100 Common Filipino Last Names Or Surnames, With Meanings

The geographical origins of Filipino last names are diverse. Some common Filipino surnames or last names bear Spanish, Chinese, or Arabic roots, while some have a mix of American and Spanish naming traditions. Some of these surnames are even derived from Tagalog and other languages. However, they are uncommon. These surnames also have a long and illustrious history. During the Spanish colonization of the Philippines in the 16th century, Filipinos began to adopt their surnames. As the Catholic Church provided names to new converts, an increasing number of Filipinos began utilizing both their native and Christian names, and that was the time when the Philippine government standardized naming practices among its citizens. This post lists some common, elegant, and rare Filipino surnames, along with their meanings, history, and variations. Keep scrolling.

In This Article

List Of Popular Filipino Last Names Or Surnames

1. Abe

It is derived from Hebrew and is used in several English-speaking countries. This name is a short form for ‘Abraham’ meaning ‘father of many or a multitude.’ It is a common surname in the Taytay region of Palawan.

2. Abad

This is an occupational surname of Spanish origin. It means ‘everlasting or eternal.’

3. Abadiano

This habitational name refers to a village in Biscay, Spain. It is one of the most common surnames in the Philippines.

4. Abalos

It is also one of the common last names in the Philippines. It is derived from Ábalos, a place near Haro in Soria province, and is a variant of Avalos, referring to a grove of kermes oak.

5. Abel

This is a biblical name meaning ‘breath, vapor, or vanity’ in Hebrew.

6. Adlawan

It has its origin in Cebuano and means ‘daytime.’ The root word ‘Adlaw’ means ‘sun’ in English.

7. Agbayani

This surname has its usage in Filipino, Tagalog, and Ilocano. It means ‘to be heroic,’ in Ilocano language.

8. Alcantara

Alcantara, a Filipino surname that means bridge

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This is a habitational name for someone from the municipality of Alacantara in Extremadura, Spain. It is a transliteration of the Arabic word al-qantara, which means ‘the bridge.’

9. Almazan

It is primarily used in the Philippines and refers to someone from the municipality of Almazan in Castile and Leon, Spain. The name is derived from the Arabic word ‘al-makhzan,’ meaning ‘the stronghold.’

10. Alonto

Alonto means ‘extraordinary’ in Maranao. It is primarily used by Maranao and Filipino people.

11. Ambong

This refers to a type of hut or shack used for storing food grains. It has its origins in Filipino and Cebuano.

12. Avelino

It is derived from the personal name Avelino of Spanish origin. It was borne by Saint Andrea Avellino of the 17th century in Avellino in Campania, Italy.

13. Baccay

This surname means ‘to guard’ in Tagalog.

14. Bacolod

This is a toponymic name for someone who lived in the city of Bacolod on Negros Island in Western Visayas, Philippines. It means ‘hill or mound’ in English.

protip_icon Did you know?
Filipinos typically have Chinese, American, or Spanish ancestry, but are primarily of Malay descent.

15. Bacunawa

It is derived from the Cebuano word bakunawa, which refers to a type of serpent or dragon in Visayan mythology.

16. Baguinda

This surname is a Minangkabau honorific for a prince. It was adopted in honor of Rajah Baguinda Ali, a Mininakabau prince who was a ruler of the Sulu Archipelago.

17. Balaguer

This habitational name refers to someone from the city of Balaguer in Catalonia, Spain. It also has its origin in Arabic.

18. Balindong

It is a title of nobility, meaning ‘seer or philosopher’ in Maranao.

19. Baluyot

This last name originated from the Hiligaynon word baluyot, meaning ‘bag, sack, or pouch.’

20. Banaag

Banaag means ‘gleam, daybreak, or reflection’ in Hiligaynon.

21. Bangon

It means ‘to get up or rise’ in Maranao. It also refers to a plot of land.

22. Baquiran

It is one of the most common surnames in the Philippines. This is a derivative of the word ‘bakiran,’ meaning forest in Ilocano.

23. Basa

This Filipino surname is a popular surname in Manila, the Philippines.

24. Batabor

It means ‘teapot or coffee pot’ in Maranao. It also refers to ‘green malong (tube skirt).’

25. Batungbakal

It is a Tagalog and Filipino surname derived from a combination of two names, namely ‘bato,’ meaning ‘stone,’ and ’bakal,’ meaning ‘iron or steel.’

