MENDOZA

Source: Basque

Root Word: “mendi” (mountain) + “otza” (cold)

Derived From: A toponymic surname derived from Mendoza, a village in the Spanish province of Álava.

Meaning: “Cold Mountain” or “Cold Mountain Pass.” This name describes a cold, rugged mountain landscape.

Popularity History: Mendoza is one of the most common surnames in Spain and is among the top ten most common surnames in Latin American countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, etc. Its popularity is closely tied to the Spanish colonial history, as many explorers, conquistadors, and settlers bore this surname, thus spreading it to the New World.