why do mexicans have two last names?

Question

some day i met some mexican with "sanchez sanchez" as last name, why twice?

Answer 1

Because legally you accquire your Father's "first" last name + your Mom's "First" Last name.

So if my Father is Ernesto Ortiz and my Mother is Elizabeth Gil... I'll be Ernesto Ortiz Gil :P

To twist more this thing i have two Compound last names... so my real last name is "Ortiz de Montellano Gil de Arana" ;D and my name its just Ernesto. Thats why i choose as nickname EOMGA.

In other words, the person you met was "Sanchez Sanchez" because his Father and Mother's "first" last name were "Sanchez"

NAME = + +

Answer 2

In my country, back in the old colonial days a person with a last name that repeats itself means that the mother got pregnant out of wedlock and a priest is the father. (i.e. Basilio Esteban Esteban.)

I'm not sure about the Mexicans though. But since my county and MExico has the same colonist (Spain) the reason could be the same.

but the first two answers could be right too. LOL.

Answer 3

here's a website that explains it in detail:
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_389b.html

the second-to-last name in most Spanish personal names is the father's name (apellido paterno), and the last name is the mother's maiden name (apellido materno). Thus Jose and Maria, whose father is Pedro Santiago Lopez and whose mother before she was married was Luisa Rodriguez Castillo, would be Jose Santiago Rodriguez and Maria Santiago Rodriguez.

Answer 4

Because one name honors the dad, the other honors the mom.

Answer 5

eomega is 100% correct that is true for most spainsh speaking countries as well I am Domincan my full name is Celia Reyes Parrilla

Answer 6

Because the momma is undecided who the father is.

Answer 7

two dads