A Spanish and Portuguese surname, the Velez name comes from Velasco and the term ‘bela’ which means crow or raven. There is also the Latin term ‘vigilia’ which means a watchman. The spelling variations for Velez include Vazuez, Velez, Blasquez, Blas, Velazuez and Velasco. In England the main area where most with the Velez family name live is in the city of London. In Spain the original Velez families lived in the Cantabria and Andalusia regions. By the 17th and 18th centuries many had moved to the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Colombia. Within the United States most with the Velez surname reside in New Mexico, California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma. Famous: David Velez (music composer from Columbia), Eddie Velez (actor), Alvaro Uribe Velez (president of Columbia), Ada Velez (champion female boxer from Puerto Rico), Jose A. Velez Jr. (race horse jockey), Desiree Marie Velez (actress) and Fermin Velez (professional race car driver from Spain).