Sánchez

Sánchez is a Spanish patronymic surname meaning "son of Sancho," formed with the suffix -ez, which denotes "son of" in Spanish naming tradition. The given name Sancho is medieval and of uncertain origin, but is commonly linked to Latin Sanctus ("holy") or to early Iberian forms. The surname thus indicates descent from an ancestor named Sancho.

It is widespread in Spain and throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Sánchez is among the most common surnames in many Latin American countries and is common among communities of Spanish descent in the United States. In Spanish, the diacritic on the e is retained; in many English-language contexts the name is written as Sanchez.

Variants and related forms include Sanchez (accentless), Sanches (Portuguese-influenced), and Sanz, among others derived from Sancho. The name has given rise to toponyms and institutions in various Spanish-speaking regions.

Notable bearers include Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister of Spain since 2018, and the Chilean footballer Alexis Sánchez. The surname appears across politics, sports, arts, and sciences, reflecting its broad geographic distribution.