Explore the rich tapestry of Peruvian heritage through the lens of last names that begin with the letter “P”.
From the regal Padilla to the noble Pariona, discover the diverse origins and meanings behind these surnames, each carrying a unique story of ancestry and pride.
| Last Name | Meaning |
| Pachacútec | He who turns the world upside down |
| Pajuelo | Little bird |
| Palomino | Dove |
| Pardo | Brown |
| Pari | Rain |
| Pasquel | Easter |
Pabellón: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “pavilion,” and it may have originally been given to someone who lived in or near a pavilion.
Pacheco: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “covenant,” and it may have originally been given to someone who was known for keeping their promises.
Pacori: This surname is of Quechua origin, and it means “one who speaks.” It may have originally been given to someone who was known for their eloquence or their ability to communicate effectively.
Padilla: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “stepmother,” and it may have originally been given to someone who had a stepmother.
Paiva: This surname is of Portuguese origin, and it means “son of Paio.” Paio is a Portuguese given name that is derived from the Latin name Patricius, which means “nobleman.”
Palacios: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “palace,” and it may have originally been given to someone who lived in or near a palace.
Palomino: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “dove,” and it may have originally been given to someone who was known for their gentleness or their peacefulness.
Pancorbo: This surname is of Basque origin, and it means “son of Pancorbo.” Pancorbo is a town in Spain.
Parada: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “stop,” and it may have originally been given to someone who lived near a place where people stopped, such as a crossroads or a rest stop.
Paredes: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “wall,” and it may have originally been given to someone who lived near a wall, such as a city wall or a castle wall.
Pari: This surname is of Quechua origin, and it means “chief.” It may have originally been given to someone who was a leader or a person of high status.
Pariona: This surname is of Quechua origin, and it means “one who is powerful.” It may have originally been given to someone who was known for their strength or their courage.
Pasquel: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “Easter,” and it may have originally been given to someone who was born on Easter Sunday.
Payano: This surname is of Spanish origin, and it may have originally been given to someone who lived in or near a village or a small town.
Paz: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “peace,” and it may have originally been given to someone who was known for their peaceful nature or their ability to resolve conflicts.
Pedraza: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “stone,” and it may have originally been given to someone who lived near a stone quarry or a rocky area.
Peña: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “rock,” and it may have originally been given to someone who lived near a rock or a rocky area.
Peralta: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “high,” and it may have originally been given to someone who lived in a high place, such as a mountain or a hill.
Perez: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “son of Pero,” and Pero is a Spanish given name that is derived from the Latin name Petrus, which means “rock.”
Perea: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “pear tree,” and it may have originally been given to someone who lived near a pear tree or who cultivated pear trees.
Pinedo: This surname is of Spanish origin, and it may have originally been given to someone who lived in or near a pine forest.
Pinto: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “painted,” and it may have originally been given to someone who was known for their colorful clothing or their artistic talents.
Pizarro: This surname is of Basque origin, and it means “son of Pizarra.” Pizarra is a town in Spain.
Poma: This surname is of Quechua origin, and it means “puma.” It may have originally been given to someone who was known for their strength or their courage.
Ponce: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “bridge,” and it may have originally been given to someone who lived near a bridge or who worked on a bridge.
Porras: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “leek,” and it may have originally been given to someone who cultivated leeks or who sold leeks in the market.
Pozo: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “well,” and it may have originally been given to someone who lived near a well or who worked at a well.
Prado: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “meadow,” and it may have originally been given to someone who lived in or near a meadow.
Prieto: This surname is derived from the Spanish word for “dark,” and it may have originally been given to someone who had dark hair or dark skin.
Puma: This surname is of Quechua origin, and it means “puma.” It may have originally been given to someone who was known for their strength or their courage.
Peruvian Last Names That Start With P
Padilla
Padilla is a common Peruvian last name of Spanish origin.
It is derived from the Late Latin name “Patella”, meaning “shallow dish”.
The name was brought to Peru by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century and quickly became popular among the local population.
Paiva
Paiva is a Peruvian last name that originated in Portugal.
It is derived from the Portuguese word “paiva,” which means “riverbank” or “riverside.” The name was brought to Peru by early Spanish and Portuguese settlers and has since become a common surname among Peruvians of European descent.
Palacios
Palacios is a common Peruvian last name with Spanish origins. It derives from the word “palacio,” meaning “palace” or “large house.” The name suggests a connection to nobility or grandeur, and it is often associated with families of high social status in Peru.
Palomino
Palomino is a Peruvian last name that is derived from the Spanish word “palomino,” which means “pale dove.” It is a relatively common surname in Peru, and it is also found in other parts of the world, such as Spain, Mexico, and the United States.
Pancorbo
Pancorbo, a Peruvian last name with Basque origins, is believed to derive from the phrase “pan corbo,” meaning “crooked bread.” It is a relatively uncommon surname, with a rich history and unique cultural significance in Peru.
Parada
Parada, a Peruvian last name of Spanish origin, carries a legacy of pride and tradition. It is derived from the Spanish word “parada,” meaning “stopping place” or “inn.”
Paredes
Paredes is a common Peruvian last name that originated in Spain. It is derived from the word “pared,” which means “wall” in Spanish.
The name was likely given to someone who lived near or worked with walls.
Pari
Pari, a prominent Peruvian surname, traces its roots to the ancient Quechua language.
It signifies a “flowering shrub,” symbolizing beauty and prosperity.
