Hispanics, especially those of Spanish and Latin American descent, commonly have two surnames – a paternal surname from their father and a maternal surname from their mother. This naming practice dates back centuries and has roots in Spanish and Portuguese naming customs.
Having two last names, also known as a double-barrelled surname, is standard practice for newlyweds and children among Hispanics. The father’s surname comes first, followed by the mother’s paternal surname. So if Juan Martinez marries Maria Garcia, their child’s full name would be Jose Martinez Garcia. This gives the child surnames from both parental lineages.
Some key facts about Hispanic double-barrelled surnames:
- They are common in Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America and Spain.
- The father’s surname comes first, followed by the mother’s paternal surname.
- Children inherit both parents’ surnames, creating longer surnames from one generation to the next.
- Married Hispanic women often drop their maiden name and replace it with their husband’s paternal surname.
But why is having two last names standard practice among Hispanics? There are interesting historic, cultural and legal reasons behind this long-standing naming tradition.
Origins & History
The tradition of using two surnames originated in the Iberian peninsula among populations speaking both Spanish and Portuguese. It emerged during the Middle Ages as family and surname practices were formalized.
Some key events that contributed to the double surname tradition:
- 1200s – Surnames began being widely adopted in Iberia as families moved from villages to cities.
- 1500s – The Council of Trent formalized Spanish Catholic baptismal naming customs requiring a child be given a Christian first name followed by the father’s surname.
- 1700s – Bourbon reforms during the Spanish Empire required birth and marriage records be kept, further establishing the double surname norm.
By the colonial era, giving a child both the father’s surname and mother’s paternal surname was standard practice for newlyweds and new babies in Spanish-speaking countries. This naming system was then spread to Latin America and other former Spanish colonies.
Influence of Spanish Law
A major reason Spanish and Latin American families formally use two surnames is due to laws in Spain, which ruled most of Latin America during colonial times.
Spanish naming customs and marriage laws have historically required:
- A child inherits the first surname from their father and second surname from their mother.
- Women keep their paternal surname at birth but replace their maternal surname with their husband’s upon marriage.
For example, if Maria Garcia marries Carlos Hernandez, under Spanish legal conventions their child’s surname would be [Child’s First Name] Hernandez Garcia. Maria would then typically change her name to Maria Hernandez upon marriage.
This formal process of surname inheritance and replacement was established in laws as early as the Novísima Recopilación of laws passed in the 1800s. Similar surname rules exist today in modern Spanish law.
Catholic Traditions
The Catholic Church had great influence over naming practices in heavily Catholic countries like Spain. Traditions like godparents and baptism reinforced the double surname culture.
For instance, godparents would give an infant their own surname as well if the child was named after a saint. Having multiple surnames was seen as prestigious.
The Catholic Church also required baptismal records listing the father’s surname, further establishing paternal surnames being passed down.
Cultural Reasons & Meanings
In addition to legal and religious origins, the Hispanic double surname convention also carries important cultural meaning about family and identity.
Signifies Lineage
Having both paternal and maternal surnames connects Hispanics to their family ancestry. The surnames represent their lineages from both father and mother.
It distinguishes which set of relatives they descend from – their father’s family or mother’s family. This helps affirm familial bonds and heritage.
Emphasizes Family
Hispanic culture places high value on family ties, loyalty and unity. The double surname reflects close family connections, with marriage and children joining two families together.
It shows family is an unbroken chain between generations, rather than just individuals. Each person carries their parents’ and grandparents’ surnames stretching back in time.
Conveys Identity
For Hispanics, a person’s surname holds deep meaning about their origins and who they are. It communicates their ethnic background, ancestral homeland, and the families they come from.
Having two familial surnames provides a fuller sense of cultural identity. It distinguishes their unique Hispanic heritage as part of a blended Latin culture.
Naming Variations & Changes
While double surnames are the norm for Hispanics, naming practices have adapted over generations, leading to variations:
Surname Lengths Increase
Hispanic surnames grow longer over generations as both paternal and maternal names are passed down. This means surnames can be 3+ words long after just a few generations.
