Spanish surnames and why we don’t know who you’re talking about

By María C. Scanga, M.A. (RTVMP), J.D.

In English-speaking countries the “family” name is usually called the “last” name. In Spanish-speaking countries the “last” name is NOT the “family name.

In Spanish-speaking countries people generally use two surnames. The first is the father’s surname; the second is the mother’s. The father’s surname is the family name and it is passed on to the children. (The “family” name will be shown in all caps in these examples.) Thus, if Alberto GARCÍA Rubio and Carmen HARO Santillana have a son called Alejandro, he will be called Alejandro GARCÍA Haro. Read more…