Feliz
A Spanish and Portuguese surname from the word for “happy” or “fortunate.”
The #6,452 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 58,686 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Feliz comes from the Iberian word feliz, meaning “happy,” “fortunate,” or “blessed.” That word goes back to Latin felix, which had a similar sense of luck, success, and good fortune. As a surname, it likely began as a nickname for someone thought to be fortunate, cheerful, or blessed.
History
The surname is found in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking settings and appears in historical records as an established family name by the medieval period. The excerpts also show it being noted in genealogical and surname lists as a recognized Iberian form. In some cases it may have been reinforced or reshaped by the common Christian given name Felix/Felice, but the basic meaning remains the same.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same Latin root behind Feliz also gave English words like “felicity” and “felixible” in older learned usage, all tied to the idea of good fortune.
From the historical record
“Felix. Padulphu.5 Fellox of Kormandv llOo, Nicholas Feliz 1193 (MPS). Gilbert, llu-h, John Felice of England c. li'72 (PII). Fell, from Faikt,. Willirun Faiel of Xormandy lliO, fJilb-irt Faiel”
— The Norman People and their existing descendants in the British dominions and the United States