González, Rodríguez, and García are some of the most common surnames in Latin America, a legacy of Spanish colonization that brought not only the language and religion but also names and surnames.
According to the site Forebears, González, the most common surname in countries such as Argentina, Chile, and Venezuela, has Spanish origins and is a typical example of patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's name.
In this case, it means "son of Gonzalo," as the suffix "-ez" indicates filiation, a common practice in Spain.
On the other hand, Rodríguez is most common in countries such as Colombia, Costa Rica, and Uruguay. Similar to the previous case, it is a patronymic surname meaning “son of Rodrigo,” and it has its roots in Spain.
García is another of the most common surnames in Ecuador. Of Basque origin, its exact meaning is uncertain, although it is speculated that it may derive from the Basque word "artz," which means "bear."
In many cases, surnames of Spanish origin were adopted by Indigenous peoples and those of African descent, whether by imposition or choice. This process of mestizo blending has created a rich diversity that is now common throughout the region, noted the news portal La República.
In Spain, the five most common surnames are García, González, Fernández, Rodríguez, and López, three of which happen to be among the most frequent in Latin America, noted the National Statistics Institute, as cited by Wikipedia.
Of these five, the most common surnames in Cuba are Rodríguez and González, according to Forebears.
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