Surname Espinosa - Meaning and Origin

Discovering my Espinosa Lineage: A Journey into Surname Heritage via iGENEA DNA Test

Delving into the depths of my ancestral story through the iGENEA DNA test has been an enlightening journey of discovery. I’ve unravelled roots of the Espinosa surname that extend from the verdant landscapes of Northern Spain, through the diaspora of Sephardic Jews, crossing continents and intermingling with diverse cultures.

Z. Espinosa

Espinosa: What does the surname Espinosa mean?

The last name Espinosa is a Spanish name derived from the Latin word "spinosus" which means "thorny". This name is found in many Latin American countries, although it has its origins in the Iberian Peninsula.

This name likely had its beginnings during the Reconquista, a period when Christian rulers sought to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors. The Espinosa surname was likely first given to those brave people or soldiers who fought against the oppression and were willing to confront their enemies without fear.

Today, the Espinosa surname continues to be associated with courage and is one of the most common surnames in Latin American countries. It implies a strong and independent spirit, and indicates that the bearer is someone who goes out and takes risks to reach their goals.

The Espinosa family is known for their hard work and ambition, and is celebrated for their desire to succeed. For generations, the Espinosa family has worked to achieve their goals in the face of many challenges and obstacles. It is no wonder that the Espinosas have such long standing success in Latin America and beyond.

Espinosa: Where does the name Espinosa come from?

The last name Espinosa is common throughout Latin American countries such as Mexico, Chile, Cuba, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama. It is also a common surname in Spain, specifically the region of Castilla y Leon. According to data analysis by Forebears, in 2019, Espinosa is the 830th most common last name in the world, with a population of over one thousand two hundred thousand. In Mexico, Espinosa is one of the most popular last names and ranks as the 26th most common based on available census records from 2020.

In the United States, Espinosa is a relatively rare name. According to the US Census Bureau, the name Espinosa ranks as the 1,476th most popular last name as of 2020 with a little over 18,500 people having the surname in the US. Its popularity in the US is concentrated in certain states such as California, Texas, Florida, and New York.

The Espinosa surname is typically of Spanish or Portuguese origins. It derives from the term “espino” which means “thorn” or “spiny plant”. As a result, it may have been associated with a family of Spanish farmers who had a spiny plant in their crest. Additionally, Espinosa is derived from the phrase "de Espinosa" meaning "of Espinosa", which was a place name back in the 14th century.

Variations of the surname Espinosa

The surname Espinosa is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Espina or Espinosa, which is of Spanish and Portuguese origin. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are Espina, Espinaz, Espinas, Espino, Espinol, Espinowa, Espinosa, Espinoza, García de Espinosa, Galvez Espinosa, and Espin.

Espina is a Spanish variant of Espinosa and is an old habitational name for someone from a village so named in the Provincia de Avila. The Espinazo family traces back to the village of Villarmañangos, located in the province of Avila, Spain. Although Espinaz is also a Spanish variant of the surname Espinosa, it is primarily most common in Mexico.

Espinas is a Portuguese variant of Espinosa and is derived from the Latin word “spinosa”, which translates to “prickly” in English. Espino is another Portuguese variant of Espinosa and is derived from the Latin word “spinus”, which translates to “thorny” in English. Espinol is a variant of Espinosa, primarily held in Mexico.

Espinowa is a Polish variant of Espinosa and is derived from the Latin word “spina”, which translates to “thorn” in English. García de Espinosa is a prominent Castilian line of the Espinosa surname. Galvez Espinosa is a variant of Espinosa held mainly in Mexico and is believed to be a combination of two Castilian lines.

Famous people with the name Espinosa

• Amelia Vega: Miss Universe 2003
• Alfredo Espinosa: professional Guatemalan soccer player
• Lys Espinosa: Venezuelan singer and songwriter
• Raudel Espinosa: Cuban photographer
• Mónica Espinosa: Chilean singer and television presenter
• Álex Espinosa: Venezuelan actor
• J. D. Espinosa: Mexican-American actor, director, physiologist, and cinematographer
• Raquel Espinosa: Spanish singer
• José de Jesús Espinosa: Mexican footballer (soccer player)
• Mario Espinosa: Ecuadorian footballer and manager
• Víctor Espinosa: Venezuelan Olympic judoka
• Jhon Espinosa: Colombian entertainer
• Hugo Espinosa: Costa Rican film director
• Clara Espinosa: Chilean actress
• Miguel Espinosa: Spanish footballer
• Alejandro Espinosa: Mexican-American pole vaulter
• Juan Antonio Espinosa: Mexican footballer and manager
• Idan Espinosa: Israeli singer
• Roxana Espinosa: Mexican actress
• Juan Emmanuel Espinosa: Colombian actor, director, and screenwriter

Other surnames