Summary

The surname Mendoza originates from Spain and is of Basque origin. It is derived from the place name Mendoza, which means 'cold mountain' in Basque. The surname has a rich history in Spanish nobility and has spread to various parts of the world due to colonization and migration.
There are
242771
Mendozas in the USA
Mendoza is the
88th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Mendoza

AdrianMendoza

Adrian Mendoza is a Filipino artist known for his paintings and sculptures that often explore themes of identity, memory, and the human condition.

CespedesMendoza

Cespedes Mendoza was a Venezuelan politician and military figure who played a significant role in the country's struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule.

Fernandode

Fernando de Mendoza was a Spanish conquistador who participated in the colonization of South America, particularly the region of present-day Colombia and Ecuador.

GabrielaMistral

Gabriela Mistral, born Lucila Godoy Alcayaga, was a Chilean poet, educator, and diplomat who became the first Latin American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

IgnacioMendoza

Ignacio Mendoza was a Mexican general and military strategist who played a significant role in the Mexican War of Independence against Spanish colonial rule.

InigoLopez

Inigo Lopez de Mendoza, Marquis of Santillana, was a Spanish poet and humanist who played a key role in the development of 15th-century Castilian literature.

Juande

Juan de Mendoza y Luna, Marquis of Montesclaros, was a Spanish military officer and colonial administrator who served as the viceroy of New Spain from 1603 to 1607.

LuisaLlorente

Luisa Llorente Mendoza is a Spanish actress known for her performances in films such as 'The Devil's Backbone' and 'Pan's Labyrinth,' directed by Guillermo del Toro.

Pedrode

Pedro de Mendoza was a Spanish conquistador and the founder of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1536. He led an expedition to establish a permanent settlement in the region.

TeresaMendoza

Teresa Mendoza is a fictional character from the novel 'The Queen of the South' by Spanish author Arturo Perez-Reverte. She is a powerful drug cartel leader.

Mendoza Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Mendoza' is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the place name Mendoza in the province of Alava, Basque Country, Spain. The name Mendoza is associated with the noble House of Mendoza.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Mendoza' is most commonly found in Spain, particularly in the regions of Castile and León, Basque Country, and Navarre. It is also found in other Spanish-speaking countries, including Mexico and Argentina.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Mendoza' include 'de Mendoza' and 'Mendosa'.
Migration and ImmigrationThe surname 'Mendoza' has been carried by immigrants from Spain to various countries, particularly during the period of Spanish colonization. It has also been adopted by individuals of Spanish descent who migrated to other countries.