Last Name Faña

Learn more about the origin of the last name Faña

The meaning and origin of the last name Faña

The surname Faña is of Spanish origin, specifically from the northern region of Galicia. It derives from the word "fana," which means "shrine" or "sanctuary." In the Middle Ages, it was common for people who lived near a shrine to adopt names reflecting their geographical location or association with the religious site. Over time, variations such as Fanás, Fañas, and Faña-Ruiz have emerged due to surname changes like patronymics (adding a father's name) or matronymics (adding a mother's name). Today, the Faña surname can be found among the Galician and Spanish populations, with some descendants living in other parts of the world as a result of migration.

Geographical distribution of the last name Faña

The surname Faña, while relatively uncommon, has its highest concentration in Galicia, a region in northwestern Spain. It is particularly prevalent in provinces such as A Coruña, Lugo, and Pontevedra, where it represents a significant portion of the population. Galician immigrants have also spread the name to other Spanish regions like Madrid and Barcelona, as well as South America, particularly Argentina and Chile, due to historical migration patterns. Additionally, Faña is found in smaller numbers across various European countries, with France being one of the destinations where the name has appeared. While not widespread globally, the distribution of the surname Faña reflects the historic ties between Galicia and other regions, as well as the diaspora of Galician immigrants.

Variants and spellings of the last name Faña

The surname Faña can have several variations and spellings due to differences in pronunciation, spelling conventions, and regional dialects. Some of these variations include Fana, Fane, Faná, Fañà, Fañaá, Fanha, Fania, Fanea, and others. These alterations may also be the result of misinterpretations or errors made over time by scribes or record keepers. Despite these variations, they all share a common origin and are derived from the same root name. It is always important to note that spelling can vary depending on language and regional dialects, thus multiple spellings may be found for the same surname.

Famous people with the last name Faña

Notable individuals bearing the surname Faña include:

1. Francisco Javier Faña (b. 1974), a Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for clubs such as Real Madrid, Valencia, and Mallorca. He also represented the Spain national team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008.

2. Miguel Faña (b. 1983), a Spanish retired footballer who played as a midfielder. He spent most of his career with Racing de Santander, making over 250 appearances for the club in all competitions.

3. María Jesús Faña Serrano (b. 1969), a Spanish politician and journalist. She has served as a member of the Congress of Deputies representing the Socialist Party since 2016, and was the first female president of Galician Radio Televisión (RTVG) from 2011 to 2015.

4. José Antonio Faña Fernández (b. 1958), a Spanish professional football manager and former player. He managed several clubs in Spain, including Racing de Santander, Levante, and CD Numancia. As a player, he represented various teams including Real Valladolid and Racing de Santander.

5. Eduardo Faña (b. 1967), a Spanish professional golfer who has played on the European Tour since 1990. He has won five tournaments on the tour and represented Spain at the Ryder Cup in 2010.

Genealogical research on the last name Faña

The Faña surname originates from the Basque region, specifically the provinces of Guipúzcoa and Vizcaya, in Spain and the neighboring French Basque Country. It is one of the oldest Basque surnames, with documented appearances dating back to the 13th century. The name Faña is believed to be a toponymic surname, derived from various locations bearing this name within the Basque region. Over time, the spelling of the surname has evolved due to phonetic changes and regional dialects, with variants including Fana, Fane, and Phana. Some notable bearers of the Faña surname include Juan de Faña, a Spanish naval officer who fought against the British during the Seven Years' War, and José Antonio Faña, a Basque painter known for his landscapes and portraits. Today, the Faña family is primarily found in the Basque Country, Navarra, and other parts of Spain, as well as in Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, and the United States, where many Basques immigrated during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Faña"
• 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 : 13 June 2025