This is a list, in alphabetical order within categories, of notable people of Spanish heritage and descent born and raised in Spain, or of direct Spanish descent.
Note: The same person may appear under several headings.
Explorers and conquistadores
Lope de Aguirre (1511–1561), soldier and adventurer, explored the Amazon River looking for El Dorado
Diego de Almagro (1475–1538), explorer and conquistador, first European in Chile
Juan Bautista de Anza (1736–1788), soldier and explorer, founded San Francisco, California
Sebastián de Belalcázar (1480–1551), first explorer in search of El Dorado in 1535 and conqueror of Ecuador and southern Colombia (Presidencia of Quito), founded Quito 1534, Cali 1536, Pasto 1537, and Popayán 1537
Fray Tomás de Berlanga (1487–1551), bishop of Panama, discovered the Galápagos Islands
Juan Bermúdez (1450–1520), explorer and skier, discovered the Bermuda Islands
Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca (c. 1490–c. 1559), first European to explore the southwestern of what is now the United States (1528–1536), also explored South America (1540–1542)
Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo (1499–1543), explorer, discovered California
Gabriel de Castilla (1577–1620), sailor; in 1603 he became probably the first man ever to sight Antarctica
Cosme Damián Churruca (1761–1805), explorer, astronomer and naval officer, mapped the Strait of Magellan (1788–1789)
Francisco Vásquez de Coronado (c. 1510–1554), explored New Mexico and other parts of the southwest of what is now the United States (1540–1542)
Hernán Cortés (1485–1547), conquistador of the Aztec Empire, explorer of Baja California Peninsula
Juan Sebastián Elcano (1476–1526), explorer and sailor, first man to circumnavigate the world
Gaspar de Espinosa (1467/1477–1537), soldier and explorer, first European to reach the coast of Nicaragua, co-founder of Panama City
Salvador Fidalgo (1756–1803), naval officer and cartographer, explored Alaska in 1790, he named Cordova, Port Gravina, and Valdez
Miguel López de Legazpi (1502–1572), explored and conquered the Philippine Islands in 1565
Vasco Núñez de Balboa (1475–1519), first European to sight the Pacific Ocean, founder of Darién
Francisco de Orellana (c. 1500–c. 1549), first European to explore the Amazon River
Pedrarias Dávila (Pedro Arias de Ávila, 1440–1531), conquistador, founder of Panama and governor of Nicaragua
Francisco Pizarro (1471–1541), conqueror of the Inca Empire in Peru
Juan Ponce de León (1460–1521), first European to explore Florida (1513); founded the first European settlement in Puerto Rico (1508)
Gaspar de Portolà (c. 1717–aft. 1784), explorer, founder of Monterey,California
Bartolomé Ruiz (c. 1482–1532), first European to explore Ecuador; pilot for Pizarro and Colombus
Hernando de Soto (1500–1542), explorer and conquistador, first European to explore the plains of eastern North America; discovered the Mississippi river and the Ohio river
Pedro de Valdivia (c. 1500–1554), conquistador of Chile, founder of Santiago, Concepción, and Valdivia
Vicente Yáñez Pinzón (c. 1461?–1514), explorer and sailor, first European to reach the coast of Brazil
Amaro Rodríguez Felipe (c. 1678–1747), pirate
Pedro Almodóvar (born 1949)
Alejandro Amenábar (born 1972)
Montxo Armendáriz (born 1949)
Carlos Atanes (born 1971)
Juanma Bajo Ulloa (born 1967)
Jaume Balagueró (born 1968)
Juan Antonio Bardem (1922–2002)
Juan Antonio Bayona (1975)
Icíar Bollaín (born 1967)
José Luis Borau (1929–2012)
Luis Buñuel (1900–1983)
Mario Camus (born 1935)
Segundo de Chomón (1871–1929)
Isabel Coixet (born 1962)
Agustín Díaz Yanes (born 1950)
Víctor Erice (born 1940)
Fernando Fernán Gómez (1921–2007)
Jesús Franco (1930–2013)
José Luis Garci (born 1944)
Luis García Berlanga (1921–2010)
Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón (born 1942)
Álex de la Iglesia (born 1965)
Fernando León de Aranoa (born 1968)
Bigas Luna (1946–2013)
Julio Médem (born 1958)
Pilar Miró (1940–1997)
Paul Naschy (1934–2009)
Amando de Ossorio (1918–2001)
Ventura Pons (born 1945)
José Luis Sáenz de Heredia (1911–1992)
Carlos Saura (born 1932)
Santiago Segura (born 1965)
David Trueba (born 1969)
Fernando Trueba (born 1955)
Agustí Villaronga (born 1953)
Benito Zambrano (born 1964)
Lydia Zimmermann (born 1966)
Iván Zulueta (born 1943)
