Legaspi
A Filipino surname ultimately tied to the Spanish explorer Legazpi, often seen as a phonetic spelling of that historical name.
The #9,251 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 87,712 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Legaspi is generally understood as a Filipino surname linked to the Spanish name Legazpi, famously borne by Miguel López de Legazpi, the 16th-century Spanish conquistador and colonial governor in the Philippines. The name itself is usually treated as a Spanish surname of Basque origin, though the exact place-name or word source is not always presented consistently in popular references. In modern usage, Legaspi is often a spelling adapted to Filipino pronunciation and orthography, while Legazpi is the more standard Spanish form.
History
The surname is especially associated with the Philippines, where Spanish-era surnames became widespread and many families adopted or adapted Iberian names. The variation with -sp- instead of -zp- reflects local spelling and pronunciation habits rather than a separate ancient lineage. Because of the historical prominence of Miguel López de Legazpi, the name also carries strong regional and colonial-historical associations.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The Spanish city of Legazpi in the Philippines is named after Miguel López de Legazpi, which helped make the surname highly recognizable in Filipino history.