GUTIERREZ

Source: Spanish (of Germanic origin)

Root Word: Germanic root: ‘wald’ (rule/power) + ‘heri’ (army)

Derived From: Patronymic surname meaning 'son of Gutierre'; Gutierre is derived from the Germanic name Walthari/Walter.

Meaning: Etymologically, 'Gutierre' derives from Germanic names such as Walthari or Walter, formed from the roots 'wald' (rule, power) and 'hari' or 'heri' (army), meaning 'ruler of the army' or 'powerful warrior.' The suffix '-ez' is a common patronymic suffix in Spanish, meaning 'son of.' Therefore, the core meaning of GUTIERREZ is 'son of Gutierre' or, by extension, 'son of a powerful warrior.'

Popularity History: Originated in the Iberian Peninsula in the Middle Ages, it is one of the most common surnames in Spain and Latin America, with a long history and wide distribution.