Exploring the cultural tapestry of Mexico, we often find a rich mosaic of history woven into the very fabric of its people’s names. Among these, last names starting with the letter ‘U’ hold a unique place, blending indigenous roots with Spanish influences. This article delves into 100 Mexican last names that start with ‘U’, highlighting their meanings and origins. These surnames not only reflect the diverse linguistic heritage of Mexico but also offer a glimpse into the familial lineages that have shaped the nation’s identity over centuries.
100 Mexican Last Names That Start with U
While not as common as other initials, the letter ‘U’ brings forward a distinct collection of Mexican last names, each bearing its own story and significance. Below, we explore these surnames, unpacking the etymology and the historical context behind them. This list serves as a window into the lesser-known aspects of Mexican heritage, illustrating the rich diversity that each surname carries.
| Last Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ugalde | Derived from Basque, indicating someone from a ‘cold water’ region |
| Ugarte | From Basque ‘ugarte’, meaning ‘between mountains’ |
| Ulloa | Originating from a place name in Spain, common in Hispanic countries |
| Ureña | Denoting someone from places named Ureña in Spain |
| Uriarte | Basque origin, meaning ‘town of the water’ |
| Urias | Possibly a derivative of Uriah, a Hebrew name meaning ‘God is my light’ |
| Ulibarri | From Basque ‘uli’, meaning ‘town’, and ‘barri’, meaning ‘new’ |
| Ulises | Spanish form of Ulysses, indicating ‘wrathful’ |
| Umana | Variant of ‘humana’, symbolizing ‘human’ or ‘earthly’ |
| Urbano | Meaning ‘from the city’ or ‘urbane’ |
| Urrutia | Basque for ‘distant’ or ‘far’ |
| Urena | Variant of Ureña, referring to a location in Spain |
| Urbieta | Basque origin, meaning ‘next to the village’ |
| Urbina | From Basque ‘ur’, water and ‘bina’, vineyard |
| Urdiales | Indicating someone from areas named Urdiales in Spain |
| Uresti | Possibly a variant of Ureste, meaning ‘eastern’ |
| Uribe | Basque for ‘head of the village’ |
| Urtado | An altered form of Hurtado, meaning ‘foundling’ |
| Usquiano | Possibly a variant of Basque ‘uskiano’, from ‘uski’, meaning ‘water’ |
| Utrera | From a town in Spain, meaning someone from Utrera |
| Uvalle | Meaning ‘from the valley’ |
| Uxoa | Basque for ‘dove’ |
| Uzeta | Diminutive of ‘Uza’, a Basque surname |
| Urra | Basque term for ‘clay’ or ‘loam’ |
| Urtubi | Possibly a variation of Urtebi, a Basque name |
| Ulibarriaga | From Basque ‘uli’, town and ‘barriaga’, meaning ‘new area’ |
| Ulacia | Basque origin, related to ‘ula’, meaning ‘wave’ |
| Uc | Mayan origin, meaning ‘moon’ |
| Ugartechea | Compound Basque surname from ‘ugarte’ and ‘chea’, meaning ‘new mountain’ |
| Ulloque | Possibly a variant of Ulloa |
| Uriasoroz | Combination of Urias and ‘oroz’, Basque for ‘above’ |
| Ugaldez | Diminutive form of Ugalde |
| Ugartemendia | From Basque ‘ugarte’ and ‘mendia’, meaning ‘mountain’ |
| Urenda | A variant of Urena |
| Urrios | Possibly related to ‘urro’, a term for a promontory |
| Urtaza | Basque, possibly ‘place of nettles’ |
| Urdapilleta | Basque, from ‘urda’, meaning ‘water’ and ‘pilleta’, a small pool |
| Ustarroz | Basque for ‘new star’ |
| Ustarez | Variation of Ustarroz |
| Uribelarrea | From Basque ‘uri’, town, ‘bela’, crow, and ‘arrea’, the rock |
| Urruchi | Possibly a variant of Urrutia |
| Urtasun | Basque, meaning ‘between rivers’ |
| Urzua | Possibly derived from Urzúa in Spain |
| Usabiaga | Basque, from ‘usabi’, meaning ‘rabbit’ and ‘aga’, place |