26. Bayabao

This is derived from the Maranao term ‘Bayabaw,’ which refers to the traditional subdivisions of the eastern regions of Lanao.

27. Bulalacao

It is widely used in Tagalog- and Filipino-speaking regions. This is a derivative of ‘bulalakaw’ in Tagalog, meaning ‘shooting star or meteor.’

28. Bulan

Bulan is a common Filipino surname meaning the moon

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A Cebuano surname meaning ‘a moon’ or ‘a month,’ this name was first brought to England by the Norman Conquest.

29. Cabahug

The original surname ‘Cabajug’ was first found in the 19th-century Spanish documents. It is derived from ‘bahog,’ meaning ‘feed or slop’ in Cebuano.

30. Cagadas

This name was most likely given to the Filipinos during the conversion of native Filipinos into Christianity.

31. Calinao

It is derived from ‘kalinaw,’ meaning ‘clarity or peace’ in Cebuano.

32. Calumpang

This is a toponymic name that refers to someone from the river in Batangas, Philippines. It is an alternative to the name ‘kalumpang,’ meaning ‘wild almond tree’ in Tagalog.

33. Camama

This Filipino surname is derived from the word ‘kamama,’ meaning ‘manly or masculine’ in Maranao.

34. Canosa

It is derived from the Latin word ‘Cana’ meaning ‘cave or reed.’ It is a common surname in the Caraga, Central Visayas, and Northern Mindanao regions.

35. Caringal

This surname is derived from the nickname Dingal, meaning ‘very handsome or very beautiful’ in Tagalog.

36. Catacutan

This is derived from the Tagalog word katakutan, meaning ‘fright or fear.’

37. Catapang

It means ‘courage or bravery,’ and is derived from the Tagalog word ‘tapang.’

38. Cayabyab

This Filipino surname originated from the Tagalog word ‘yabyab,’ meaning ‘pounding of rice grains.’

39. Celda

This modern surname is of Spanish origin and is a word referring to a prison cell.

40. Chaves

This is an alternate spelling of Chavez, the famous labor leader Cesar Chavez.

41. Dagohoy

It is derived from the Cebuano phrase ‘dagon sa huyuhoy,’ meaning ‘talisman of the breeze.’

42. Dalisay

This surname is a popular nickname meaning ‘chaste or pure.’ It has its origin in Tagalog and Cebuano languages.

43. Dasalan

It refers to a ‘place of prayer,’ and is derived from the word ‘dasal,’ meaning ‘prayer’ in Tagalog.

44. Datuimam

This last name is a title used for religious leaders. It is derived from the Maranao word ‘dato,’ meaning ‘chieftain, leader,’ and Arabic word ‘imam,’ meaning ‘leader.’

45. Datumanong

It is derived from the name, Datomanong, a character in the Maranao epic poem Darangen. The name means ‘two-headed lizard’ in Maranao.

46. Datumolok

This surname is a combination of the Maranao words ‘dato,’ meaning ‘chieftain or leader’ and ‘molok,’ meaning ‘own or possess.’ It is a title used for nobility.

47. Dayanghirang

It means ‘chosen lady,’ and has a Tagalog origin. It is a combination of the words ‘dayang,’ meaning ‘lady, girl, process,’ and ‘hirang,’ meaning ‘selection or choice.’

48. Del Rosario

Del Rosario, a popular Filipino surname

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This last name, meaning ‘of the rosary,’ has its origin in Spanish.

49. Dilag

It refers to ‘splendor, beauty, or brilliance,’ or ‘maiden’ in Tagalog.

50. Dimaano

It means ‘not injured or not touched.’ This surname is a combination of two Tagalog words, namely ‘di,’ meaning ‘no, not,’ and ‘maano,’ meaning ‘have something happen.’

51. Dimaapi

This Tagalog word means ‘cannot be expressed.’

52. Dimabasa

It is a Tagalog word for ‘dry.’ The name is a combination of two words, namely ‘di’ meaning ‘no, not’ and ‘basa’ meaning ‘watery, wet.’

53. Dimacuha

It is Tagalog word meaning ‘unobtainable.’ It has been derived from the words di (no, not) and makuha (to obtain, to get).

