Last Name Martos

The surname Martos is of Spanish origin, specifically from the region of Andalusia. It is derived from a number of possible sources, including a geographical location called Martos in Jaén province, or as a patronymic surname, which means "son of Martin." The name Martin itself is derived from Latin Martius, meaning "of Mars," the Roman god of war.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Martos

The meaning and origin of the last name Martos

The surname Martos is primarily of Spanish origin, derived from various places with that name throughout Spain. One such location is a municipality in the province of Jaén, Andalusia. The name Martos is believed to originate from the Arabic word "Martaṣ" or "Martas," which refers to almond trees, as the region was known for its many almond groves during the Moorish occupation. Over time, this Arabic name evolved into Martos in Spanish. The surname spread across Spain and subsequently other parts of the world, particularly due to migration, and is now commonly found among Hispanic populations.

Geographical distribution of the last name Martos

The surname Martos is predominantly found in Spain and Portugal, where it originated. In Spain, it is most common in regions such as Andalusia, Extremadura, Castile-La Mancha, and Aragon. It is also prevalent among the Spanish-speaking population in South America, particularly in countries like Colombia, Venezuela, and Argentina, where it may have been brought by Spanish immigrants. In Portugal, the name Martos is less frequent but can still be found, mostly in the northern regions. The name's distribution extends to other parts of the world due to migration, with significant numbers in Latin American countries, the United States, Canada, and some European countries like France and Italy, where it may have evolved from variants such as Martoz or Martin.

Variants and spellings of the last name Martos

The surname Martos has several variations and spellings in different regions and languages. Some common variants include:

1. Marto(s) - This is an abbreviated form of the original Spanish surname, often used to shorten the length in written and digital contexts.
2. De Martos - A patronymic form, which means "son of Martos" in Spanish.
3. Martin(z) de los Martos - This variant includes an additional first name (Martin) and a possessive article ("de los") that translates to "of the Martos."
4. Marcos - While not directly related etymologically, Marcos is a common Spanish surname that shares similar phonetics with Martos due to their shared root word "mar," which means "war" or "sea" in Latin.
5. Martoš (Martosch) - This variation originates from the Hungarian language and is pronounced similarly to its Spanish counterpart.
6. Martossy - An alternate Hungarian spelling of Martoš, often used by individuals who prefer a more anglicized version of their name.
7. Martus - A rare variation that may have resulted from a misspelling or transcribing error when converting the surname to English or other languages.
8. Martinotto - An Italian-American adaptation of the Spanish surname, possibly due to misinterpretation or anglicization over time.
9. Martozo - A Portuguese variant that shares similarities in spelling and phonetics with the Spanish version.

Famous people with the last name Martos

Notable individuals with the surname Martos include:

1. Juan Manuel Fangio Martos (1911-1995), an Argentine racing driver who won five Formula One World Championships, considered one of the greatest drivers in motorsport history.

2. José Martos y Ormáechea (1874–1960), a Spanish painter known for his landscapes and still lifes, particularly of flowers.

3. Juan Carlos Martos (born 1954), a Spanish actor who has appeared in numerous films and television series, including "El Príncipe" and "Cuéntame cómo pasó."

4. José Antonio Martos (born 1971), a former professional tennis player from Spain, reaching a career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 34 in 1995.

5. Ana Isabel Martos (born 1986), a Spanish actress known for her roles in "Amar en tiempos revueltos" and "El internado."

These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields such as motorsports, art, acting, and tennis.

Genealogical research on the last name Martos

The Martos surname is believed to have originated from the region of Aragon, Spain. It is derived from the medieval personal name Martín, which means "servant of Mars," the Roman god of war. The surname spread throughout Spain during the Middle Ages and was brought to various parts of Europe by Spanish explorers in the 15th and 16th centuries.

In South America, the Martos family is well-documented, with notable members settling in Argentina and Colombia. In Argentina, the Martos family can be traced back to the late 1700s when Juan Martos arrived from Spain and settled in the province of Córdoba. The family later expanded to other provinces such as Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, and Mendoza.

In Colombia, the Martos family can be traced back to the early 1800s when José María Martos arrived from Spain and settled in the department of Antioquia. Notable members of the Colombian Martos family include General Francisco Martos and Senator Jorge Martos.

Today, the Martos surname is found worldwide, with significant populations in Spain, South America, the United States, and other parts of Europe.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Martos"
• 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 : 28 July 2025

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