NomOrigine Background

Last Name Manalo

What is the origin of the last name Manalo?

Manalo is a Filipino surname of Tagalog origin. It is derived from the Tagalog word "manalo," which means "to win" or "to be victorious." The surname may have originated from a person who was known for being successful, victorious, or lucky. Manalo is a common surname in the Philippines, particularly among those of Tagalog descent.

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Learn more about the origin of the last name Manalo

The meaning and origin of the last name Manalo

Manalo is a surname of Spanish origin, derived from the word "mano" which means "hand" in Spanish. The surname is believed to have been given to someone who was a skilled craftsman or artisan, known for their handiwork. It is a relatively common surname in the Philippines, likely introduced during the Spanish colonial period. The name may have been adopted by Filipino families who were involved in various trades and professions that required manual dexterity, such as carpentry, metalworking, or jewelry making. Over time, the surname Manalo has been passed down through generations, preserving the legacy of skilled craftsmanship and hard work within Filipino families. Today, individuals with the surname Manalo can be found in various parts of the Philippines and around the world, continuing to uphold the reputation of their ancestors as skilled artisans.

Geographical distribution of the last name Manalo

The last name Manalo is predominantly found in the Philippines, specifically in the provinces of Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, and Manila. It is a common surname among Filipino families, with a significant concentration in the Central Luzon region. Outside of the Philippines, the name Manalo can also be found in small communities of Filipino diaspora in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. As a result of Filipino migration patterns, there are pockets of individuals with the last name Manalo in cities with large Filipino populations, such as Los Angeles, Toronto, and Sydney. Overall, the geographical distribution of the last name Manalo reflects the historical and cultural ties of the Filipino people to their homeland, as well as the impact of migration on shaping Filipino identities around the world.

Variants and spellings of the last name Manalo

Manalo is a Filipino surname that may have different variations and spellings such as Manallo, Manaloa, Manalow, Manaloo, Manalho, Manalow, Manall, and Manalow. Some other possible variations could include Manalot, Manalos, Manalow, and Manaloc. The surname Manalo is of Tagalog origin and is derived from the word "manalò," which means to win or to be victorious, making it a popular surname amongst Filipino families. This surname is most commonly found in the Philippines, but there are also Manalos and Manalows residing in other countries around the world. Despite the different spellings and variations, all individuals with the surname Manalo share a common heritage and cultural background.

Famous people with the last name Manalo

The Manalo surname is most famous in the Philippines, where it is associated with the influential Manalo family who founded the religious organization Iglesia ni Cristo. The late Felix Manalo is known as the founder of Iglesia ni Cristo in 1914, and is regarded by members of the church as the last messenger of God. His son, Eraño Manalo, succeeded him as the church's leader and further expanded its reach internationally. Eraño's son, Eduardo Manalo, is the current Executive Minister of Iglesia ni Cristo and continues to lead the church's millions of followers around the world. The Manalo family's influence extends beyond their religious contributions, with their surname becoming synonymous with leadership in the Filipino community.

Genealogical research on the last name Manalo

The surname Manalo is of Filipino origin and is derived from the Tagalog word "manalo," which means winner or victorious. The Manalo surname is most commonly found in the Philippines, particularly in the regions of Luzon and Visayas. The name is associated with the influential Manalo family, who were known for their leadership in various fields such as politics, business, and the arts. Genealogical research on the Manalo surname reveals a long history of notable figures who have made significant contributions to Filipino society. The name is often traced back to Spanish colonial times when surnames were first introduced to the Filipino population. Over the years, the Manalo surname has been passed down through generations, with many individuals continuing to uphold the family's legacy of success and achievement.

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 April 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Man bc (Last name)

surnames > man-bc

The last name "Man" is of English origin and is an occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "manne," which means "man" or "person." This surname may have originall...

Man ko manxe (Last name)

surnames > man-ko-manxe

The last name "Man Ko Manxe" is of Nepali origin. It is a common surname used in Nepal.

Man pacoo (Last name)

surnames > man-pacoo

The surname "Man Pacoo" does not appear to have a clear origin or meaning in English. It is possible that it is a rare or unique surname with no widely known background or etymolog...

Man sha (Last name)

surnames > man-sha

The last name "Man Sha" is of Chinese origin. It is a combination of the two Chinese characters "Man" and "Sha," which likely have individual meanings or origins in Chinese languag...

Man shrestha (Last name)

surnames > man-shrestha

The last name "Shrestha" originates from Nepal. It is a common surname among the Newar community in Nepal and is derived from the Sanskrit word "Shrestha," meaning noble or excelle...

Man singh (Last name)

surnames > man-singh

The last name "Man Singh" originates from India. It is a common surname among the Rajput community in the northern region of the country. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word...

Man unted (Last name)

surnames > man-unted

The surname "Manunted" is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name "M�net�d", which means "the moon shines", and is thought to have been given to som...

Mana gujjar (Last name)

surnames > mana-gujjar

The last name "Gujjar" originates from the Gujjar community in India and Pakistan. The Gujjar people are traditionally pastoral nomads and belong to the Gurjar clan. The name "Mana...

Mana khan (Last name)

surnames > mana-khan

The last name "Mana Khan" originates from South Asia, particularly from regions such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India. "Khan" is a common surname used by Pashtun and other Centr...

Mana-ay (Last name)

surnames > mana-ay

The last name "Manaay" is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the name of a place in the Philippines called Mañjuyod in the Negros Oriental province. The surname is likely to h...

Manaatil (Last name)

surnames > manaatil

The last name "Manaátll" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "manāṭil," which means "scales" or "balances."

Mañabo (Last name)

surnames > manabo

The last name Manabo is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the name of a town in the Philippines called Manabo.

Manachchige (Last name)

surnames > manachchige

The last name "Manachchige" is of Sri Lankan origin and is commonly found among the Sinhalese ethnic group in Sri Lanka.

Manachi (Last name)

surnames > manachi

The surname Manachi is of Italian origin. It is believed to be derived from the Italian word "mano," meaning "hand."

Manacmul (Last name)

surnames > manacmul

The last name Manacmul is of Filipino origin.