Hispanic Last Names Starting With C

This list of Hispanic surnames starting with C is based on the 2010 United States census.

The U.S. census of 2010 included a question that asked if the person was “Spanish / Hispanic/ Latino”.

This means that our list is based on the self-declaration of Hispanic heritage. Our cutoff of 60% is to be more sure that the last names were typically Hispanic.

We also take a look at the Mexican census of 1930 and show comparisons with the United States.

Hispanic Last Names Beginning With C

Let’s start with names from Caamano to Cajigas. Within this section, Cabrera is the most common on the list.

There are some small towns throughout Spain with this name and their dwellers may have adopted the name when traveling.

But the name also has origins in the Spanish word for a goatherd. So, people who tended goats may also have adopted the name.

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Caamano	916	1,058	87%
Caba	1,942	2,506	77%
Cabada	993	1,069	93%
Caballero	25,796	28,903	89%
Caban	4,906	5,974	82%
Cabanas	2,178	2,528	86%
Cabanillas	876	980	89%
Cabello	4,597	5,358	86%
Cabeza	813	924	88%
Cabezas	2,627	2,909	90%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Cabrales	3,219	3,516	92%
Cabreja	705	729	97%
Cabrera	76,112	83,621	91%
Caceres	11,260	12,269	92%
Cacho	1,596	2,467	65%
Cadavid	924	1,010	91%
Cadena	10,714	11,560	93%
Cadenas	1,761	1,870	94%
Cahue	831	871	95%
Caicedo	2,150	2,356	91%
Cajamarca	816	831	98%
Cajigas	865	1,031	84%

Hispanic names from Calcano to Campillo

Calderon is the most common name in this section. There are several theories around the Spanish origins of this name.

Perhaps the most popular theory is that it comes from the Spanish word “caldera”, which means a crater or bowl-shaped hollow in the ground.

So, families living near an area with that kind of topography take this name.

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Calcano	722	779	93%
Caldera	6,969	7,802	89%
Calderon	71,342	77,085	93%
Calero	2,222	2,446	91%
Calix	1,897	2,137	89%
Calixto	4,133	4,458	93%
Calle	4,392	5,091	86%
Calleja	1,232	1,868	66%
Callejas	3,583	3,792	94%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Calleros	1,268	1,343	94%
Calles	2,570	3,026	85%
Calva	990	1,093	91%
Calvario	815	948	86%
Calvillo	9,417	10,032	94%
Calvo	5,028	6,883	73%
Calzada	4,650	5,022	93%
Calzadilla	802	866	93%
Camacho	60,805	67,893	90%
Camarena	10,664	11,154	96%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Camargo	8,472	9,626	88%
Camarillo	10,198	11,066	92%
Camberos	1,490	1,544	97%
Camejo	1,312	1,427	92%
Camero	957	1,357	71%
Camilo	2,082	2,396	87%
Campa	4,903	5,709	86%
Campas	831	1,209	69%
Campillo	795	967	82%

Hispanic names from Campos to Cansino

Campos is the most common name in this section and was ranked in the top four hundred names in the 2010 U.S. census.

The name Campos originates from the Spanish word for “fields”. It was given to families who lived in a rural area as opposed to in a village or town.

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Campos	87,000	96,111	91%
Campoverde	1,769	1,855	95%
Campusano	840	867	97%
Campuzano	4,461	4,758	94%
Canal	683	1,135	60%
Canales	22,350	24,384	92%
Canas	4,268	4,832	88%
Cancel	3,203	3,801	84%
Canchola	4,431	4,758	93%
Cancino	2,841	3,139	91%
Candelaria	6,873	8,483	81%
Candelario	4,498	5,053	89%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Candelas	945	987	96%
Candia	1,622	1,973	82%
Canedo	1,416	1,651	86%
Canela	3,190	3,619	88%
Canelo	707	754	94%
Canez	1,721	1,874	92%
Canizales	2,109	2,198	96%
Canizalez	757	798	95%
Cano	34,106	37,368	91%
Canseco	2,088	2,212	94%
Cansino	722	912	79%

Hispanic names from Cantarero to Carillo

Cardenas is the most common name in this section.

There are several places named Cardenas throughout Spain. The name is thought to come from the Spanish for a bluish purple color, often referring to thistles.

