Surname Molina - Meaning and Origin

Unearthing the Molina Lineage: A Journey from Spain to Scandinavia and Mesoamerica through iGENEA DNA Testing

Excavating my roots through my iGENEA DNA test results provided a riveting narrative behind the Molina surname. The analysis revealed a journey across continents and through history, demonstrating a sturdy Spanish foundation, unexpected Scandinavian links, and a Mesoamerican network of genetic relatives.

J. Molina

Molina: What does the surname Molina mean?

Molina is a Spanish surname that has significant historical roots in Spain. The term "Molina" itself comes from a Spanish word meaning "mill." During the medieval era, the last name was often used to denote individuals or families who owned, operated, or worked in mills. As such, it is an occupational surname, directly related to a person's job or trade. It's also worth noting that it is a topographical surname because it signifies a notable nearby feature, such as a mill, where the original bearer once lived or held land. Today, Molina is quite common in Spain, Latin America, and other regions of the world where Spanish influence persists.

Molina: Where does the name Molina come from?

The last name Molina is quite common worldwide. It is particularly common in Latin American countries, such as Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Ecuador, primarily due to the high Hispanic populations of those countries. In Spain, the name is also very popular, particularly in the regions of Castilla-La Mancha and Galicia.

The United States also has a large population of Molina families, particularly in California and Texas, where the majority of the Hispanic population is found. Additionally, the name is known in countries such as Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.

Molina is a patronymic surname which is derived from the Visigothic personal name “Molinus.” Its origin dates back to the 10th century. The name literally means "mill." The Molina family was once an influential noble family in the Kingdom of León, particularly after the 13th century.

Given its widespread popularity, Molina is likely to become even more geographically widespread as more Hispanic people emigrate to other countries, as well as to the United States. It is a popular and well-known surname in many parts of the world, and is likely to remain so for years to come.

Variations of the surname Molina

The surname Molina is a Spanish name, derived from the name of the place Molina, in the province of La Rioja, Spain. Variants or other spellings of the surname include: Moline, Mullen, Mullin, Mullins and Mollo.

Molina can also be a Basque name, stemming from a place that now bears the name of Molinaseca, in the Region of Castilla y León, Spain. Variants or other spellings of this name could be: Milhena, Molhena, Múgica, Muhika and Mone.

Additionally, the Kichwa language of the Amazonian region of South America has the surname Mollina. This is generally thought to have come from the combination of two Quechua words: "Mulli", meaning bear, and "Nina", meaning water. A few spellings of the same name could be: Molina, Mullina, Mollinas and Mollines.

In eastern Europe, the Moline surname has its origin from the Latin word "molas", meaning mill, which was often used by people who had a miller as an ancestor. Spellings of this surname could be: Moline, Moling, Molena, Molina and Molnar.

Lastly, in Portugal there is an old family that used to own lands in the eastern part of the country originally, and they adopted the surname Molina as a tribute to the Morón River. Variants or spellings of Nuestra Señora de Molina are: Our Lady of Molina, Nuestra Señora de Muina, Murynhah, and Maron.

Famous people with the name Molina

• Yadier Molina: Professional Baseball Player from Puerto Rico and the St. Louis Cardinals.
• Benjamin Molina: Former Professional Baseball Player from Venezuela
• Enrico Molina: Professional Footballer from Mexico who plays for UANL Tigres
• Diego Molina: Professional Footballer from Brazil who plays for Cuiabá EC
• José Luis Molina: Former Professional Footballer from Spain
• Alicia Molina: Famous Singer from Mexico
• Diego Molina: Professional Soccer Player from Venezuela
• Javier Molina: Professional Boxer from the United States
• Joaquín Molina: Former Professional Basketball Player from Spain
• Özgürcan Çağlayan aka Ozgur Molina: Turkish Experimental Hip Hop Artist

Other surnames

MolineMolineauxMolineusMolineux