Colombian surnames that come from Spain and you probably didn't know, according to AI

A recent analysis using artificial intelligence (AI) made it possible to identify the Hispanic roots of many surnames commonly used in Colombia , as well as others that, although less common, are equally representative of its identity. Which ones have Spanish origins and perhaps were previously unknown?

By cross-referencing genealogical sources, colonial records, and linguistic patterns, AI has mapped the Iberian heritage that remains present in the identity of millions of Colombians. The well-known—and not-so-well-known—Colombian surnames that originate from Spain

According to the ChatGPT response, the surnames García, Rodríguez, Martínez, Pérez, López, and Sánchez top the list of the most common in Colombia, with deep roots in Spain.

These surnames arrived during the colonial era, when soldiers, religious leaders, officials, and settlers from the Iberian Peninsula settled in the New Kingdom of Granada. Over the generations, their names mingled with the indigenous and Afro-descendant populations, becoming part of the Colombian national identity.

But beyond these widely known surnames, AI has also identified others with Hispanic roots that, although less common, are equally representative.

So names like Palacios, Salcedo, Londoño, Castañeda, Villamizar, Restrepo, and Téllez have origins that can be traced back to specific regions of Spain, such as Castile, Galicia, the Basque Country, and Andalusia. Many of them originated as toponyms—that is, derived from geographical locations—or as descriptions of a family's occupation, caste, or even physical characteristics.

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This analysis not only provides interesting insights into given names, but also opens the door to reflection on the deep connections between Colombia and Spain, and how colonization not only left its mark on language and religion, but also on family identity. Furthermore, the study reveals how surnames evolve and adapt over time. While some have changed spelling, others have been mistakenly modified in civil registries, and many have acquired new cultural connotations as they have integrated into Colombia's diverse reality.

From the mountains of Santander to the Caribbean coasts, passing through the Andean valleys and the Amazon region, Spanish surnames coexist with names of Indigenous, African, and non-Hispanic European origin, forming a mosaic of identities that make Colombia unique.

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Colombian surnames of Spanish origin highlighted by the AI

• Very common : García, Rodríguez, Martínez, López, Pérez, Sánchez. The "Colombian Surnames" page indicates that these are at the top of the list.

• Of geographical or historical origin : Salcedo, Palacios, Téllez, Villamizar, Londoño, Castañeda, Restrepo.

• Related to trades or characteristics: Molina (miller), Guerrero (soldier), Herrera (blacksmith)

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