Notable individuals bearing this name include Peruvian writer Alberto Hidalgo, known for his avant-garde poetry, and Peruvian painter and sculptor Ramiro Llona, celebrated for his contributions to modern art.
Pariona
Pariona, a surname of Peruvian origin, is believed to derive from the Aymara language, potentially meaning “the one who belongs to the sun.” It is commonly found in regions with a strong Aymara presence, particularly in the southern Andes of Peru.
Pasquel
Pasquel is a Peruvian last name that has Spanish origins. It is derived from the given name Pascual, which means “Easter.” Pasquel is a relatively common surname in Peru, ranking among the top 100 most popular last names in the country.
Payano
The Payano surname traces its origins back to the land of the Incas, Peru.
It is a relatively common name in the country, ranking among the top 100 most popular last names.
The name is thought to derive from the Quechua word “payan,” meaning “to go” or “to travel.”
Paz
- Paz, meaning “peace” in Spanish, is a common surname in Peru.
- It is believed to have originated in the region of Ayacucho.
- Notable individuals with the Paz surname include former Peruvian President Luis Paz Estenssoro and writer Octavio Paz.
Pedraza
Pedraza, a prominent Peruvian last name, traces its roots back to the Basque region of Spain. It is believed to have originated from the Basque word “petratza,” meaning “rocky place.” Pedraza families can be found throughout Peru, particularly in the regions of Lima, Arequipa, and Cusco.
Peña
Peña is a Peruvian last name that originates from the Spanish word “peña,” meaning “rock” or “cliff.” It is a common surname in Peru and other Spanish-speaking countries, and it is often associated with strength, stability, and resilience.
Peralta
Peralta, a prominent Peruvian surname, is often associated with the ancient city of Paralta in the Cusco region.
It is believed to have originated from the Quechua word “pampa,” meaning “plain” or “flat land.” Notable individuals bearing the Peralta surname include Peruvian explorer Pedro Peralta and Argentine footballer Gabriel Peralta.
Perez
Perez is a common Peruvian last name with Spanish origins. It is typically derived from the name Pedro, which means “stone” or “rock” in Latin.
Perez is often associated with strength, stability, and reliability.
People with this surname are often seen as dependable and trustworthy.
Perea
Perea is a Peruvian last name that likely originated from Spain.
It is believed to derive from the Latin word “petra,” meaning “stone,” possibly indicating a connection to a rocky or mountainous region.
The name may have been adopted by individuals living near or working with stones, such as quarry workers or builders.
Pinedo
Pinedo is a common Peruvian last name that originated in Spain. It is derived from the Spanish word “pino,” meaning “pine tree.” The name was likely adopted by individuals who lived near or worked with pine trees.
It is also a toponymic surname, derived from places called Pinedo in Spain and Italy.
Pinto
Pinto is a common Peruvian last name with origins in Spanish and Portuguese.
It is derived from the word “pinto,” which means “painted” or “speckled” in Spanish.
The name likely originated as a nickname for someone with a distinctive birthmark or other physical characteristic.
Pizarro
Pizarro, a prominent Peruvian last name, holds historical significance. Francisco Pizarro, a renowned conquistador, played a pivotal role in the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire in the 16th century.
The name Pizarro is a Spanish adaptation of the Basque surname “Pissarro,” meaning “little hill.”
Poma
Poma is a Peruvian last name of Quechua origin, meaning “condor.” Condors are large, majestic birds of prey found in the Andes Mountains of South America. The Poma name is a symbol of strength, power, and freedom.
Ponce
Ponce is a Peruvian last name of Spanish origin, derived from the Latin word “pontem”, meaning “bridge”. It is a common surname in Peru, particularly in the regions of Arequipa, Cusco, and Puno.
Notable people with this surname include:
- Pedro Ponce de León, a Spanish conquistador and founder of the city of Arequipa.
- Manuel Ponce, a Mexican composer and pianist.
- Carlos Ponce, a Puerto Rican singer, actor, and television host.
Porras
Porras, a prominent Peruvian surname, traces its roots to the Basque region of Spain, where it signifies “dovecote” or “stronghold overlooking a pass.” Individuals bearing this name often exhibit leadership qualities, resilience, and a strong sense of community.
Pozo
Pozo, a Peruvian last name, has roots in the Spanish word for “well” or “spring.” It’s often associated with places named after natural water sources, such as springs or wells. Notable individuals with this surname include Peruvian singer Lucha Reyes and footballer Nolberto Solano.
Prado
Prado is a Peruvian last name derived from the Spanish word “prado,” meaning “meadow” or “pasture.” It originated in the region of Cantabria, Spain, and was brought to Peru during the Spanish colonization. Prado is a relatively common surname in Peru, with notable bearers including former presidents Manuel Prado Ugarteche and Mariano Ignacio Prado.
Prieto
The Prieto surname is a common Peruvian last name of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Late Latin word “praetus,” meaning “soldier” or “guard.” Prieto is also found in other Spanish-speaking countries, such as Spain, Mexico, and Argentina.
Final Verdict
Peruvian last names that start with the letter “P” are a diverse and vibrant part of the country’s rich cultural heritage.
From Padilla to Prado, each surname carries a unique history and significance, reflecting the diverse ethnicities and backgrounds that have shaped Peru’s identity.
These last names are not only a source of pride for Peruvian individuals but also a testament to the enduring legacy of the nation’s ancestors.
