Díaz
A classic Spanish patronymic meaning “son of Diego,” ultimately tied to the name Jacob.
The #55 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 888 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Díaz is a Spanish patronymic surname, originally meaning “son of Diego.” The historical sources here connect Diego with an older name-form ultimately related to Jacob, so the surname’s deepest roots are often explained through that chain of given-name development. In older spelling and pronunciation, the final -z represents an old genitive or patronymic ending that marked descent.
History
The surname is long established in Spain and across the Spanish-speaking world. In the Americas it became especially widespread through colonial-era migration and later population growth, and it remains one of the most common Hispanic surnames today. The accent mark in modern Spanish spelling distinguishes it from the unaccented form found in some records and non-Spanish contexts.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
It follows the same naming pattern as other famous Spanish surnames like López, Martínez, and Rodríguez: all began as “son of” names.
From the historical record
“DE WOLF I' the + wolf] DIAZ (Span.) a contracted genit. of Diago (Diego) = Jacob, q.v. in Diet. DIETRICH (Ger.) People or Mighty Ruler [see under Theodoric in Diet.] DIEZ I C^^"") '^'™' fornis of Dietricjh, q.v. DITTMAR (Ger.) People or Mightily Famous [O.H.Ger. diot(a, nation, people (see Theed in Diet.) -1- mdri…”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)