| Uscanga | Possibly a variant of a Basque name indicating a place near water |
| Uturrioz | From Basque ‘uturri’, meaning ‘fountain’ or ‘spring’ |
| Urueta | Variant of Urrutia |
| Useta | Possibly a diminutive of a Basque name meaning ‘bird’ |
| Userralde | From Basque ‘userra’, meaning ‘east’ and ‘alde’, side |
| Unzueta | From Basque ‘unzu’, meaning ‘hill’ or ‘mound’ |
| Unda | Basque, meaning ‘wave’ |
| Urruela | Variant of Urrutia |
| Usandizaga | From Basque ‘usa’, meaning ‘water’ and ‘ndizaga’, meaning ‘near’ |
| Urruzola | From Basque ‘urru’, meaning ‘mud’ and ‘zola’, meaning ‘floor’ |
| Usarraga | Basque, meaning ‘place near the water’ |
| Urruzuno | Basque, possibly ‘place of cold water’ |
| Unamuno | From Basque ‘una’, meaning ‘hill’ and ‘muno’, meaning ‘common’ |
| Urrutikoetxea | Basque, meaning ‘old house’ |
| Uriaguereca | From Basque ‘uria’, town, and ‘guereca’, meaning ‘new’ |
| Ugarriza | From Basque ‘ugar’, meaning ‘water flow’ |
| Ulargui | Basque, possibly ‘place with many water’ |
| Urzainqui | From Basque ‘urzain’, meaning ‘forge’ and ‘qui’, meaning ‘place’ |
| Ustargi | Basque for ‘east’ |
| Uribarren | From Basque ‘uri’, town, and ‘barren’, meaning ‘edge’ |
| Ugaz | Basque, possibly ‘place of water’ |
| Uscola | Basque, meaning ‘eastern town’ |
| Ugaldo | Variant of Ugalde |
| Urigoen | Basque, meaning ‘upper region’ |
| Urmeneta | Basque, from ‘ur’, water and ‘meneta’, meaning ‘small mountain’ |
| Ullibarri | Variant of Ulibarri |
| Urbiaga | From Basque ‘ur’, water and ‘biaga’, meaning ‘area’ |
| Uzquiano | Possibly a variant of Usquiano |
| Urrabarri | Basque, meaning ‘new town’ |
| Urcelay | Basque, possibly ‘place with cold water’ |
| Urroz | From Basque ‘urro’, meaning ‘red’ |
| Urquidi | Basque, possibly ‘place of birches’ |
| Ullibarrea | Variant of Uribelarrea |
| Uribesalgo | From Basque ‘uri’, town, ‘besa’, low, and ‘algo’, meaning ‘place’ |
| Urzabal | Basque, from ‘ur’, water and ‘zabal’, meaning ‘wide’ |
| Urgarte | Variant of Ugarte |
| Urrizaga | From Basque ‘urri’, meaning ‘stone’ and ‘zaga’, meaning ‘behind’ |
| Usagarre | Basque, meaning ‘eastern place’ |
| Ullivarri | Variant of Ulibarri |
| Urtecho | Basque, possibly ‘place of year’ |
| Urtizberea | Basque, meaning ‘new land’ |
| Uzkanga | Basque, meaning ‘water place’ |
| Urrutiazu | A combination of Urrutia and Basque ‘azu’, meaning ‘water’ |
| Ureta | Possibly a variation of Ureta, meaning ‘small stream’ |
| Urechaga | From Basque ‘ure’, meaning ‘water’ and ‘chaga’, meaning ‘place’ |
| Uspal | Basque, meaning ‘east’ |
| Urgell | From Catalan, meaning ‘water valley’ |
| Usandivaras | From Basque ‘usandi’, meaning ‘usage’ and ‘varas’, meaning ‘measuring stick’ |
| Urcid | Basque, possibly ‘place of stones’ |
| Uralde | Basque, meaning ‘water town’ |
| Urazandi | Basque, meaning ‘place of water’ |
| Urdanpilleta | Basque, from ‘urdan’, meaning ‘water’ and ‘pilleta’, a small pool |
| Usua | Basque, meaning ‘usage’ |
| Uzarraga | From Basque ‘uzar’, meaning ‘hare’ and ‘raga’, meaning ‘place’ |
Conclusion
The last names beginning with ‘U’ in the Mexican lexicon are few but fascinating, each carrying deep historical and linguistic significance. By understanding the origins and meanings of these names, we gain deeper insights into the cultural narratives and regional histories of Mexico. This exploration not only enriches our appreciation of Mexican heritage but also underscores the diversity that exists within a seemingly small segment of surnames. Through such detailed examination, we celebrate the broader tapestry of identities that shape the nation’s cultural landscape.
