A Spanish and Portuguese surname for the family name of Herrera is from the Spanish term of ‘Herrera’ which means a worker in iron such as a blacksmith. The surname was originally used in Castile and Leon regions of Spain. The Latin word ‘ferraria’ means iron-forge.

Spelling variations for Herrera include Herreros, Herrero, Herrezuel, Hierro, Ferrero, Herrerias and Herrerias.

Monmouthshire and Glamorgan counties of Wales have high percentages of Herrera families. Also in London and Lancashire the Herrera family name is popular.

Herrera surname in Hispanic nations such as Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico, Puerto Rico is fairly common.

In the United States the southwest states of New Mexico, Texas, California and Arizona have the highest percentage of Herrera families.

Famous: Vasco de Herrera (16th century Spanish governor of Honduras), Diego de Herrera (16th century Spanish explorer and founder of the city of Manila in the Philippines), Carlos (president of Guatemala), Ataliva Herrera (poet of Argentina), Carolina Herrera (fashion designer of Venezuela), Alfonso L. Herrera (Mexican scientist in plasmogeny) and Juan de Herrera (16th century designer and builder of El Escorial building for Spanish kings of Spain).