What kind of last name is Espinueva?

Question

Espinueva is my last name. I am filipino, but I know it is not a filipino last name. It sounds Spanish, yet it could be a mix of two Spanish last names. My brother guessed that it can be Espinosa and Villanueva mixed, but I still have no idea. I just know that there are some Espinueva's in Philippines.

Answer 1

in cailfornia their's people with that last name

Answer 2

the route to find out about any last name is to FOLLOW THE PERSON.  The reality is that many names in any language can be a variation of the original, especially when you get back into the 1800s or when most persons were not literate.

I wanted to offer a tip for you, as to getting info AFTER your question is closed.. your email is NOT enabled on your profile, which can cut you off from further help.

Phillipine history very strongly involves Spanish settlement, so names are often going to have that root.  Not all names have any exact "meaning".. the origin could be as simple as what a clerk/ minister entered in the records in error.. and that spelling 'became' the basis.  If you use historical records concerning the person.. eventually you may run into either his parent with a different spelling, or a person who immigrated (PROBABLY from Spain).

Your prior question about Castilloy, for example.. know the Spanish name patterns were often using the fathers surname AND the mom's birth surname.

"Y'  in Spanish means "and".  If someone was named Castillo and Gonzales, the Spanish form would be Castillo y Gonzales.  I would be willing to wager that the y on the end is a result of a typographical error, starting with the 2 surname format.