Last Name Ramos

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ramos

The meaning and origin of the last name Ramos

The surname Ramos is a common Spanish and Portuguese patronymic name derived from the given name Raimundo, a variant of Raymond, which originated from the Germanic names Reimund or Haimund. The name Raimundo translates to "wise protection" in Old German. In Spain, it is one of the most popular surnames due to its frequent use among the Moors during the Middle Ages. After the Christian reconquest, many Christian children were given Moorish names as a way of showing forgiveness and peaceful coexistence, leading to the widespread use of Ramos as a surname in Spain. Similarly, in Portugal, the name became prevalent due to Portuguese contact with the Moors during the Reconquista period. Today, the surname Ramos is found worldwide among the Spanish-speaking diaspora and beyond.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ramos

The surname Ramos has a significant global presence, with its origin traced back to Spain and Portugal. In both countries, it ranks among the top 20 most common surnames due to their large populations and historical naming practices. Beyond Europe, the Ramos name is also prevalent in Brazil, which colonized by the Portuguese and has a substantial Portuguese-speaking population. The name can also be found in other Portuguese-speaking African nations like Angola and Mozambique, as well as in Spanish-speaking countries such as Mexico, Equatorial Guinea, and the Philippines, where it is an adopted surname or a result of intermarriage with Spaniards during the colonial era. Additionally, smaller populations of individuals with the Ramos surname reside in various English-speaking countries, primarily in North America and Australia, due to migration from Spain, Portugal, Brazil, and other Spanish-speaking regions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ramos

The surname Ramos has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transliteration, pronunciation, and regional dialects. Some common variations include:

1. Ramoz (Portuguese)
2. de Ramos (Spanish and Portuguese)
3. Ramos-Horta (Portuguese, used by Nobel Peace Prize laureate José Ramos-Horta)
4. Rámos (Hungarian)
5. Ramosi (Lithuanian)
6. DeRamos (Anglicized version)
7. Ramosy (Czech)
8. Râmoș (Romanian)
9. Ramozas (Lithuanian, plural form)
10. Ramossa (Italian feminine form)
11. Ramouse (French diminutive form)
12. de las Ramos (Spanish, indicating a place name)

These variations reflect the global distribution of the surname, which is predominantly found in Portugal, Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines, as well as among Portuguese and Spanish immigrants around the world.

Famous people with the last name Ramos

Notable individuals with the surname Ramos include:

1. Ricardo Kaká (full name Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite), a Brazilian retired professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder or forward, known for his time at Milan and Orlando City in Major League Soccer. He won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2007.

2. Christiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United and captains the Portugal national team. Considered one of the greatest players of all time, he has won five Ballon d'Or awards.

3. Jose Ramos-Horta, an East Timorese diplomat and politician who served as President of East Timor from 2007 to 2012. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996, along with Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, for their work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict in East Timor.

4. Esther Rantzen DBE, a British broadcaster and former Labour Member of Parliament, known for her consumer rights campaigning and presenting shows like "That's Life!" on BBC television.

5. Pepe (full name Álvaro Arnalt de Oliveira Borrego), a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Portuguese club Porto and the Spain national team. He has won five La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions Leagues, and two FIFA Club World Cups with Real Madrid.

Genealogical research on the last name Ramos

The surname Ramos originates from the Iberian Peninsula and is a common Spanish and Portuguese last name. Its root derives from the Occitan and Galician-Portuguese word "ramos," which means branches or twigs, likely given to someone living in an area with many trees or as a metaphor for a large family. The name Ramos emerged during the Middle Ages when personal names were often transformed into surnames. In Portugal, it is primarily concentrated in the northern regions, while in Spain, it is widespread throughout the country but is particularly prevalent in Castile and Aragon. Notable figures with the last name Ramos include Brazilian politician Dilma Rousseff, Spanish footballer Sergio Ramos, and American actor Jimmy Smits who has Puerto Rican ancestry. The family history of the Ramos surname spans centuries and continents, making it a diverse and rich legacy.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Ramos"
• 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