So, families living in areas populated with thistle bushes may have adopted this name.

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Cantarero	795	843	94%
Cantero	1,912	2,253	85%
Cantillo	682	885	77%
Cantoran	684	695	98%
Cantu	44,651	49,126	91%
Canul	701	751	93%
Capellan	1,757	1,868	94%
Capetillo	2,227	2,388	93%
Capistran	861	1,091	79%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Capote	1,600	1,798	89%
Carabajal	1,234	1,438	86%
Caraballo	11,342	12,546	90%
Carachure	1,027	1,040	99%
Carapia	719	746	96%
Caraveo	1,913	2,060	93%
Carbajal	20,676	21,838	95%
Carballo	4,355	4,813	90%
Carbonell	1,710	2,718	63%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Carcamo	4,902	5,205	94%
Carchi	783	813	96%
Cardenas	72,760	77,652	94%
Cardiel	2,300	2,517	91%
Cardona	30,034	32,727	92%
Cardoza	8,280	12,824	65%
Cardozo	1,637	2,240	73%
Carias	2,056	2,180	94%
Carillo	3,559	4,774	75%

Hispanic names from Carlos to Carvajal

Carrillo is the most common name in this section.

It probably originates from the Spanish word for a cheek (side of the face).

There is speculation that the name was conferred on people who were brash or shameless (i.e. had cheek or were cheeky).

It can also be traced back to a Spanish noble family from the Kingdom of Castile that branched out through several regions.

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Carlos	10,605	15,462	69%
Carmona	24,600	26,774	92%
Carnero	706	773	91%
Caro	7,448	10,064	74%
Carpio	5,930	7,561	78%
Carranco	1,242	1,330	93%
Carranza	27,043	28,581	95%
Carrasco	29,245	31,575	93%
Carrasquillo	6,490	7,015	93%
Carreno	6,418	7,146	90%
Carreon	10,999	12,941	85%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Carrera	14,610	16,533	88%
Carreras	2,103	2,639	80%
Carrero	3,579	4,126	87%
Carretero	829	909	91%
Carreto	1,285	1,332	96%
Carrillo	85,051	91,129	93%
Carrion	8,981	10,316	87%
Carrizal	702	756	93%
Carrizales	6,496	6,845	95%
Cartagena	7,886	8,467	93%
Carvajal	8,092	8,883	91%

Hispanic names from Casado to Castrejon

Castillo is the most common name in this section, and is in the top one hundred names in the 2010 United States census.

The origins are in the Spanish word for a castle. Families residing in a fortified building may be conferred with this name.

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Casado	2,029	2,391	85%
Casados	1,301	1,559	83%
Casanova	6,772	9,201	74%
Casares	3,894	4,309	90%
Casarez	6,552	7,140	92%
Casarrubias	1,362	1,398	97%
Casas	18,205	19,777	92%
Casasola	807	951	85%
Casaus	832	1,042	80%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Casco	1,148	1,350	85%
Casiano	4,629	5,369	86%
Casias	2,749	3,303	83%
Casillas	21,359	22,710	94%
Casimiro	1,391	2,027	69%
Casique	823	849	97%
Castaneda	66,672	71,368	93%
Castano	4,954	6,133	81%
Castanon	7,275	7,673	95%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Castelan	3,500	3,611	97%
Castellanos	29,325	30,859	95%
Castellon	7,406	8,041	92%
Castelo	945	1,445	65%
Castilla	1,800	2,071	87%
Castilleja	2,976	3,183	94%
Castillo	207,977	230,420	90%
Castillon	1,298	1,657	78%
Castorena	4,373	4,759	92%
Castrejon	6,005	6,180	97%

Hispanic names from Castrellon to Ceja

Castro is the most common surname in this section, ranking at 138th in the 2010 U.S. census.

This name has the same origins as Castillo in our previous section. It comes from the Spanish word for a castle.

