Mendosa
A Spanish surname likely linked to the word for “mendacious” or, more likely, a place-name form associated with Mendoza.
The #9,144 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 86,532 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The excerpted source treats Mendosa as a Spanish form related to the adjective mendosa, glossed as “mendacious,” and ties it to the better-known surname Mendoza. In practice, Mendosa is usually understood as a spelling variant or Anglicized rendering of Mendoza rather than a separate independently formed surname. The ultimate root is commonly connected with a place-name in Spain, though older writers sometimes offered a folk-etymological explanation from Spanish words meaning false or deceitful.
History
Mendoza is an old and prominent Spanish surname, long associated with a major noble house from the Basque Country. English-language records sometimes render it as Mendosa, reflecting pronunciation or spelling variation. The form is comparatively uncommon and likely appears mainly as an alternate spelling rather than a distinct lineage in its own right.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The famous Spanish surname Mendoza has been borne by one of the most influential noble families in Iberian history; Mendosa is a much rarer spelling variant.
From the historical record
“MENDEZ I under Mend-el. ■ MENDOZA (Span.) app. f. the fem., mendosa, of Span. ffi^Mdrfjo,' mendacious.' MENIER (Fr.) i Miner [South. Fr. minier (Fr. mineur) ; of Celt. orig. : cp. Gael, mein,”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)