Valdez
A Spanish surname most often linked to a place name, probably meaning “from Valde(s)” or “of the valley.”
The #244 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 2,470 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Valdez is a Spanish surname that is usually understood as locational, referring to someone from a place called Valde or Valdés, or to a name built on Spanish valde- elements linked with a valley. The deeper root is Latin vallis, meaning “valley,” which appears in many Spanish place names and surnames. In some cases the name may reflect association with an estate or settlement rather than a literal descriptive nickname.
History
The surname is well established in Spain and also appears in several Spanish-speaking regions of the Americas through migration and colonial-era settlement. In the modern era it is especially common in Latin American countries and among Hispanic communities in the United States. Some families may trace the name to Asturias or other northern Spanish localities associated with the related form Valdés.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Valdez is one of the more familiar Hispanic surnames in the United States, where it ranks among the most common Spanish-origin names.