Díaz

Díaz is a Spanish patronymic surname meaning "son of Diego." The given name Diego derives from Didacus, and the surname developed in medieval Castile as a way to identify individuals as the offspring of a man named Diego.

In terms of distribution, Díaz is one of the most common surnames in Spain and throughout the Spanish-speaking world. It is widespread in Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and is common among Filipino populations due to historical ties with Spain. In many contexts, the accent is retained; in others, especially English-language contexts or official documents, it may appear as Diaz without the accent.

Variations and related names: Other languages form similar patronyms with -ez suffixes, such as Diaz, Dias (Portuguese), and Diaz is also found among immigrant communities around the world. Toponymic and matronymic variants exist but are rare.

Notable bearers: The surname is carried by numerous politicians, athletes, artists, and scientists across the globe; its bearers reflect the broad geographic spread of Spanish-language surnames.