What is the correct way to say the last name of a Spanish person?

Question

Since Spanish people use so many surnames, when they tell what their name is, is it permissible if we use only the last one as we do in English? That was a hard question for me to put into words. Thanks to all who answer.

Answer 1

There was an interesting thread on this not so long ago I think. I can't remember where it was. But the upshot was, the final two words of the surname are taken from the paternal and maternal sides respectively, and you'd just use the paternal (i.e. the second last.) So Gabriel José de la Concordia García Márquez is Sr. García. Is that what you mean?

Also, maybe read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_naming_customs, it's fairly enlightening.

• Thank you. - billy-jones Nov 10, 2009

Answer 2

and you'd just use the paternal (i.e. the second last.)

I would suffice it to say that you use the paternal surname and forget which one is which. You might find this interesting from the article below:

Recent changes to laws in Spain mean that you may also find the two surnames reversed - first the mother's surname, and then the father's surname.

Spanish Surnames

Way back when I was in school it was First (Christian) Name Paternal Family name Maternal Family name and in the case of a woman when she married she tacked on her husband's paternal family name.

Another useful link

Answer 3

I don't get your post quentin. It is extremely unusual that a woman'¡s family name comes first, and even though the law allows this, it is simply not done.

so the answer to your question, billy, like limes has pointed out:

María José Navarro Garcia

This would be: María Garcia

You normally skip the second or third first name too.

• Thank you. - billy-jones Nov 10, 2009