APELLIDOS

 The four influences, first used by nobility and wealthy landowners and well established by 10^th Century in Spain,  that played a part in the development of Spanish surnames were:

A. Patronimico – Patronymical-Patronymic

Martin-Martinez; Sanco-Sánchez; Fernán-Fernández;Hernán-Hernández;Gonzalo-González; Nuño-Nuñez.

B. Oficio – Occupational

Molinero-Miller; Herrera-Blacksmith; zapatero;carpintero

C. Descripción o Apdo – Descriptive or nickname

     Moreno, Prieto, Negro Blanco, Guero, flor-flores: Torre-Torres;Monte-Montemayor

D. Toponimico – Toponymic (Toponimic)

Treviño; Del Rio; de Navarro, de Ávila, de la Cueva, de la Mancha, de Castilla; de León

Church & Priests influenced names that were given to many of the Native Indians De la Cruz: Iglesia, Campo, Santos; Jesús María.Also, without intention, while recording the surnames, they changed surnames to de Ávila to Dávila; Barbarosa to Barbosa

Common Hispanic Surnames and Their Origins

“Source Unknown”

It is good to know where a surname originated.  The founders of many of these surnames were of Noble origin.  Some individuals bearing these surnames were also ennobled as a result of their military or other type of service to the crown.  However, one should not assume, if one carries one of the surnames listed herein, that one is necessarily of Noble lineage. 

Aguilar has the origin as Aguiar. The root of both surnames came from the Mozareb Knight Men Gomez Ibañez of Toledo, who was the creator and progenitor of AGUILAR.

Alvarez means son of or successor of Alvaro or Alvar and originated in Asturias, Leon and Navarre from the house of Sancho Alvarez from Caceres, Navarra and had a large family with Doña Olalla de Ochoa y Sarmiento that spread throughout Extremadura, Andalucia and eventually the Americas.

Barrera does not have a clear origin, but spread all over Spain, Santander, Galicia, Aragon and Andalucia and eventually America.

Bonilla has at least three original families.  One came from Rioja, Navarre, from the mountains of Leon and from the village of Bonilla de la Sierra (near Avila from which they took the name.  

Castilla came originally from King Don Pedro I de Castilla.  Descendants took the name Castilla.  Branches went to Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Las Palmas.  An unrelated branch established in Aragon took a second origin that of Castille.

Diaz derived from proper names Dia and Diego which gave rise to Diaz and Diez; does not have a common origin.  Evidence of the oldest usage found in Leon, Asturias and Santander.

It can also be found in Castille whose progenitor may have been Don Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, El Cid.

Escobar has a lot of disagreement regarding the origin and meaning.  Some genealogists believe it was of British origin and descended into Spain during the early period of the reconquest.  Others believe it originated in the mountains of Santander and others from the mountains of Leon.  The root of the name means broom. Perhaps it was once used to describe the village broom maker or someone who was responsible for sweeping an important area.

The Alanis (z) Surname

The Spanish Surname Alaniz, which has also been recorded in Mexico, is of two possible origins. In the first place, the surname Alaniz may be a variant of the more well known Spanish name Alaiz. The name Alaiz is of Basque toponymic origin. Toponymic names are those surnames, which derive their origin from a particular place-name near which the original bearer resided or held land.

In this instance, the surname Alaniz is derived from the Andalusia place-name Alanis which is the name of city located in the province of Seville (Andalusia). Thus, the original bearer of the surname Alaniz hailed from Alanis which name he adopted as his hereditary family name. It is said that the Turdulos who named it Ancanico first founded the city of Alanis. With the passage of time it became depopulated only to be founded by the Alanos from which its present name derives. The exact origins of this name are unclear however it is said to signify "Greyhound

For those that did not know: the name Alaniz originated in France, spelled with an "s" as in Alanis is sometimes used as a first name that sounds like or is pronounced as "Alahness", for example the singer Alanis Moressett. When the French set up their colonies in Mexico they passed on the name when they inter married with Mexicans. You will find many that migrated to Texas and in New Mexico, which is where most of my family is from, and some of us are in Los Angeles California.
(Richard Alaniz)

Actually, Alanis is a Spanish name. There is a small town of Alanis in Spain. Alaniz (z) is a change made because of the French occupation of Mexico. The Spanish name of Alaniz found in England is due to the Spanish Inquisition and migration of the 'Jewish' and 'Muslim' Alanis to England and the New World. My ancestors came from the landings in Louisiana and then to Northern Mexico (now Texas - border changed, we didn't). There are many names similar to Alaniz/Alanis, but it holds to the city of origin as Alanis. I guess you can be what ever you want, French, Spanish, English, Dutch, we breed with anyone. (Ruben Alaniz)

You posting this message or information that the name Alaniz/Alanis originated in France have made me feel so much better. I have been researching it for sometime and I always ended up right were I had began. Anyway I just found out a lot of stuff today. With your email I found out that I am creole of French, Spanish, Irish, English, and Native American descent. My grandmother is an Alaniz because her dad was part Mexican and part black.
(Garret Higgins)

 I have often wondered about the correct pronunciation of my last name. My father (Zenon) passed away when I was very young and I grew up with my mother pronouncing our last name as ALA-KNEES. Since my mother didn't have an ounce of Hispanic blood, I always thought that she might have distorted the name. Is this the right way, or is it what 80% of my teachers would call out during attendance back in grammar school.

A-LAN-NEZ?                               (Frank Alaniz)

I had the same problem in school and I always corrected people. Your mom is right. My family pronounces it ala-knees. I like alan-knees.  (Maria Alaniz)

OK know I'm as Hispanic as you can get.
So please try to pronounce it like "Allah Niece".

God forbid if someone calls me alverez again or ALAN eeezz
uggh that upsets me. (Mark Anthony Alaniz)

The correct way is "Alah-Niece", with the ah part short and the niece extended. The English way is "Ala neeess" or as in Al-Ah-knees. With the Ala part very short. Maria is correct many bastardize our last name, do as I do and correct everyone, Alaniz (Alah-Niece) is a beautiful name and we should all be proud of it. Remember in one way or another we are all family!

(Richard Alaniz)

Is Alaniz better than 'Alverez' or 'Alonzo' (my respects to those families)? I have been called 'Allah ness', 'Alan is', 'Alons', 'Alan-ice'. Alaniz should flow, and a slight accent be on the 'niese' not the 'ala', but do what you have to for your local. As they say," Just don't call me late for dinner".

Hay al menos dos versions sobre el apellido Flores, una de ellas dice que es un nombre patronímico, o sea que se deriva de un nombre propio que se convierte en apellido, en este caso de Fruela, nombre godo, que a su vez provenía de froyles o Frolaz, que por corrupción se convirtió en Florez y más tarde en Flores.

Es un apellido sumanente antiguo y de tronco real, el rey Fruela II de Asturias tiene un hijo bastardo llamado don Aznar Fruela de aquí deducimos que el origen del apellido es asturiano, pasando más tarde al reino de León de donde partieron las numerosas ramas que se extendieron por toda España.

Los caballeros Flores se distinguieron como fieles vasallos de la corona que ayudaron a sus reyes en la reconquista  de la Península, ya en 1248 encontramos a don Rodrigo Froyles en documentos oficiales donde se le cita como destacado guerrero, más tarde encontramos al mismo caballero solo que ya cambio ha Flores.

La segunda versión afirma que es corrupción del italiano Florei, que fueron los que llegaron al Nuevo Reyno de León, lo cual no es descartable.