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Castrellon	1,108	1,142	97%
Castrillo	869	1,022	85%
Castrillon	1,019	1,131	90%
Castro	160,970	184,134	87%
Castruita	1,658	1,758	94%
Catala	661	869	76%
Catalan	5,776	6,899	84%
Catano	1,708	1,915	89%
Caudillo	4,019	4,418	91%
Cavazos	16,033	17,361	92%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Cayetano	1,500	2,167	69%
Cazares	15,582	16,134	97%
Cazarez	2,016	2,058	98%
Ceballos	14,586	15,515	94%
Cebreros	861	885	97%
Cecena	1,036	1,214	85%
Cedano	1,296	1,367	95%
Cedeno	8,455	9,412	90%
Cedillo	10,080	10,538	96%
Cedillos	1,093	1,136	96%
Ceja	16,960	17,423	97%

Hispanic names from Celaya to Chairez

Cervantes is the most common name within this section. There is also the less common variant of Cervantez (with a zed).

Families who came from the town of Cervantes in the Lugo province in Spain may have adopted the name. But it also originates from the Spanish word for servant.

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Celaya	4,082	4,664	88%
Celedon	1,181	1,231	96%
Celestino	944	1,452	65%
Celis	4,683	5,546	84%
Cendejas	3,293	3,390	97%
Ceniceros	3,731	3,924	95%
Centeno	12,986	14,510	90%
Cepeda	10,498	11,572	91%
Cepero	1,104	1,201	92%
Cerda	16,554	17,703	94%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Cereceres	973	1,019	95%
Cerezo	1,322	1,927	69%
Cerna	5,246	5,726	92%
Ceron	4,731	4,998	95%
Cerrillo	1,025	1,146	89%
Cerritos	1,623	1,689	96%
Cerros	1,095	1,128	97%
Cervantes	78,308	82,161	95%
Cervantez	4,527	4,874	93%
Cervera	1,999	2,329	86%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Cesena	984	1,231	80%
Cespedes	4,718	5,168	91%
Cevallos	2,859	3,069	93%
Chacon	25,732	27,982	92%
Chagolla	1,606	1,696	95%
Chagoya	1,283	1,354	95%
Chaidez	4,678	4,826	97%
Chaires	1,276	1,743	73%
Chairez	6,038	6,186	98%

Hispanic names from Chamarro to Chirinos

Chavez is the most common name in this section, ranking 83rd in the 2010 U.S. census.

The name derives from the Spanish or Portuguese word that means “keys”. Someone who was a locksmith would be given this name.

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Chamorro	2,416	2,602	93%
Chapa	14,305	15,865	90%
Chaparro	5,711	6,066	94%
Chavarin	2,284	2,341	98%
Chavarria	17,307	18,492	94%
Chavero	832	859	97%
Chavez	233,235	250,898	93%
Chavira	8,170	8,573	95%
Checo	907	955	95%
Chevere	694	758	92%
Chevez	1,766	1,870	94%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Chica	1,110	1,197	93%
Chicas	4,185	4,324	97%
Chico	2,361	3,308	71%
Chihuahua	714	745	96%
Chinchilla	3,311	3,561	93%
Chino	1,170	1,778	66%
Chiquito	708	958	74%
Chiriboga	689	792	87%
Chirino	1,473	1,540	96%
Chirinos	1,822	1,948	94%

Hispanic names from Cibrian to Colocho

Cisneros is the most common name in this section.

The name was conferred on families from the town of Cisneros in the Palencia province of Spain.

But the word “Cisneros” also derives from the Spanish phrase for “a place of swans”. So, it might be given to any person residing near a body of water with these graceful creatures.

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Cibrian	1,240	1,294	96%
Cid	2,586	2,975	87%
Cienfuegos	1,362	1,445	94%
Cifuentes	6,002	6,325	95%
Cigarroa	695	712	98%
Cintron	11,145	12,349	90%
Ciprian	731	887	82%
Ciriaco	656	850	77%
Cirilo	1,131	1,325	85%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Cisnero	686	763	90%
Cisneros	48,237	50,920	95%
Clara	887	1,099	81%
Claros	2,572	2,798	92%
Claudio	5,503	6,679	82%
Clavel	814	999	81%
Clavijo	1,339	1,448	92%
Cobian	3,301	3,548	93%
Cobo	944	1,210	78%
Cobos	4,594	4,980	92%
Coca	1,698	2,162	79%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Coello	2,595	2,919	89%
Colin	5,786	8,318	70%
Colina	775	1,081	72%
Colindres	2,441	2,560	95%
Collado	7,931	9,201	86%
Collazo	13,208	14,369	92%
Colmenares	2,000	2,168	92%
Colmenero	1,830	1,999	92%
Colocho	809	834	97%

Hispanic names from Colon to Cordon

Contreras is the most common name in this section, ranked within the top three hundred names in the 2010 U.S. census.

