Exploring the rich tapestry of Mexican heritage often begins with a name. Last names, or apellidos, are more than just identifiers in Mexican culture; they are a celebration of history and lineage. Those beginning with the letter ‘I’ are particularly intriguing due to their rarity and unique etymological roots. This article delves into 100 Mexican last names starting with ‘I’, providing a glimpse into the stories and meanings behind these distinctive surnames. Whether you’re researching your ancestry or just curious about Mexican names, this list will offer valuable insights into the fascinating world of Hispanic nomenclature.
100 Mexican Last Names That Start with I
Mexican last names starting with the letter ‘I’ are uncommon, which makes them particularly interesting to explore. These names often originate from indigenous languages, Spanish, or other influences that highlight Mexico’s diverse cultural history. The following table not only lists 100 such last names but also provides meanings or origins where possible, offering a deeper understanding of each name’s significance and background.
| Last Name | Meaning/Origin |
|---|---|
| Ibarra | From the Spanish term for ‘meadow’ or ‘grassland’ |
| Ibanez | Son of Iván (Spanish for John) |
| Ibarria | Possibly a variant of Ibarra |
| Iglesias | From ‘churches’, often given to someone living near a church |
| Izquierdo | From the Spanish for ‘left’, possibly denoting a characteristic |
| Infante | Derived from ‘infant’, often used for someone of noble descent |
| Iriarte | From Basque, meaning ‘among the ferns’ |
| Izaguirre | Basque origin, meaning ‘from the hill’ |
| Ibarrola | From Basque ‘ibar’, meaning ‘valley’ |
| Iniguez | Son of Íñigo |
| Iñarritu | Basque, from ‘iñar’, meaning ‘slope’ plus ‘itu’, meaning ‘exit’ |
| Irigoyen | Basque, from ‘iri’, meaning ‘town’ and ‘goien’, meaning ‘upper’ |
| Ixta | Possibly derived from Nahuatl, meaning ‘white’ |
| Iturbe | Basque for ‘by the fountain’ |
| Iturralde | Basque, meaning ‘valley’ |
| Iturria | Basque for ‘spring’ or ‘source’ |
| Islas | From ‘islands’, perhaps for someone who lived near a river or water body |
| Izar | Basque for ‘star’ |
| Irazu | Possibly from Basque, meaning ‘fern-covered’ |
| Izarduy | Basque, meaning ‘beneath the stars’ |
| Idiáquez | Basque, meaning ‘from the oak grove’ |
| Inza | Basque, meaning ‘pasture’ |
| Iriarte | Basque, meaning ‘old field’ |
| Icaza | Basque, from ‘iza’, meaning ‘willow’ |
| Iturbide | Basque, meaning ‘water divider’ |
| Ibarlucea | Combination of ‘Ibarra’ and ‘lucea’, a Basque suffix meaning ‘light’ |
| Iman | From Arabic ‘Iman’, meaning ‘faith’ |
| Ituarte | Basque, meaning ‘near the door’ |
| Intzi | Basque, from ‘entzi’, a type of grass |
| Iguaran | Basque, meaning ‘from the valley’ |
| Inojosa | Possibly a variant of Hinojosa, meaning ‘place with abundant holly’ |
| Ilarregui | Basque, from ‘ilar’, meaning ‘fern’ |
| Iznaola | Basque, meaning ‘from the foot of the mountain’ |
| Iruretagoiena | Basque, meaning ‘from the new town’ |
| Irala | Basque, meaning ‘slope’ |
| Iralabarri | Basque, combining ‘Irala’ and ‘barri’, meaning ‘new’ |
| Isasti | Basque, meaning ‘island’ |
| Ithurralde | Basque, variant of Iturralde |
| Ipiña | Basque, from ‘ipin’, meaning ‘thorn’ |
| Igartua | Basque, meaning ‘height’ |
| Ibarreche | Basque, combining ‘Ibarra’ and ‘etxe’, meaning ‘house’ |
| Igartiburu | Basque, meaning ‘central hill’ |
| Irazabal | Basque, from ‘ira’, meaning ‘fern’ plus ‘zabal’, meaning ‘wide’ |
| Isorna | Possibly a variant of a location-based name |
| Igoa | Basque, meaning ‘from the hill’ |
