Last Name Cano

The surname "Cano" is of Spanish and Portuguese origin. It comes from the Old Occitan word "can", which means 'dog' or 'cane'. In some cases, it may have been a metonymic occupational name for someone who kept dogs, or a nickname for a fierce or quarrelsome person. As the Spanish and Portuguese explorers and colonizers spread across the globe, they brought their surnames with them, including "Cano". This surname can now be found in many countries, not just Spain and Portugal.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cano

The meaning and origin of the last name Cano

The surname Cano has origins rooted in several regions across Europe. In Spain, it is derived from the Latin word "cana" which means reed or cane. This name was often given to someone who lived by a marshy area where canes grew abundantly. In other parts of Europe, such as France and Italy, the surname Cano may have different origins but has similar meanings related to canes or reeds due to the similarities in the Latin languages of these regions. The name Cano is also found in Portugal and Brazil, where it likely arrived with Spanish settlers and explorers during the colonial period. Today, individuals with the surname Cano can be found across the globe, reflecting its long history and widespread dissemination.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cano

The surname Cano is predominantly distributed across Spain, primarily in regions such as Castile-Leon, Valencia, and Andalusia, where it represents a significant percentage of the population. Additionally, there are substantial populations of people with the last name Cano in areas with high Spanish immigration, including various countries in Latin America, particularly Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina. In the United States, the Cano surname is commonly found in states with a high Hispanic or Latino population, such as California, Texas, Florida, and New York. It's also worth noting that small populations of people with the Cano last name can be found across various parts of Europe due to historical migration patterns, as well as other countries around the world where Spanish immigrants have settled.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cano

The surname Cano has several variations and spellings across different regions and cultures. Some common variations include Canho, Canhu, Cane, Cana, Caño, Canoe, and Kanu. These variations can be found in countries such as Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, and the Philippines. In some cases, these names may also have alternative spellings due to the phonetic transcription of the name when it was transcribed from one language to another. For example, Cano might be spelled as Kanu in certain African languages. Additionally, surnames like Cane and Canoe are more commonly found in English-speaking countries and originate from a different etymology than the Spanish or Portuguese Cano. Regardless of the spelling, all these names share the common root 'Can', which is derived from the Latin word for dog, "canis."

Famous people with the last name Cano

Juan Pablo Cano (born 1976), a Colombian singer-songwriter known professionally as Maluma, has gained international fame for his Latin trap and reggaeton music. He released his debut album "Magia" in 2012 and went on to achieve significant commercial success with subsequent releases such as "Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy" (2015), "F.A.M.E." (2018), and "Papi Juancho" (2020). Cano has worked with numerous high-profile artists including Ricky Martin, Shakira, and J Balvin.

Juan Cano (1937–2015) was a Spanish architect who co-founded the architectural firm Arquia with his brother José Rafael Cano in 1968. Their most renowned project is Madrid's Cuatro Torres Business Area, the tallest skyscraper complex in Spain. Cano also designed buildings throughout Europe and South America, earning him numerous awards including the RIBA Royal Gold Medal in 2013.

These individuals are among the most notable persons sharing the surname Cano.

Genealogical research on the last name Cano

The surname Cano originates from the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Spain. It is a patronymic name derived from the personal name "Cán," which was borne by several early Christian saints and martyrs. The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the Late Middle Ages, with prominent figures such as Gonzalo Cano, a nobleman mentioned in a document from 1254, and Pedro Cano, a knight who served in the court of King Enrique III de Castilla during the 14th century. The Cano family is closely associated with the region of Extremadura, particularly the cities of Trujillo and Cáceres, where they have been prominent figures in politics, religion, and culture since the Middle Ages. Today, the Cano surname is widely distributed throughout Spain, with significant numbers also found in Latin America due to historical migration patterns.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Cano"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 10 June 2025

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