Last Names

Surnames / M

Mejia

What is the origin of the last name Mejia?

Spanish originDescriptive (a nickname)Rank #300 in the US

Meaning and origin

The last name Mejia has its origin in Spain and is derived from the Spanish word "mejor," meaning "better." Often associated with Spanish Sephardic Jewish heritage, the surname was initially used as a nickname for someone who excelled or was considered the best at something. Over time, it extended beyond the Jewish population and became a common surname among the general Spanish population. With the Spanish influence, the name Mejia spread to Latin American countries during the colonial era through migration and exploration, making it a prevalent Hispanic surname in the present day.

The longer story

The last name Mejia originates from Spain and is primarily associated with the Spanish-speaking world.

Mejia is derived from the Spanish word "mejor," meaning "better" in English. The surname is believed to have originally been a nickname for someone who was considered to be the best or the better of a certain group.

The surname Mejia is most commonly found in countries such as Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Ecuador. It is also present in other Spanish-speaking countries and communities around the world.

Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.

Similar spellings

#300

Mejia was the 300th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 104,057 people, about 35 in every 100,000.

Who carries it

  • White (non-Hispanic)3.4%
  • Hispanic or Latino94.5%
  • Black (non-Hispanic)0.5%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander1.3%
  • Two or more races0.2%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native0.1%

Where it is found

Countries linked to Mejia.

Surnames like Mejia

Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.

Check the sources

For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.