NomOrigine Background

Last Name Marcos

What is the origin of the last name Marcos?

The last name Marcos is of Spanish origin, derived from the given name Marcos, which is the Spanish form of the name Mark. It is believed to have originated from the biblical figure Saint Mark, one of the four Evangelists. The name Marcos was first found in the region of Castile in Spain. Today, it is a common surname in Spanish-speaking countries and among Spanish-speaking communities around the world.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Marcos

The meaning and origin of the last name Marcos

The surname Marcos is of Spanish origin and is derived from the given name Marcos, which is the Spanish form of the name Mark. The name Mark is of Latin origin and means "warlike" or "belonging to Mars", the Roman god of war. The surname Marcos likely originated as a patronymic surname, meaning that it was originally used to identify the descendants of a man named Marcos. It is a common surname in Spanish-speaking countries and can also be found in other parts of the world where Spanish influence has been present. Overall, the surname Marcos carries a strong and noble connotation, reflecting the qualities associated with the ancient god of war.

Geographical distribution of the last name Marcos

The last name Marcos has a widespread geographical distribution, with a strong presence in Spain, particularly in the regions of Galicia, Catalonia, and Madrid. It is also common in Latin America, especially in countries such as Mexico, Argentina, and Venezuela. In the Philippines, Marcos is a prominent surname, most famously associated with former president Ferdinand Marcos. Additionally, the name has spread to various other countries around the world due to migration and globalization. Despite its varied origins and widespread distribution, the name Marcos typically signifies a Spanish or Hispanic heritage. Overall, the last name Marcos can be found in numerous countries across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, reflecting the diverse cultural influences and historical connections of individuals bearing this surname.

Variants and spellings of the last name Marcos

The last name Marcos can be spelled and varied in a few ways, including Marquez, Marques, Marquez, Marcas, Markos, and Markos. These variations may be influenced by regional dialects, historical migrations, or personal preferences. In some cases, the surname may have been anglicized or changed over time due to changes in spelling conventions. Additionally, individuals with the last name Marcos may choose to use different versions of the name for professional or personal reasons. Despite these variations, the surname Marcos typically has Spanish or Portuguese origins, with roots in the name Marcus, meaning "warlike" or "dedicated to Mars" in Latin. The name has likely been passed down through generations, connecting individuals with a shared ancestral heritage.

Famous people with the last name Marcos

Famous people with the last name Marcos include Imelda Marcos, a former First Lady of the Philippines known for her extravagant lifestyle and collection of thousands of shoes. Imelda was married to Ferdinand Marcos, who served as President of the Philippines for over 20 years until he was ousted during the People Power Revolution in 1986. Another notable figure is Bongbong Marcos, the son of Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos, who has pursued a career in politics and served as a senator and a vice presidential candidate in the Philippines. The Marcos family continues to be a prominent and controversial political dynasty in Filipino history, with their legacy still sparking debate and analysis among scholars and the general public.

Genealogical research on the last name Marcos

The surname Marcos is of Spanish origin, derived from the given name Marcos, which is the Spanish form of the name Mark. The name can be traced back to early Christian times, with Saint Mark being one of the four evangelists of the New Testament. The Marcos surname is believed to have originated in the region of Castile in Spain, and has since spread to other Spanish-speaking countries as well as Portugal and Italy. In genealogical research, individuals with the last name Marcos can often trace their ancestry back to Spain, where the name has a long history and is associated with various noble families. Today, individuals with the surname Marcos can be found worldwide, with variations of the name existing in different languages and cultures.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

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

Mar bilal (Last name)

surnames > mar-bilal

The surname "Mar Bilal" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the given name "Bilal," which is a common name in the Arabic-speaking world. "Mar" is likely a component that indica...

Mar din (Last name)

surnames > mar-din

The surname "Mar din" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "mar," meaning "sea" or "ocean," indicating a possible connection to a coastal or maritime location.

Mar gul (Last name)

surnames > mar-gul

The last name "Margul" originates from a combination of the Yiddish words "mar" meaning "bitter" and "gul" meaning "rose". It is likely of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.

Mara wilson (Last name)

surnames > mara-wilson

The last name "Wilson" is of English origin. It is derived from the given name William, which means "resolute protector" or "helmeted warrior."

Mara-llanes (Last name)

surnames > mara-llanes

The surname Mara Llanes is of Spanish origin. It is a combination of the maternal surname "Mara" and the paternal surname "Llanes." The surname "Mara" may be derived from the Hebre...

Marabail (Last name)

surnames > marabail

The surname Marabail is of French origin. It is likely derived from the Old French word "mar(e)bail," which means "beautiful sea" or "beautiful bay."

Marachalil (Last name)

surnames > marachalil

The last name Marachalil is of Indian origin, specifically from the south Indian state of Kerala.

Marachi (Last name)

surnames > marachi

The last name Marachi is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name "Maria" which is a variant of the Latin name "Maria" meaning "bitter" or "beloved". It is a common ...

Marachly (Last name)

surnames > marachly

The last name Marachly appears to have an Eastern European origin, particularly from regions such as Russia, Ukraine, or Poland. It is likely derived from a geographical location o...

Marackar (Last name)

surnames > marackar

The last name Marackar is of Indian origin, specifically from the southern state of Kerala. It is believed to be a surname used by the Nair community, which is a prominent Hindu ca...

Marad khokhr (Last name)

surnames > marad-khokhr

The last name "Marad Khokhr" appears to be of Armenian origin. The name "Marad" likely comes from the Armenian word for "stable" or "steadfast," while "Khokhr" may be a variation o...

Maradona (Last name)

surnames > maradona

The last name "Maradona" originates from Italy. It is an Italian surname, derived from the personal name "Maradona," which itself is a variant of "Maradanius," an ancient Roman cog...

Maraghni (Last name)

surnames > maraghni

The surname "Maraghni" appears to be Arabic or Berber. It may originate in Tunisia, Algeria or other Maghreb countries. Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide precise meaning...

Maragno (Last name)

surnames > maragno

The surname Maragno is of Italian origin. It is a diminutive form of the given name Magno, which means "great" or "large" in Latin. In Italy, the name was often given to large chil...

Maraha (Last name)

surnames > maraha

The last name Maraha is of Slavic origin, specifically Polish. It is derived from the given name "Marek," which means "warrior" or "famous" in Polish. It is a common surname in Pol...