The surname Hernandez is of Spanish origin and derives from the masculine given name Hernando, which is a variant of Erano (from the Germanic elements 'eran' meaning "rule" or "ruler", and 'hild', meaning "battle"). Over time, it became common practice in Spain to adopt occupational names, often derived from the father's occupation. In this case, Hernandez is a patronymic surname that means "son of Hernando". It is one of the most common Spanish surnames due to its widespread usage throughout the Iberian Peninsula.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Herandez
The meaning and origin of the last name Herandez
The surname Hernandez is a Spanish patronymic name derived from the given name Hernando, which originated as a short form of Hermando or Ermano, both derived from the Germanic name Hermann. The name Hermann consists of two elements: heri (army) and mann (man), meaning "army leader" or "soldier."
The surname Hernandez, which translates to "son of Hernando," became widely popular in Spain during the Middle Ages due to the common use of patronymic naming practices. Over time, it was brought to the Americas by Spanish colonizers and explorers, where it remains a common surname among populations of Spanish descent. Today, Hernandez is one of the most frequent surnames in Mexico, as well as other Spanish-speaking countries such as Spain, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.
Geographical distribution of the last name Herandez
The surname Hernandez is predominantly distributed across Spanish-speaking countries, particularly Mexico and Spain, due to their historical roots. It is one of the most common surnames in Mexico, reflecting its indigenous heritage, with over 900,000 bearers, according to the Mexican National Institute of Statistics and Geography. In Spain, it is also a popular surname, particularly in regions like Andalusia and Extremadura, although it ranks lower than in Mexico. The name has also been dispersed among Spanish-speaking populations worldwide due to migration, with significant numbers in the United States, primarily in Texas, California, and Florida. In the United States, Hernandez is the 38th most common surname, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Variants and spellings of the last name Herandez
The surname Hernandez has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transliteration from Spanish to other languages and historical regional pronunciations. Some common variations include:
* Hernández (most frequent)
* Hernandes, Hernandez, Hernandes (less frequent; these forms may be found in Portuguese-speaking countries or among Spanish speakers who use this spelling due to personal preference or errors)
* Herrandez, Hyrndez (less common misspellings)
Additionally, the name has been anglicized and modified in various ways over time, such as:
These variations reflect the fusion of family names that is common in Spanish-speaking cultures. The surname Hernandez derives from the given name Hernando, which was originally a combination of the Germanic elements "hari" (army) and "nand" (graceful youth), and has been popular in Spain since the Middle Ages.
Famous people with the last name Herandez
Notable individuals with the surname Hernandez include:
1. Victor Hugo Ernesto Manuel de Jesús Martínez Hernández (born 1972), popularly known as Victor Martinez, a former Major League Baseball player who played for teams such as Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics. He was a three-time All-Star and won multiple Silver Slugger awards.
2. Javier Hernandez Chong (born 1988), professionally known as Chicharito, is a Mexican professional footballer who plays as a striker for MLS club LA Galaxy and the Mexico national team. He is renowned for his goal-scoring ability and was named FIFA Young Player of the Year in 2010.
3. Johan Alfonso Hernandez (born 1968), better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper and actor who gained popularity in the mid-1990s with albums like "Jealous One's Envy" and "Don Cartagena."
4. Jennifer Lopez Hernandez (born 1969), commonly known as J.Lo, is an American singer, actress, dancer, and producer who has been a prominent figure in the entertainment industry since the mid-1990s. Some of her most notable works include the films "Selena" and "Hustlers," as well as hit songs like "Jenny from the Block."
5. Pablo Francisco Hernandez (born 1971), a Mexican-American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer, known for his unique observational comedy style that combines surreal imagery with everyday situations.
Genealogical research on the last name Herandez
The surname Hernandez, derived from the Spanish word for "son of Hernando," is one of the most common Spanish-language surnames worldwide, particularly in Spain and Latin America. It originated during the Middle Ages as a patronymic name, denoting a son of Hernando. In Spain, it's commonly found in regions such as Castile, Andalusia, and Extremadura. In Latin America, it is prevalent in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and numerous Central and South American countries due to the historical Spanish colonization. Notable individuals with the surname Hernandez include Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, and tennis player Andy Roddick, who has partial Spanish heritage. The name's distribution and frequency suggest a widespread ancestry, likely stemming from the period of Spanish conquest and colonization.
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 :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The last name "Herak" is of Hungarian origin. It comes from the Hungarian personal name "Heraklész," which is the Hungarian form of the name Heracles, who was a mythical hero in G...
The last name "Heral" originated as a French surname, derived from the Old French word "herault" meaning "herald" or "messenger." It is likely that the surname was originally occup...
The surname "Heras" has multiple possible origins depending on the region and country. In some cases, it may be a variant of the Spanish surname "Herrera," which is derived from th...
Herasimava is a surname of Belarusian origin. It is a variation of the surname "Herasimovich," which is derived from the given name "Herasim." The suffix "-ovich" or "-ova" is a co...
The last name Herasimczuk is of Ukrainian origin. It is derived from the Ukrainian given name Herasym, which is the Ukrainian form of the Greek name Hieronymos, meaning "sacred nam...
Herasymchuk is a Ukrainian surname. It is derived from the Ukrainian first name Herasym, which is a variation of the name Hieronymus, meaning "sacred name" or "holy name" in Greek....
The last name "Herat" has its origins in Iran and Afghanistan. It is derived from the name of a city in Afghanistan called Herat. People with the last name "Herat" may have ancesto...
The last name "Herata" is of Japanese origin. It is derived from the Japanese words "he" meaning "sun" and "rata" meaning "field" or "origin", suggesting a connection to the sun or...
The last name "Herath Mudiyanselage" is of Sri Lankan origin. "Herath" is a common surname in Sri Lanka, often used by members of the Sinhalese ethnic group. "Mudiyanselage" is a t...
The last name Herati is of Iranian origin, specifically from the city of Herat in modern-day Afghanistan. It is likely a surname denoting someone from or associated with this city.
The surname Herbaut originates from France and is derived from the Old French word "herbe" meaning "grass" or "green plants," and "baut" meaning "high." It was often given as an oc...
The surname "Herbaut-de-Saint-Just" is a French patronymic and locative surname, meaning "herbert" (a diminutive of Herbert, a Germanic personal name) from the region or place name...
The surname Herbel is of German origin. It comes from a local name for someone who lived by a place where herbs grew, derived from Middle High German "herbele" meaning "herb, spice...
