Aguilar
A Spanish surname meaning “of the eagle,” originally tied to places named Aguilar.
The #134 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 1,655 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Aguilar is a Spanish surname formed from the place-name Aguilar, itself ultimately from Latin aquila, meaning “eagle.” In surname use, it usually meant someone who came from a town, estate, or region called Aguilar. Some older writers glossed it simply as “of the eagle,” reflecting the place-name’s origin rather than a literal nickname.
History
The name is common across the Spanish-speaking world and is strongly associated with toponymic origins in Spain. Historical surname dictionaries from the 19th century regularly treat it as a Spanish locational name rather than as an occupational or descriptive surname. It has spread widely through migration to the Americas, where it is now especially common.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Several Spanish places carry the name Aguilar, which is why the surname can trace back to more than one original locality.
From the historical record
“AGNEW (S.), Lamb. A family of French extraction. AGNOLO, d' (It.), of Angel. Ange, de 1' {£.), of the Angel. AGUILAR, de (5p.), of Eagle. Arms: Or, an eagle sa. AHOUT (53.), Aan't hout. At the wood. {v. Awater.) AIKENHEAD (Q^.), Head of the oaks. (v. Berkenhead.) AINS WORTH {(B-)i Ains' or Ainulph's farm or manor.…”
— Surnames