Hernandez
/ˌhɜːr.nənˈdɛz/noun
A Spanish surname meaning “son of Hernando,” a medieval form of Ferdinand.
Did you know?Hernando developed from Ferdinand, a Germanic name built from elements associated with peace or protection and boldness, so the surname preserves an ancient warrior-name tradition.
Etymological Timeline
Early Medieval Period
Proto-Germanic
*friþunandą
“A reconstructed personal name combining elements associated with peace or protection and daring or boldness”
8th–10th Century
Old High German
Fridu-nant
“A Germanic personal name meaning approximately “peaceful protection” and “boldness””
Medieval Latin
Latin
Ferdinandus
“The Latinized form of the Germanic personal name”
12th–15th Century
Spanish
Fernando
“A Spanish form of Ferdinand”
Medieval Spanish
Spanish
Hernando
“A variant form of Fernando and the personal name from which Hernández was formed”
13th–15th Century
Spanish
Hernández
“A patronymic surname meaning “son of Hernando,” using the Spanish suffix -ez”
Modern English
English
Hernandez
“A widely used Spanish-derived surname, commonly written without the accent in English contexts”