Surname Molina

Molina Surname Origin

Research contributed by Ryan Molina/Alberto Molina

The long and noble heritage behind the name of Molina first began in medieval Spain. While the patronymic and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the name of the father and mother respectively, are the most common form of a hereditary surname in Spain, occupational surnames also emerged during the late Middle Ages. However, an occupational name did not become a hereditary surname until the office or type of employment became hereditary. The surname Molina was an occupational name for a person who owned, managed, or worked in a mill. The surname Molina is derived from the word molino, which means mill or miller.