Paz
A surname from Spanish and other Romance languages meaning “peace,” often arising from a devotional name or from the phrase de la paz (“of peace”).
The #1,384 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 12,073 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Paz comes from the Spanish word for “peace,” from Latin pax, pacis. As a surname it most often began either as a devotional or symbolic name, or as part of a phrase such as de la paz, meaning “of peace.” In some cases it may also reflect the use of Paz as a personal name or byname inspired by the virtue of peace.
History
The surname is found in Spain and across the Hispanic world, and it also appears in Portuguese and other Romance-language contexts. Historical writers sometimes connect related forms to religious naming traditions, especially devotional names built on peace imagery. In the Americas it became common through Spanish and Portuguese colonial settlement and later migration.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The related feminine royal-style name De la Paz appears in older Spanish historical and literary references as a name expressing gentleness or peace-making.
From the historical record
“: granted by Geoflry Martel 10ol\ From his elder son descended ihe . Barons of Craon (Du Paz, Mais. I Bretagne, 7.35). His younger son ! Guy de Craon accompanied the Con- queror, and held 61 lordships in capitc 105G, and was aucostor of the f.'mily in England.”
— The Norman People and their existing descendants in the British dominions and the United States