Martínez (surname)


Martínez is a common surname in the Spanish language. Martínez is the most common surname in the Spanish regions of Navarre, La Rioja, Cuenca and Murcia. There are also variations such as San Martin and Martín.
It originated as a patronymic surname, meaning "son of Martín".
Among Mozarabs, the name was Arabized to "Mardanish" .
It is also used sometimes as a component word of a multi-word surname such as Martínez del Río. Martínez comes from the personal name "Martin", itself derived from the Latin Martinus, whose root is Mars, the name of the Roman god of fertility and war. The name Martin became popular throughout Christian Europe after it was borne by a famous 4th-century saint who was active in Roman Gaul, Martin of Tours.
Martínez is a widely spread surname due in large part to the global influence of the Spanish culture on territories and colonies in the Americas, Africa and Asia. Likewise, due to emigration throughout Europe, Martínez is relatively common in countries neighboring or near Spain, such as: Andorra, Portugal, France, Switzerland and Italy.
In the United States, according to the 1990 Census, "Martinez" ranked nineteenth among all surnames reported, accounting for 0.23% of the population. In France according to a 1990 census, "Martinez" ranked sixteenth among all surnames reported.
The Portuguese equivalent of Martínez is Martins meaning "son of Martin". The Italian equivalents are: Martinelli, Martinolli, Martini, Martino, DiMartini, DiMartino, and Martinisi. The Romanian equivalent is Martinescu.

Geographical distribution

As of 2014, 38.8% of all known bearers of the surname Martínez were residents of Mexico, 9.9% of Spain, 9.2% of the United States, 7.9% of Colombia, 4.5% of Venezuela, 4.4% of Argentina, 2.7% of Cuba, 2.7% of Honduras, 2.4% of Guatemala, 2.2% of El Salvador, 2.0% of the Dominican Republic, 1.9% of Paraguay, 1.7% of Nicaragua, 1.6% of the Philippines, 1.4% of Chile and 1.3% of Peru.
In Spain, the frequency of the surname was higher than national average in the following autonomous communities:
In El Salvador, the frequency of the surname was higher than national average in the following departments:

Arts (incl. journalism)

;Acting and comedy
;Crafts
;Design and fashion
;Journalism
;Literature
;Music
;Painting and sculpture

Business

  • Mariano Martinez (entrepreneur), Mexican American inventor, entrepreneur and restaurateur
  • Vicente Martinez Ybor, Spanish-American cigar industrialist in Tampa, Florida
  • Edward Martinez Sarasota (Realtor), Cuban American entrepreneur and Investor in Sarasota, Florida

Military

Politics and law

Sciences

Society

Sports

;A–M
;N–Z