Last Name Martinez

The last name Martinez is of Spanish origin. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Martin, which itself originated from the Roman name "Martinus," meaning "belonging to Mars." Mars was the Roman god of war, making Martinus a popular name among soldiers and warriors during the Middle Ages. As a patronymic surname, Martinez indicates "son of Martin" or "descendant of Martin." The name has a significant presence in the Spanish-speaking world, particularly in Spain, Mexico, and Latin American countries.

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Martinez

The ethnicity associated with the surname Martinez, as determined by the Decennial U.S. Census, is predominantly Hispanic. In 2000, 91.72% of those with the Martinez surname identified as Hispanic, and this proportion increased slightly to 92.91% by 2010. Other ethnicities associated with the surname include White (5.28% in 2010, down from 6.04% in 2000) and Asian/Pacific Islander (0.6% in both years). However, the data for individuals identifying as Two or more races, Black, and American Indian and Alaskan Native were suppressed for privacy reasons.

	2000	2010	Change
Hispanic	91.72%	92.91%	1.3%
White	6.04%	5.28%	-12.58%
Asian/Pacific Islander	0.6%	0.6%	0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0.64%	0.51%	-20.31%
Black	0.52%	0.49%	-5.77%
Two or More Races	0.46%	0.22%	-52.17%

Martinez ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Martinez is Spanish & Portuguese, which comprises 39.0% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are Indigenous American (29.1%) and British & Irish (11.4%). Additional ancestries include French & German, Italian, Senegambian & Guinean, Eastern European, and Angolan & Congolese.

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ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
Spanish & Portuguese	39.0%
Indigenous American	29.1%
British & Irish	11.4%
Other	20.5%

Your paternal lineage may be linked to The Ancient One

When two college students stumbled upon a human skull on the banks of the Columbia River, neither the students nor the police who responded to their 911 call could have imagined the archaeological significance of this rare discovery. The skull — along with about 300 other bone fragments found near Kennewick, Washington — belonged to a 9,000 year-old nomad who Native Americans have dubbed "The Ancient One." Based on skeletal clues, The Ancient One (also known as "Kennewick Man") likely swam, wielded a spear, and hunted coastal fauna for the greater part of his lifeInitial craniometric studies suggested he descended from ancient Japanese and Polynesian-like people and had little in common with living Native Americans. This claim — refuted by the Plateau tribes of the Pacific Northwest — became the center of a decades-long legal battle over the provenance of the remains. When The Ancient One's genome was finally sequenced in 2015, the evidence revealed he was genetically most similar to modern-day Native Americans. In fact, local tribes were found to be direct descendants of a population closely related to The Ancient One; in 2017, he finally received a proper Native American burial. This critical discovery helps illustrate a genetic continuity between ancient and modern-day Native Americans. Furthermore, his paternal line belonged to haplogroup Q-M3, the predominant lineage among Native Americans today.

Your maternal lineage may be linked to some of the first Americans

Though the Ice Age was beginning to retreat when your A2 ancestors first entered North America, there were still massive barriers blocking their way. Glaciers and inhospitable climate covered much of the continent, blocking entry into the interior. Nonetheless, researchers have found evidence that a wave of American founders migrated over 13,000 kilometers to reach southern Chile in only 2,000 years, a blink of an eye in the story of human migration! Their highway to the south was the coast of the Pacific, stocked with fish, diverse marine mammals, and other valuable resources in the rich kelp forests of the upper latitudes and in the abundant fresh-water rivers near the equator. Because of this rapid movement south, the A2 haplogroup and its diverse branches are found throughout North and South America.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Martinez

The meaning and origin of the last name Martinez

The surname Martinez is of Spanish origin and is derived from the given name Martin, ultimately derived from the Latin name Martinus, which means "of Mars" or "warlike." The personal name Martin was quite popular throughout medieval Europe, particularly among Christians, due to the influence of Saint Martin of Tours, a revered bishop from the 4th century. As a patronymic surname, Martinez indicates "son of Martin," with the suffix “-ez” meaning "son of."

The surname Martinez has deep roots in Spain and is one of the most common surnames in the country. It spread to other Spanish-speaking regions during the Spanish colonization, particularly in Latin America. Today, it is a common surname among populations with Spanish ancestry worldwide. Given its widespread usage, it is difficult to trace specific ancestral roots without further information, as there may be multiple unrelated branches of the Martinez family.

Geographical distribution of the last name Martinez

The last name Martinez originates from Spain and has spread to various parts of the world due to historical migrations and colonialism. As a result, the geographical distribution of the Martinez surname is quite widespread, especially in countries with Spanish-speaking populations. In Spain, Martinez is one of the most common surnames, especially in regions such as Andalusia, Valencia, and Murcia. Additionally, Mexico has a significant population of people with the Martinez last name, as it was a Spanish colony for several centuries. Other countries in Latin America, including Argentina, Colombia, and Peru, also have sizable populations of individuals with the Martinez surname. In the United States, Martinez is a widely prevalent Hispanic surname, particularly in states with large Hispanic populations such as California, Texas, and New Mexico. Overall, the geographical distribution of the Martinez last name reflects the Spanish influence in various parts of the world throughout history.

Variants and spellings of the last name Martinez

The last name Martinez, being of Spanish origin, has several variations and spellings across different countries and regions. In Spain, it is commonly spelled with a 'z' at the end, as Martínez. In Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Colombia, the 'z' commonly changes to an 's,' resulting in Martínez. Similarly, in Argentina, Uruguay, and some parts of Chile, it is also spelled Martínez. In the Philippines, a former Spanish colony, the last name is often spelled Martinec. Other variations can be found in countries with significant Spanish influence, such as Portugal, where it is spelled Martins, or in Italy, where it may be spelled Martino or Martini. These variations and spellings showcase the diverse ways in which the name Martinez is adapted and influenced by different cultures and languages worldwide.

Famous people with the last name Martinez

Some famous people with the last name Martinez include Pedro Martinez, a legendary Dominican-American baseball player who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Pedro Martinez is considered to be one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the sport. Another well-known figure is J.D. Martinez, an American professional baseball player who has had a successful career with teams like the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox. He is known for his exceptional hitting skills and has achieved numerous accolades, including being selected for multiple All-Star games. In the entertainment industry, Tino Martinez is a prominent figure, known for his remarkable acting skills. Tino Martinez has appeared in various films and TV shows, establishing himself as a versatile actor. These individuals, among others, have not only brought pride to their name but have also left indelible marks in their respective fields.

Genealogical research on the last name Martinez

The surname Martinez has its roots in Spain and is derived from the given name Martin, which originated from the Roman name "Martius" meaning "of Mars", the Roman god of war. The surname Martinez is a patronymic surname, indicating it was originally used to identify the son of someone named Martin. Over time, the surname spread throughout the Spanish-speaking world due to colonization and migration. Immigrants from Spain brought the surname to the Americas, where it is one of the most common surnames, particularly in countries like Mexico, Argentina, and the United States. The surname Martinez has a rich genealogical history, with variations such as Martínez and Martines, and it can be found among various ethnic groups, including Spanish, Mexican, Filipino, and Sephardic Jewish communities. Modern genealogical research techniques and records can help individuals trace their Martinez ancestry and uncover connections to diverse cultures and regions.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Martinez"
• 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 April 2025

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