| Iparraguirre | Basque, combining ‘ipar’, meaning ‘north’ and ‘aguirre’, meaning ‘field’ |
| Inoriza | Basque, possibly from ‘inoiz’, meaning ‘never’ |
| Inzunza | Basque, meaning ‘pasture place’ |
| Inarrea | Basque, meaning ‘lower part of the valley’ |
| Indurain | Basque, possibly from ‘indur’, meaning ‘clay’ |
| Inurrieta | Basque, from ‘inurri’, meaning ‘ant’ |
| Ijurko | Basque, possibly a variant of a more common Basque name |
| Isusko | Basque, possibly from ‘isu’, a type of shrub |
| Ipuzcoa | Basque, a variation on the province of Gipuzkoa |
| Igarondo | Basque, meaning ’round yew’ |
| Inzaurraga | Basque, meaning ‘old rock’ |
| Ipiens | Basque, possibly a variant spelling for a more common surname |
| Izal | Basque, meaning ‘juniper’ |
| Izana | Basque, a rare name possibly related to ‘Izan’, meaning ‘to be’ |
| Irujo | Basque, possibly from ‘iru’, meaning ‘three’ |
| Ibero | Basque, relating to the Ebro river |
| Izko | Basque, possibly a shortened form of a longer name |
| Ilizaliturri | Basque, meaning ‘by the church’ |
| Icuza | Basque, variant of Icaza |
| Ilarduya | Basque, meaning ‘wide field’ |
| Ibarguren | Basque, meaning ‘hot valley’ |
| Irazoki | Basque, meaning ‘new fern’ |
| Irusta | Basque, possibly from ‘rust’, an old measure of land |
| Irazusta | Basque, a combination of ‘Ira’, ‘fern’, and ‘zusta’, ‘abundance’ |
| Iceta | Basque, possibly related to ‘ice’ or ‘frost’ |
| Ibarrolaburu | Basque, combining ‘Ibarra’, ‘valley’, and ‘buru’, ‘head’ |
| Igozabal | Basque, meaning ‘above the hill’ |
| Itxaro | Basque, meaning ‘hope’ |
| Itzaina | Basque, meaning ‘the shepherd’ |
| Irigoien | Basque, meaning ‘new town’ |
| Ilundain | Basque, possibly from ‘ilun’, meaning ‘dark’ |
| Ilarreta | Basque, meaning ‘place of ferns’ |
| Insausti | Basque, meaning ‘unsalted’ |
| Iturrioz | Basque, meaning ‘new fountain’ |
| Izeda | Basque, possibly related to ‘Izadi’, meaning ‘nature’ |
| Iztueta | Basque, from ‘iztu’, a type of basket |
| Inurrita | Basque, from ‘inurri’, meaning ‘ant’ |
| Inzola | Basque, meaning ‘charcoal place’ |
| Inaudi | Basque, possibly from ‘inaudible’, referring to a quiet place |
| Intxaurraga | Basque, meaning ‘walnut place’ |
| Igerabide | Basque, meaning ‘water path’ |
| Iguiniz | Basque, possibly from ‘iguini’, an old personal name |
| Iturgaiz | Basque, meaning ‘between waters’ |
| Itoiz | Basque, possibly from ‘ito’, meaning ‘drown’ |
| Iturraldi | Basque, meaning ‘wide valley’ |
| Iturribarria | Basque, from ‘iturri’, ‘fountain’, and ‘barria’, ‘new’ |
| Iraola | Basque, from ‘ira’, meaning ‘fern’ |
| Iturraldegorta | Basque, a compound meaning ‘short valley’ |
| Iturraspe | Basque, from ‘iturr’, ‘fountain’, and ‘aspe’, ‘rough’ |
| Isquiza | Basque, possibly a variant of ‘Izquierdo’, meaning ‘left’ |
| Iramendi | Basque, meaning ‘mountain fern’ |
| Irazoqui | Basque, meaning ‘fern hill’ |
| Izazpi | Basque, meaning ‘seven’ |
| Izarpe | Basque, meaning ‘starry’ |
Conclusion
Delving into the origins and meanings of last names starting with ‘I’ in Mexican culture offers an enlightening peek into the country’s linguistic and historical diversity. Each surname carries with it a story, a piece of heritage that ties individuals to their ancestors and their communities. As we explore these 100 last names, we uncover a mosaic of influences that range from indigenous to colonial, each adding depth and color to the Mexican identity. Whether these names help in tracing familial lines or enriching one’s understanding of Mexican culture, they remain a testament to the enduring legacy of its people.
