GONZALES

Source: Spanish

Root Word: Gonzalo

Derived From: Gonzalo (by adding the Germanic suffix "-es" meaning "son of" or the Latin suffix "-is")

Meaning: The name Gonzalo itself is of Old Germanic origin, possibly composed of "gund" (meaning "war," "battle") and "salv" (meaning "safety," "wisdom"), and could therefore mean "war-ready," "ready for battle," or "safe/wise in battle."

Popularity History: Gonzales is one of the most common surnames in the Spanish-speaking world, particularly in Spain, Mexico, the Philippines, and the United States (where it is the predominant surname among Hispanic populations). Its history can be traced back to the Iberian Peninsula in the Middle Ages, and it spread to the Americas and Asia with the Spanish colonial expansion.