Last Name Guerrero

The surname "Guerrero" is of Spanish origin. It translates to "warrior" or "soldier" in English and is derived from the Latin word "bellator," meaning fighter or warrior. This surname was often given to soldiers, especially those who had distinguished themselves in battle, during the Middle Ages in Spain. The name spread to other Spanish-speaking regions as a result of colonization and migration. Today, it is a common last name in many Spanish-speaking countries, including Mexico, Spain, and some Latin American countries.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Guerrero

The meaning and origin of the last name Guerrero

The surname Guerrero is of Spanish origin, stemming from the Latin word "bellum" (war) or its derivative "guerra" (war). It was originally given to individuals who were skilled fighters or warriors, serving as a sign of their bravery and martial prowess. Over time, it became a common surname in Spain, particularly among those with Moorish ancestry or those who had distinguished themselves in battle against the invading forces. The name was later brought to the Americas by Spanish colonizers, where it remains prevalent in many countries, especially Mexico and several Central American nations. Today, Guerrero is a widely recognized surname across Latin America, with numerous notable individuals bearing this name in various fields such as politics, arts, and sports.

Geographical distribution of the last name Guerrero

The surname Guerrero is primarily distributed across Latin America, most notably in Mexico, where it ranks among the top 10 most common last names. A significant portion of people with this surname reside in the states of Guerrero, Michoacán, Jalisco, and Morelos in Mexico. Beyond Mexico, the name is also prevalent in other Spanish-speaking countries such as Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico. In these regions, Guerrero is often associated with a warrior or soldier, reflecting its origins from the Spanish word for "warrior" or "soldier." While its distribution is predominantly in Latin America, there are also Guerrero families in other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora.

Variants and spellings of the last name Guerrero

The surname "Guerrero" has several variations and spellings in English. Some common ones include Warrior, Guerra, Guerreau, Guerrier, Guerrey, Guerry, Guevara (which is more commonly used), Guevera, and Guehier. These variations are due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciation. In Spanish, the name Guerrero is masculine, meaning "warrior." It is a relatively common surname in Mexico, Central America, Spain, and other Spanish-speaking countries. The feminine form of the name is Guerrero, which means "warlike woman" or "female warrior." In some cases, the name may also be spelled as Guerra (singular) or Guerreras (plural), which are more neutral terms meaning "war" and "wars" respectively.

Famous people with the last name Guerrero

Notable individuals with the surname Guerrero include:

1. Eva Guerrero Alcocer, a Mexican politician who served as Governor of the State of Puebla from 2006 to 2012.

2. Héctor Guerrero, a Cuban-American violinist, conductor, and music educator. He has been Music Director of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra and is currently Professor of Orchestral Conducting at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music.

3. Jorge Guerrero, a Mexican-born American actor who played Detective Joe Dominguez on the Fox series 24.

4. Julio César Guerrero (El Caballo), a former professional boxer from Ecuador. He held the WBA Flyweight title twice and was ranked as the world's best active flyweight by The Ring magazine in 2003.

5. Rafael Guerrero, a Mexican artist who is considered one of the most important artists of the Mexican School of Painting. He won the Gold Medal at the 1867 Exposition Universelle in Paris for his work "El regreso de la Libertad."

6. Raúl Guerrero (RVD), a professional wrestler and former World Heavyweight Champion, originally from Puerto Rico but primarily known for his work in WWE.

7. Carlos Guerrero Zalaquett, a Chilean lawyer and human rights activist who was the first Director of the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights. He played a key role in drafting the American Convention on Human Rights and establishing the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Genealogical research on the last name Guerrero

The surname Guerrero is of Spanish origin, deriving from the Latin word "bellum" meaning war or battle. It is primarily found in Spain and countries with significant Spanish influence, such as Mexico, Peru, Colombia, and the Philippines. In medieval Spain, it was often given to a child born during a military campaign or conflict, symbolizing victory.

In Mexico, the Guerrero state is named after the surname, indicating its prominence among the native population. Notable figures with the Guerrero surname in Mexico include Emiliano Zapata, a key figure in the Mexican Revolution, and Ana Patricia Ulchysnka Guerrero, a renowned actress and singer. In Spain, notable Guerreros include Diego de Guerrero, a composer during the Renaissance period.

In the Philippines, the Guerrero family was instrumental in the country's independence movement. Josefa Llanes-Guerrero, known as "The Mother of Philippine Heroism," and her husband Maximo Viola Guerrero were recognized for their role in the propagation of revolutionary ideals during the Philippine Revolution against Spain.

Thus, the Guerrero surname carries a rich historical background, reflecting courage, resilience, and leadership across different cultures and time periods.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Guerrero"
• 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 : 11 June 2025

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