54. Dimagiba

It means ‘indestructible’ in Tagalog. It is derived from the words ‘di,’ meaning “no, not” and ‘giba,’ meaning ‘demolished, destroyed.’

55. Dimaisip

It means ‘unfathomable.’ This surname is a combination of the Tagalog words ‘di’ meaning ‘no, not,’ and ‘isip’ meaning ‘discernment, intellect.’

56. Dimalanta

It is a Tagalog word meaning ‘cannot be withered,’ and is derived from the words ‘di,’ meaning ‘no, not,’ and ‘malanta,’ meaning ‘wither, fade.’

57. Dimaliwat

It is a Tagalog word meaning firm or stubborn. It is derived from the words ‘di,’ meaning ‘no, not’ and ‘liwat,’ meaning ‘to transfer.’

58. Dimapilis

The meaning of the surname is ‘cannot be dissuaded.’ It is derived from the Tagalog words ‘di,’ meaning ‘no, not,’ and ‘pili,’ meaning ‘contorted or twisted.’

59. Dimatulac

It means ‘stubborn’ or ‘cannot be moved.’ It is derived from the Tagalog words ‘di,’ meaning ‘no, not’ and ‘tulak,’ meaning ‘shove, push.’

60. Dimayuga

It means ‘unshakable’ in Tagalog and is a combination of the words di (no, not) and mauga (shaky or wobbly).

61. Divata

It is a Visayan or Mindanao word for‘ guardian or protector of nature.’ It refers to ancestorial spirits that guide mortals.

62. Dy

This surname is a Hokkien romanization of ‘Li’ meaning ‘plum or plum tree’ in Chinese.

63. Elyas

It is a variant of Elias, a Latinized form of the Hebrew word ‘Eliyahu,’ meaning ‘My God is Yahweh.’ This is a common surname amongst Filipino, Ethiopian, and Malay populations.

64. Fabroa

This surname means ‘lucky’ and is of Tagalog origin. It is a variant of Fabro.

65. Fernandez

This is a common Filipino surname, and it means ‘son of Fernando’ in Spanish.

66. Galura

This Filipino last name originated from the Sanskrit term ‘garuda,’ which refers to a mythical bird in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist beliefs.

67. Gatus

This is a Cebuano word for ‘hundred.’

68. Gozar

This Filipino surname is derived from the Spanish word ‘gozar,’ meaning ‘to enjoy.’

69. Guinto

Guinto means gold

Image: Shutterstock

It means ‘gold’ in Tagalog.

70. Hermedilla

It is an occupational name given to those from the Batangas province of the Southern Tagalog region during the Spanish rule.

71. Halili

It means successor in Tagalog.

72. Labrador

It is derived from the root word ‘labaro,’ meaning ‘work or labor.’ This surname is often associated with San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers.

73. Lardizabal

It is a toponymic name denoting someone who lived at Lardizabal Palace, a mansion in Segura, Comarca of Goierri.

74. Laxamana

This surname is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Laksamana,’ meaning ‘admiral or officer.’

75. Mabini

It is the Tagalog word for ‘modest, prudent or civil.’

76. Magasaysay

This is a Cebuano word meaning ‘to tell, to relate, or to narrate.’ A notable person with this name was Ramon Magasaysay, the seventh President of the Philippines.

protip_icon Did you know?
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual award to honor former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay’s example of governance and service to the people. Over 300 organizations and individuals have received this prestigious award in the last 50 years.

77. Manug

This surname is commonly adopted by those living in Mnaug in Visayas or Mindanao, Philippines.

78. Marohom

It means ‘of the Sultan’ and refers to the Sultan in the Maranao region.

79. Milanay

This is a surname used by people of the Bicol region in the Philippines.

80. Oracion

This last name is derived from the Spanish word ‘oracion,’ meaning ‘prayer or sentence.’

81. Pabalat

The Filipino surname means ‘saddle, cover,’ or ‘saddle maker.’ It is believed to have been given to a boy by a Spanish surveyor in the late 19th century.

82. Pacquiao

This is the Hispanicized variant of Paquiao, and it means ‘wholesale’ in Cebuano. A notable personality with this surname is Manny Pacquiao, the former world boxing champion.

83. Panganiban

It means cautious or careful. It is a combination of the Tagalog word ‘panganib,’ meaning ‘danger’ and the suffix -an denoting action or cause.