This is also the name of a place in the Spanish province of Burgos.

But the word also derives from a Latin phrase that means “comes from the surrounding area”.

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Colon	60,436	67,338	90%
Colorado	2,322	2,650	88%
Colunga	4,282	4,616	93%
Comas	791	1,172	67%
Compean	2,206	2,298	96%
Concepcion	8,640	12,332	70%
Concha	1,514	1,947	78%
Conchas	1,157	1,183	98%
Conde	7,489	10,430	72%
Conejo	1,481	1,546	96%
Constancio	844	957	88%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Constante	790	916	86%
Constanza	890	1,041	85%
Consuegra	972	1,049	93%
Contrera	718	914	79%
Contreras	123,187	130,164	95%
Copado	724	759	95%
Cora	1,321	1,970	67%
Corado	2,138	2,300	93%
Corchado	1,930	2,055	94%
Cordero	25,854	30,158	86%
Cordoba	4,331	4,744	91%
Cordon	1,801	2,912	62%

Hispanic names from Corea to Cossio

Cortez is the most common name in this section. The variant of Cortes is also in the top hundred American names in the 2010 U.S. census.

You may not be surprised to learn that the origins of the name are in the Spanish word for “courteous”.

It was a name bestowed on people considered to have an accomplished education and able to express themselves politely.

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Corea	2,402	3,176	76%
Coreas	3,278	3,369	97%
Corella	1,110	1,431	78%
Coria	5,020	5,625	89%
Cornejo	16,405	17,591	93%
Cornelio	2,008	2,547	79%
Corniel	771	850	91%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Corona	37,514	41,553	90%
Coronado	25,571	27,626	93%
Coronel	6,622	7,745	86%
Corporan	767	832	92%
Corpus	2,426	3,901	62%
Corral	15,210	16,808	90%
Corrales	10,225	11,348	90%
Correa	32,646	38,232	85%
Corredor	784	860	91%
Corro	723	866	83%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Cortes	42,716	46,229	92%
Cortez	91,169	101,694	90%
Cortina	2,170	3,031	72%
Cortinas	2,934	3,222	91%
Corvera	883	959	92%
Corzo	1,244	1,357	92%
Cosio	1,931	2,316	83%
Cosme	4,617	5,405	85%
Cossio	1,541	1,638	94%

Hispanic names from Costilla to Curiel

Cruz is ranked 57th in the 2010 U.S. census and is the most common name in this section.

We can trace the name back to first appearances in the ancient Kingdom of Castile in Spain. But the origins of the name come from the Spanish word for “cross”.

During the Spanish inquisition, people increasing adopted the name to show evidence of their religious loyalties.

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Costilla	2,606	2,872	91%
Cota	7,918	11,554	69%
Coto	2,414	2,814	86%
Cotto	5,771	6,506	89%
Covarrubias	17,420	18,189	96%
Crespin	2,162	2,734	79%
Crespo	15,662	17,629	89%
Criollo	1,076	1,123	96%
Crisanto	734	841	87%
Cristobal	2,168	3,602	60%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Cruz	293,696	334,201	88%
Cruzado	982	1,186	83%
Cruzgarcia	874	889	98%
Cruzhernandez	927	958	97%
Cruzlopez	923	936	99%
Cruzmartinez	872	888	98%
Cuadra	2,552	2,863	89%
Cuadrado	1,438	1,558	92%
Cuadros	1,190	1,308	91%
Cuautle	1,033	1,052	98%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Cubas	1,356	1,458	93%
Cubero	986	1,212	81%
Cubias	1,112	1,153	96%
Cubillos	743	814	91%
Cuebas	666	774	86%
Cuellar	20,451	22,324	92%
Cuello	1,491	1,673	89%

Last Name	# Who Declared Hispanic	# Total Holders	% Declared Hispanic
Cuen	675	757	89%
Cuenca	2,686	3,381	79%
Cuervo	1,576	1,782	88%
Cuesta	2,070	2,520	82%
Cueto	3,034	3,833	79%
Cueva	3,621	4,008	90%
Cuevas	39,436	43,701	90%
Curbelo	1,431	1,552	92%
Curiel	9,454	9,983	95%