Last Names

Surnames / R

Renteria

What is the origin of the last name Renteria?

Spanish originPatronymic (from a parent or ancestor)Rank #1,256 in the US

Meaning and origin

The last name Renteria originates from Spain and holds its roots in the Spanish language. It is derived from the word "rentero," which refers to a person who collects rent. The suffix "-ia" indicates a location, suggesting that the name was used to identify individuals who were associated with a specific place or property.

The longer story

The last name Renteria is of Spanish origin. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a male ancestor's given name. The root of the name is "renta," which in Spanish means "income" or "revenue." The suffix "-eria" indicates "related to" or "pertaining to."

One possible interpretation of the surname is that it denotes a person who collected rents or managed revenue on behalf of someone else.

The prevalence of the surname Renteria can be traced back to the Basque region of Spain. The Basques are an indigenous ethnic group with a distinct language and culture, and their surnames often reflect their heritage. It is likely that the Renteria surname originated in this Basque region, and subsequently spread to other parts of Spain and eventually to other countries.

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.

#1,256

Renteria was the 1,256th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 27,976 people, about 9.1 in every 100,000.

Who carries it

  • White (non-Hispanic)4.1%
  • Hispanic or Latino95.0%
  • Black (non-Hispanic)0.3%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander0.2%
  • Two or more races0.2%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native0.3%

Where it is found

Countries linked to Renteria.

Surnames like Renteria

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.