84. Radiab

It is derived from the Maranao word ‘Radiyab,’ the name for the seventh month of the Islamic calendar.

85. Radiomoda

It means ‘young king.’ It is a Maaranao title that was traditionally used by sultans.

86. Salalila

It is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘sarira,’ meaning ‘body.’ It was the name of a rajah of the historical region of Maynila.

87. Salvador

It is a popular Christian name meaning ‘Savior.’ it has its usage in Filipino, Spanish, Catalan, Tagalog, and Portuguese regions.

88. Sicat

It is derived from the Tagalog word ‘sikat,’ meaning ‘rise to fame or appearance.’

89. Sioson

It is the Hokkien word for ‘small grandchild.’ It was probably used as a nickname and eventually transformed into a surname.

90. Suarez

The surname is an unaccented form of Suárez, meaning ‘son of Suero (blood, race, or family).’ It is a common surname in the Philippines and Latin America.

91. Sulu

It is a habitational name referring to someone from the sea in the Philippines. A notable bearer of the name is Hikaru Sulu, the fictional character from Star Trek.

92. Sumulong

This surname has its origin in Tagalog. It means ‘to advance’ or ‘to progress.’

93. Tanglao

Tanglao means light or illumination

Image: Shutterstock

It is derived from the Tagalog word ‘tanglaw,’ meaning ‘illumination or light.’

94. Tatlonghari

This refers to the biblical Magi or the Epiphany. It is a Tagalog word meaning ‘three kings.’

95. Tibayan

The Filipino surname Tibayan is a Tagalor word meaning ‘to strengthen’ or ‘to secure.’

96. Tolentino

The toponymic surname is derived from the name of a town in the province of Macerata in Italy.

97. Trinidad

This Philippino last name means ‘trinity,’ referring to the Holy Trinity in Spanish.

98. Valle

It is a habitational name, generally used by people living in any of the several places named ‘valle,’ meaning ‘valley.’

99. Valmorida

This means ‘valley of the forest field,’ and is a mix of Spanish and Japanese—‘val’ for ‘valley,’ ‘mor’ for ‘forest/ woods’ in Japanese, and ‘ta’ for ‘paddy/ field.’

100. Velasco

It is derived from a medieval name, Velasco or Belasco formed with ‘bel’ meaning ‘raven’ and a diminutive suffix’ -sco.’ It is also a habitational name used by people from any of the various places named Velasco in the Logrono, Soria, and Seville provinces.

Discover More Names

When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the traditional Filipino surnames?

Traditional Filipino surnames are those that were used before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers, such as Balagtas, Dimagiba, and Ilagan.

2. What is the meaning of the Filipino surname “Garcia”?

The Filipino surname “Garcia” is of Spanish origin, derived from the Basque adjective “garze(a)” which means “young” or “junior.”

3. What are some Filipino surnames derived from Spanish?

Many Filipino royal surnames are derived from Spanish during the Spanish colonial period, including surnames such as Santos, Reyes, Rodriguez, and Perez.

4. What are the rarest Filipino surnames?

Some rare Filipino surnames include Agulto, Catabay, Cerezo, and Duhaylungsod.

Our list of common Filipino surnames or last names has been used for centuries. These names sound exquisite and are still popularly used. It is interesting to learn the origins and variants of these names and the rich heritage they put forward just by using a single word. Filipino surnames are often highly representative of their country’s geography and culture. Lastly, these names are carried on for generations and are thus highly respected and tell a lot about every person’s family background without having to dig in at all.

Infographic: Common Filipino Last Names Or Surnames

The Philippines is well-known around the world for its natural beauty and rich biodiversity. It is common for anyone to fall in love with this country, and if you are someone who cannot get enough of the Philippines and its culture, the infographic below on famous Filipino surnames might interest you. So, keep scrolling.

popular filipino surnames (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

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Key Pointers

  • Filipino last names have multiple origins, including European, Asian, Middle Eastern, and American.
  • Many Filipino surnames come from the Spanish colonization and reflect the Spanish influence on the Philippines’ culture and language.
  • Some of the most popular Filipino surnames are Abe, Suarez, Fernandez, Elyas, and Manug.
common Filipino surnames or last names_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Learn about Filipino Spanish surnames and their history! Discover how these surnames have been passed down through generations and how they shape Filipino culture today.

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