Show ContentsSantos History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Santos surname is derived from the Latin word "sanctus," which meant "blameless" or "holy," and is also the root of the English word "Saint." Thus the first bearers of this name were most likely strongly religious. It is also thought that this name was sometimes given to those born on All Saints' Day.

Early Origins of the Santos family

The surname Santos was first found in Andalucia, a vast region that once encompassed much of the Southern part of the Iberian peninsula.

Early History of the Santos family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Santos research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1155 and 1711 are included under the topic Early Santos History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Santos Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Santos, Santo, Espirito Santo, Santero and others.

Early Notables of the Santos family

Prominent members of the family include

  • Francisco Santos, seventeenth century Spanish writer, eighteenth century Spanish adventurer Felipe Santos Toro, as well as eighteenth century Spanish nobleman Cristóbal de Santos Argueta, made Count o...

Santos World Ranking

In the United States, the name Santos is the 347th most popular surname with an estimated 77,097 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Santos is ranked the 842nd most popular surname with an estimated 6,350 people with that name. 2 And in France, the name Santos is the 983rd popular surname with an estimated 5,348 people with that name. 3 South America ranks Santos as 76th with 61 people. 4


United States Santos migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Santos Settlers in United States in the 16th Century
  • Sebastián Santos, who arrived in America in 1517
  • Francisco Santos, who arrived in New Spain in 1534
  • Francisco Santos who settled in New Spain in 1534
  • Lorenzo Santos who immigrated to Cartagena in 1577
  • Antonio de Santos who arrived in Peru in 1594
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Santos Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Antonio Santos, who arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1778 with his wife, María del Pino
  • María de los Santos, who arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1778
  • Antonio Santos, who arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1778 with his wife María del Pino
  • Josefa de los Santos, who arrived in New Orleans in 1779
Santos Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Maria Santos, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1802 5
  • Antonio Santos, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1803 5
  • Miguel Ezequiel DeLos Santos, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1804 5
  • Sebastian Santos, who landed in America in 1817 5
  • Pedro Santos, who arrived in America in 1830 5
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Santos Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Manuel Santos, who was naturalized in Texas in 1908

Contemporary Notables of the name Santos (post 1700) +

  • Gilbert A. "Gil" Santos (1938-2018), American radio play-by-play announcer for the New England Patriots, inductee into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame
  • Steven E. Santos, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Rhode Island, 2012
  • Tom Y. Santos, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from California 11th District, 2000
  • Ruben M. Santos, American politician, Mayor of Waco, Texas, 1985-86
  • Robert Santos, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 2004
  • Rene Santos, American Republican politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly 86th District, 2013
  • Miriam Santos, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1996
  • Luiz F. da S. Santos (b. 1861), American politician, U.S. Consular Agent in Maranhao, 1891-98
  • Leonard L. Santos, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Louisiana State House of Representatives, 1950
  • Gustavo Santos, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 2008
  • ... (Another 31 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

USS Arizona
  • Mr. Filomeno Santos, American Officer's Cook Second Class from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 6


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  3. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  4. "List of most common surnames in South America." Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_common_surnames_in_South_America
  5. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  6. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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