Hispanic last names carry a rich cultural heritage and history, often reflecting the regions, occupations, and characteristics of the families that bear them. Among these, last names starting with the letter C are particularly notable for their diversity and significance. From names that denote geographical origins to those that describe personal traits or professions, these surnames offer a glimpse into the lives and legacies of Hispanic communities. In this article, we explore 100 Hispanic last names that start with C, delving into their meanings and origins to uncover the stories they tell.
100 Hispanic Last Names That Start with C
The exploration of Hispanic last names starting with C reveals a tapestry of cultural and historical narratives. Each surname carries with it a piece of history, whether it be from a specific region, a particular occupation, or a unique personal characteristic. These names not only identify individuals but also connect them to their heritage and ancestry. By understanding the meanings and origins of these surnames, we gain a deeper appreciation for the rich diversity and enduring legacy of Hispanic cultures. The names listed in this article are just a small representation of the vast array of Hispanic surnames that continue to be passed down through generations, preserving the stories and traditions of the past.
| Last Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cabrera | From places meaning ‘place of goats’ |
| Caballero | Means ‘knight’ in Spanish |
| Cabello | Means ‘hair’ in Spanish |
| Cadena | Means ‘chain’ in Spanish |
| Caldera | Means ‘cauldron’ in Spanish |
| Calderon | Derived from ‘cauldron’, occupational name for someone who made or traded in cauldrons |
| Camacho | Possibly derived from ‘camacho’ meaning ‘linnet robin’ |
| Camarena | Possibly derived from ‘camara’ meaning ‘chamber’ |
| Camarillo | Possibly derived from ‘camara’ meaning ‘chamber’ |
| Campos | Means ‘fields’ in Spanish |
| Canales | Means ‘channels’ or ‘canals’ in Spanish |
| Candelaria | Refers to Candlemas or someone from Candelaria |
| Cano | Means ‘white-haired’ or possibly ‘reed’ |
| Cantú | Possibly from the Italian town of Cantù |
| Cárdenas | From towns named Cárdenas, derived from ‘cárdeno’ meaning ‘blue’ or ‘purple’ |
| Cardona | From the town of Cardona in Barcelona |
| Cardoso | Means ‘thorny’ in Portuguese and Spanish |
| Carmona | From the city of Carmona in Andalusia |
| Carranza | From the town of Karrantza in Basque Country |
| Carrasquillo | Diminutive of Carrasco, meaning ‘holm oak’ |
| Carreon | Possibly derived from ‘carreño’ meaning ‘cart driver’ |
| Carrera | Means ‘race’ or ‘career’ in Spanish |
| Carrero | Means ‘carter’ or ‘carrier’ in Spanish |
| Carrillo | Means ‘cheek’ or ‘jaw’ in Spanish |
| Carrion | From the town of Carrión in Spain |
| Carro | Means ‘cart’ or ‘wagon’ in Spanish |
| Carruba | Possibly from ‘algarroba’ meaning ‘carob’ |
| Carvajal | From places named Carbajal, meaning ‘oak grove’ |
| Casanova | Means ‘new house’ in Spanish and Italian |
| Casares | From places named Casares in Spain |
| Casas | Means ‘houses’ in Spanish |
| Casillas | Means ‘small houses’ in Spanish |
| Cassanova | Variant of Casanova, means ‘new house’ |
| Castaneda | From ‘castaña’ meaning ‘chestnut’ |
| Castellanos | Means ‘Castilian’ in Spanish |
| Castellano | Means ‘Castilian’ in Spanish |
| Castillo | Means ‘castle’ in Spanish |
| Castro | Means ‘castle’ or ‘fortress’ in Spanish and Portuguese |
| Cavazos | Possibly derived from ‘cava’ meaning ‘cave’ or ‘cellar’ |
| Cazares | Possibly derived from ‘César’ |
| Ceballos | Variant of Zaballos, possibly meaning ‘wide’ |
| Cedillo | Diminutive of ‘cedo’ meaning ‘early’ |
| Ceja | Means ‘eyebrow’ in Spanish |
| Cepeda | From the town of Cepeda in Spain |
| Cerda | Means ‘bristle’ in Spanish |
| Cervantes | Possibly from ‘servant’ or ‘stag’ |
| Cervantez | Variant of Cervantes |
| Chacon | Means ‘jacket’ in Old Spanish |
| Chapa | Means ‘sheet metal’ or ‘badge’ in Spanish |
| Chavarria | Variant of Echevarría, means ‘new house’ |
| Chavez | Patronymic from the given name Chave |
| Chavira | Possibly derived from ‘chivo’ meaning ‘goat’ |
| Cisneros | From the town of Cisneros in Spain |
| Collado | Means ‘hill’ in Spanish |
| Collazo | Possibly from ‘collazo’ meaning ‘foster brother’ |
| Colon | Means ‘settler’ or ‘colonist’ in Spanish |
| Colunga | From the town of Colunga in Spain |
| Concepcion | Means ‘conception’ in Spanish |
| Contreras | From the town of Contreras in Spain |
| Cordero | Means ‘lamb’ in Spanish |
| Cordova | From the city of Córdoba in Spain |
| Cortes | Means ‘courteous’ or ‘polite’ in Spanish |
| Cortez | Variant of Cortes |
| Cotto | Possibly means ‘cooked’ in Spanish |
| Cruz | Means ‘cross’ in Spanish |
| Cuellar | From the town of Cuéllar in Spain |
| Cuevas | Means ‘caves’ in Spanish |
| Curiel | From the town of Curiel in Spain |
| Caro | Means ‘dear’ or ‘beloved’ in Spanish |
| Carrasco | Means ‘holm oak’ in Spanish |
Conclusion
The exploration of Hispanic last names starting with C reveals a tapestry of cultural and historical narratives. Each surname carries with it a piece of history, whether it be from a specific region, a particular occupation, or a unique personal characteristic. These names not only identify individuals but also connect them to their heritage and ancestry. By understanding the meanings and origins of these surnames, we gain a deeper appreciation for the rich diversity and enduring legacy of Hispanic cultures. The names listed in this article are just a small representation of the vast array of Hispanic surnames that continue to be passed down through generations, preserving the stories and traditions of the past.