For instance, Jose Martinez Garcia and Maria Rodriguez Santos have a daughter named Ana. Her full surname would be Martinez Garcia Rodriguez Santos – a combination of both parents’ paternal and maternal surnames.
Women Removing Maternal Name
Traditionally upon marrying, Hispanic woman dropped their maternal surname and replaced it with their husband’s paternal surname. But this practice is declining.
More Hispanic women today opt to keep their maternal surname, only taking their spouse’s paternal surname. Others hyphenate or even keep their full maiden name.
Name Order Switched Abroad
In Spain and some Latin American countries, people now occasionally reverse the order to maternal surname first, paternal surname second. This further blends families.
It also trims excessively long surnames from generations of accumulation. But name order cannot be officially flipped in certain countries.
Surnames Legally Removed
Some Hispanics change their name by legally dropping one parental surname. Reasons include very long names or estrangement from one side of the family.
But for most, a desire to maintain family bonds means keeping both surnames. Removing one can be seen as disrespectful of ancestry.
Middle Names Used More
In the US, some Hispanics switch one of the surnames to a middle name instead. This adapts the double-barrelled name to American customs.
For example, Jose Antonio Garcia Lopez in Latin America becomes Jose Garcia Lopez Antonio in the US. But both surnames are still incorporated.
Comparison to Other Cultures
Double surnames are integral to Hispanic heritage, but not widely practiced in many other Western cultures today. How do Spanish naming customs compare?
Spain & Former Colonies
Both paternal and maternal surnames are widely used in Spain, Latin America and former Spanish territories like the Philippines. Multiple surnames are the norm.
Portugal & Brazil
Similar double surnames are traditional in Portugal and Brazil due to historical ties to Spain. Order is paternal-maternal like in Spanish naming.
English-Speaking Countries
Spain’s former colonial rivals Britain and America primarily pass down a single paternal surname. Double-barrelled names exist but are less common.
France
France historically had various regional naming practices. But most followed paternal surname inheritance like England. Maternal surnames may be given as middle names.
Germany & Nordic Countries
Historically used patronyms (Johnson = Son of John) but this declined over the centuries. Most now inherit a single paternal surname.
Arab World
Traditionally uses a chain of names – given name, father’s name, paternal grandfather’s name, family/tribal name. But the father’s name is not considered a hereditary surname passed down.
China & Korea
Surnames precede the given name and are usually one character. In marriage, women typically keep their own surname and do not take their husband’s.
| Region | Naming Custom |
|---|---|
| Spain | Double surnames (paternal + maternal) |
| Latin America | Double surnames (paternal + maternal) |
| Portugal | Double surnames (paternal + maternal) |
| Britain | Single surname (paternal) |
| France | Mainly single surnames (paternal) |
| Germany | Single surnames (paternal) |
| Arab World | Given name + father’s name + grandfather’s name + family/tribe name |
| China | Surname + given name. Women keep own surname. |
Hispanic Names in the US
The convention of double surnames is maintained by many Hispanic Americans as a tie to their roots. But US records and systems pose challenges.
Driver’s Licenses & School Registrations
Hispanics in the US may be asked to drop one of their family names on official paperwork that only has space for one surname. Some alternate them on different documents.
Difficulties for Women
Married Hispanic women keeping their maiden names can face issues with systems allowing only one current legal name. Hyphenation may be required on US documents.
Confusion in Schooling
Hispanic children with different surnames than their parents may have to explain family connections to prevent assumptions of orphan status.
Processing Errors
Double surnames can be dropped or misordered on US records due to automated forms not designed for more than one surname.
Rising Acceptance
But growing Hispanic populations are making American institutions more accommodating of traditional naming customs.
Conclusion
To summarize, the centuries-old Hispanic practice of using two last names represents important cultural meaning about family, lineage and identity. Passed down from colonial Spain, having both paternal and maternal surnames connects Hispanics to their roots even as naming variations emerge. Maintaining this tradition remains a point of pride and solidarity for Hispanic communities seeking to preserve their blended heritage.