabacanAttackTagalog
SagaysayCombIlocano
SalabsabBoholano
SiapnoPangasinan
TabangWeak StateTagalog
TabianPerson Who GossipsCebuano
TacderStandIlocano
TalaoCowardKapampangan
UgaleHabitIlocano
Ulap / UlepCloudTagalog/ Ilocano
UtakBrainCebu
VirayLarge Boat Ilocano
YabutTo Hand Over Tagalog
Traditional Filipino Surnames

Native Tagalog Surnames

LAST NAMEMEANING
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
MacaraegBrave
Matapang Brave
MasipagIndustrious
Lumaban Fought Or Battled
PulumbaritFrom The Back
Tagalicud From The Back
Tagalikod From The Back
Native Tagalog Surnames

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
Chinese Filipino Surnames

Most Common Filipino Last Names

LAST NAMEMeaning
AbalosThe Desert Tunes
AbeFather of Nations or Many
AbadPriest
BacolodStonehill
BasilioKingly or Royal
BelmonteBeautiful Mountain
CabelloHair
CelestialHeavenly
DavinoBeloved
ElyasMy God is Yaweh
EnriquezSon of Enrique
FacundoTalkative or Eloquent
GalvezTriumphant
IlaganIslet lake
MendozaCold Mountain
MorinDark and Swarthy
PerezTo Breach or Burst Forth
PandoroAll Gifts
PosadasStandstill or Resting Place
RadiomodaYouthful or Juvenile King
SalazarOld Hall
SuarezSon of Suero
TimbolFloating
TorresTower
VelascoRaven
Common Filipino Last Names

Popular Filipino Last Names

LAST NAMEMEANING
AbadianoAppreciative
AbelardoBreath
AlmazanThe Fortified Place
BarrettoThe Barrier
CabreraGoatherd
ChavesKeys
Dela CruzOf The Cross
Del RosarioOf The Rosarium or Rosegarden
DalisayPure Hearted
DiwaLight or Candle
EsgueraLeft Handed
FernandezSon of Fernando
FlorFlower
GuintaGood Addition
HaliliBeloved
MorenoDark Haired
NoriegaTo Whine
PadillaFrying Pan
PeraltaHigh Rock
RimasA Type Of Beautiful Diamond
RobertoBright Fame
RuizRenowned
SauroSorrel Color
TibayanStronger
UrrutiaIsolated
VeluzVisible Brightness
Popular Filipino Last Names

Rare Filipino Last Names

LAST NAMEMEANING
AbellaBeekeeper
AgustinTo Increase
BallesterosSon Of Crossbowman
BernalBear-Brave
CastroFortress
CarpioHills
EstrellaStar
EsquivelBehind LIme Trees 
FaustinoGood Luck
GalangTo Respect
ManaloBig Win
NavarroFrom Navarra
RiofloridoFlowers Beside A Flowing River
RosarioRose Garden
ValenciaHealth
Rare Filipino Last Names

Cool Filipino Last Names

LAST NAMEMEANING
AgbayaniPatriotic
ArandaValley
BaquiranClassmate
BrionesStrong
DimaanoUntouchable
EspinoHawthorn
GallardoCheerful
GozarTo Enjoy
OliverosOlive Trees
PortilloPort
PabalatSaddle
RadiadDivine
SorianoFrom Soria
SalalilaBody
SumayaSuperior
SalvadorMessiah
TungpalanBlessings
TrinidadTrinity
ValleValley
WaganCarrier
Cool Filipino Last Names

Unique Filipino Last Names

LAST NAMEMEANING
AcostaCoast
AlvaradoWhitenned Place
AvelinoSaint
BonillaGood Child
CalumpangAlmond Tree
CanosaReed
CustodioGuardian
DatuimamA Leader
GaluraA Bird
LabradorWork or Labor
LaxamanaAdmiral
MabiniModest
MagsaysayTo Tell or Relate
OracionPrayer Or Sentence
ZamoraWild Olives
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. 

Regina and Joe

Hello! It's Regina and Joe here. Like many other couples, we met online and after a long-distance relationship, Joe decided to move to the Philippines, where we married and live together since 2017. In this blog, we will teach you how to enjoy the Philippines to the fullest and what to expect from Filipino culture. Who more than us can understand both the West and the East?

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