Hispanic Surnames: peculiarities
Understanding how surnames are formed is fundamental to avoid making mistakes.
One of the most distinctive characteristics of names in Spain (and in many Spanish-speaking countries) is the use of two surnames. Unlike other cultures where only the paternal surname is inherited, in Spain each person carries both the father's and the mother's surname. But where does this custom come from, what is its historical origin and why has it been maintained until today?
A historical origin of the use of the two surnames
During the Middle Ages, in the Iberian Peninsula there was no fixed surname system as we know it today. People were identified by their first name followed by some reference, such as:
Father's first name (e.g. Pedro “Gonzalez”, son of Gonzalo)
Place of origin (e.g. John “of Seville”, name of the city)
Profession or job (e.g. Martin “Herrero”, makes horseshoes)
Over time, these complementary names began to be passed down hereditarily, and so surnames as we know them were born.
16th-17th centuries: nobility leads the way
In the 16th and 17th centuries, especially among noble and wealthy families, the use of two surnames began to spread: the father's and the mother's. The reason was clear: to preserve and show the family lineage on both sides, which was key for inheritance, noble titles and social prestige. The reason was clear: to preserve and show the family lineage on both sides, which was key to inheritance, noble titles and social prestige.
Example:
A son of Don Alonso “Perez de Guzman” and Doña Maria “Alvarez de Toledo” could be called John “Perez Alvarez”.
This use was progressively extended to other social classes, especially in urban areas and among those who wanted to reflect an illustrious ascendancy.
XIX century: the system's formalization
The legal use of the two surnames was consolidated throughout the 19th century, with the implementation of an obligatory Civil Registry in 1870. From that moment on:
It was established that every person would have a first surname from the father and a second from the mother.
The order was traditionally patrilineal (father's first), although with a recent reform this can be changed by parental choice.
Can the order of the last names be changed?
Yes. Since 2017, in Spain, parents can choose the order of their children's surnames. If there is no agreement, the Civil Registry can determine it randomly or by equity criteria.
This has opened up new possibilities for balancing the prominence of maternal surnames and at the same time reflects a more equal society.
Is this system used in other countries with a Hispanic tradition?
The use of two surnames is also found in many countries of Hispanic tradition, such as Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Argentina or Chile. However, in some cases, only the first surname is legally used or there are differences in how they are transmitted.
In British or European countries, generally only one surname is inherited (the paternal), which can make genealogical research or tracing the maternal line difficult.
There are other cases, such as in Portugal, where tradition dictates that those born bear their mother's surname first, even if it is the paternal surname that is passed on.
For what reason is it important in genealogy?
The two-surname system allows genealogical researchers to follow two family lines simultaneously, facilitating the reconstruction of complete family trees and access to historical documents such as:
Birth, marriage or death certificates
Obituaries, censuses and notarial records
Parochial and nobility archives
This system is a cultural and legal tool that helps preserve the family memory in a much richer and more detailed way including the maternal side..
The use of two surnames in Spain is the result of centuries of social, legal and cultural evolution. Born as a form of practical identification, it became a symbol of lineage and today it is a tool of the equal identity.
Whether you are putting together your family tree or simply want to better understand your full name, knowing the origin of this tradition is also a way to get to know yourself a little better.