Pelayo of Asturias (690–737), founding king of the Kingdom of Asturias
Abd-ar-Rahman III (891–961), Emir (912–929) and Caliph of Córdoba (929–961)
Al-Mansur (c. 938–1002), de facto ruler of Muslim Al-Andalus in late 10th and early 11th centuries
Alfonso X of Castile (1221–1284)
Isabella of Castile, the Catholic (1451–1504), Queen of Castile and León (1474–1504, with Ferdinand)
Ferdinand II, the Catholic (1452–1516), King of Aragon (1479–1516), Castile and León (1474–1504, with Isabella), Sicily (1479–1516), Naples (1504–1516) and Valencia (1479–1516)
Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros (1436–1517), cardinal, statesman, and regent of Spain
Juana of Castile, frequently called "the Mad", queen of Castile and León; daughter of Isabella and Ferdinand
Charles V (1500–1558), Holy Roman Emperor (1530–1556 but did not formally abdicate until 1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506–1555), King of Spain (1516–1556), King of Naples and Sicily (1516–1554), Archduke of Austria (1519–1521), King of the Romans (or German King); often referred to as "Carlos V", but he ruled officially as "Carlos I", hence "Charles I of Spain"
Philip II (1526–1598), King of Spain (1556–1598)
Philip V (1683–1746), King of Spain (1700–1746)
Charles III (1716–1788), King of Spain (1759–1788)
Ferdinand VII (1784–1833), King of Spain (1813–1833)
Leopoldo O'Donnell, Duke of Tetuan (1809–1867), general and Prime Minister (1856; 1858–1863; 1864–1866)
Juan Prim (1814–1870), general, liberal leader, revolutionary and statesman
Antonio Cánovas del Castillo (1828–1897), Prime Minister
20th and 21st centuries:
Manuel Azaña (1880–1940), Premier (twice) and President during the Second Spanish Republic
José María Aznar (born 1953), Prime Minister (1996–2004)
Josep Borrell (born 1947), President of the European Parliament (2004–2007)
Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo (1926–2008), Prime Minister (1981–1982)
Santiago Carrillo (1915–2012), the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE) from 1960 to 1982
Buenaventura Durruti (1896–1936), anarchist leader
Francisco Franco (1892–1975), Army general and dictator, ruled Spain for 36 years as "Caudillo" (1939–1975)
María Teresa Fernández de la Vega (born 1949), Spanish Socialist Workers' Party politician and the first female Vice President
Felipe González (born 1942), Prime Minister (1982–1996)
Dolores Ibárruri (1895–1989), known as "La Pasionaria", leader of the Spanish Civil War and communist politician
Juan Carlos I (born 1938), King of Spain (1975–2014)
José Antonio Primo de Rivera (1903–1936)
Mariano Rajoy (born 1955), Prime Minister (2011–present)
Rodrigo Rato (born 1949), Managing Director of the IMF since 2004
Adolfo Suárez (1932–2014), Prime Minister (1976–1981)
Javier Solana (born 1942), Secretary General of NATO (1995–1999) and High Representative (since 1999) of the CFSP of the Council of the European Union
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero (born 1960), Prime Minister (2004–2011)
Felipe VI (born 1968), King of Spain since 2014
Pedro Antonio de Alarcón (1833–1891), novelist
Rafael Alberti (1902–1999), poet, Cervantes Prize laureate (1983)
Baltasar del Alcázar (1530–1606), poet
Ignacio Aldecoa (1925-1969)
Mateo Alemán (1547–c. 1609), novelist
Vicente Aleixandre (1888–1984), poet, Nobel Prize laureate (1977)
Dámaso Alonso, poet, Cervantes Prize laureate (1978)
Francisco Ayala (born 1906), novelist, Cervantes Prize laureate (1991)
Azorín (José Martínez Ruiz) (1863–1967), journalist, poet, novelist and essayist
Ricardo Baeza Durán (1890-1956)
Elia Barceló (born 1957)
Pío Baroja (1872–1956), novelist
Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836–1870), romantic poet and tale writer
Jacinto Benavente (1866–1954), dramatist, Nobel Prize laureate (1922)
Vicente Blasco Ibáñez (1867–1928), novelist, wrote The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1916)
Antonio Buero Vallejo (1916–2000), playwright
Pedro Calderón de la Barca (1600–1681), playwright and poet
Luis Carandell Robusté (1929–2002), journalist and writer
Alejandro Casona (1903–1965)
Abraham Castanho, (mid 17th century), poet
José Manuel Castañón (1920–2001), novelist and essayist
Rosalía de Castro (1837–1885), poet
Camilo José Cela (1916–2002), novelist, Nobel Prize laureate (1989)
Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616), novelist, poet and playwright, author of Don Quixote (1605 and 1615)
Clarín (Leopoldo Alas) (1852–1901), novelist
Javier Cosnava (born 1971), novelist
Miguel Delibes (born 1920), novelist, Cervantes Prize laureate (1993)
Demófilo (848–1893)
Agustín Díaz Pacheco (born 1953), journalist and novelist
Gerardo Diego (1896–1987), poet, Cervantes Prize laureate (1979)
Rafael Dieste (1899-1981)
María Dueñas (born 1964)
José Echegaray (1832–1916), dramatist, Nobel Prize laureate (1904)
Antonio Escohotado Espinosa (born 1941)
Vicente Espinel (1550–1624), poet and novelist
José de Espronceda (1808–1842), romantic poet
Leandro Fernández de Moratín (1760–1828), dramatist and neoclassical poet
José María Gabriel y Galán (1870–1905), poet
Antonio Gala (born 1936), poet, dramatist and novelist
Rafael Gambra Ciudad (1920-2004), philosopher and author
Juan García Hortelano (1928-1992)
Federico García Lorca (1898–1936), poet and dramatist
Ramón Gómez de la Serna (1888–1963), writer, dramatist and avant-garde agitator
Luis de Góngora (1561–1627), lyric poet
Juan Goyanarte (1900-1955), editor and writer
Baltasar Gracián (1601–1658), baroque prose writer and philosopher
Jorge Guillén (1893–1984), poet, Cervantes Prize laureate (1976)
Miguel Hernández (1910–1942), poet
Juan Ramón Jiménez (1881–1958), poet, Nobel Prize laureate (1956)
John of the Cross (1542–1591), mystic poet
Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos (1744–1811), main figure of the Spanish Age of Enlightenment, philosopher, statesman, poet and essayist
Jon Juaristi (born 1951), poet and essayist
Mariano José de Larra (1809–1837), literary journalist
Fray Luis de León (1527–1591), poet of the Spanish Golden Age
Torcuato Luca de Tena (1923–1999), novelist, journalist and lawyer
Antonio Machado (1875–1939), poet
Salvador de Madariaga (1886–1978), essayist
César Mallorquí (born 1953)
José Mallorquí Figuerola (1913–1972)
Jorge Manrique (1440–1479), poet
Javier Marías (born 1951), novelist and translator
Juan Marsé (born 1933), novelist
Francisco Martínez Motiño
Carmen Martín Gaite (1925–2000)
Joanot Martorell (1413–1468), author of the first novel, Tirant lo Blanc (1490)
Eduardo Mendoza (born 1943), writer
Juan González Mesa (born 1975)
Tirso de Molina (1571–1648), playwright
Agustín Moreto y Cavana (1618–1661), dramatist and playwright
José Ortega y Gasset (1883–1955), essayist
Emilia Pardo Bazán (1851–1921), novelist
Benito Pérez Galdós (1843–1920), novelist
Arturo Pérez-Reverte (born 1951), best-selling novelist and journalist
Francisco Pi y Arsuaga (1865–1912)
Francesc Pi i Margall (1824–1901)
Miguel de Portilla y Esquivel (1660–1732), writer
Santiago Posteguillo
Francisco de Quevedo (1580–1645), novelist, essayist and poet, master of Conceptism
Juan Antonio Ramírez Domínguez (1948–2009), essayist
Pepe Rodríguez (born 1953)
Fernando de Rojas (1465–1541), novelist, author of La Celestina (1499)
Carlos Rojas Vila (born 1928)
Francisco de Rojas Zorrilla (1607–1660), dramatist
Luis Romero (1916–2009)
Juan Ruiz de Alarcón (c. 1581–1639), dramatist
Víctor Ruiz Iriarte (1912–1982), dramatist
Carlos Ruiz Zafón (born 1964), best-selling novelist
Pedro Salinas (1891–1951), poet
Félix María Samaniego (1745–1801)
Agustín Sánchez Vidal (born 1948), novelist
Fernando Sánchez Dragó (born 1936)
Ramón J. Sender (1901–1982), novelist and journalist
Dolores Soler-Espiauba (born 1935), novelist
Enrique Tierno Galván (1918–1986)
Gonzalo Torrente Ballester (1910–1999), novelist
Fernando Trujillo Sanz
Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936), existentialist author and essayist
Ramón María del Valle-Inclán (1866–1936), dramatist, novelist and member of the Generation of '98
Juan Antonio Vallejo-Nágera Botas (1926–1990)
Alberto Vázquez-Figueroa (born 1936), novelist
Alonso Vázquez (155?–1615)
Manuel Vázquez Montalbán (1939–2003)
Garcilaso de la Vega (1501–1536), Renaissance poet
"El Inca" Garcilaso de la Vega (1539–1616), first mestizo author in Spanish language
Félix Lope de Vega (1562–1635), poet and playwright
María de Zayas y Sotomayor (1590–1660), novelist
José Zorrilla y Moral (1817–1893), poet and dramatist, author of Don Juan Tenorio (1844)
3rd Duke of Alba (Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 1507–1582), general and governor of the Spanish Netherlands (1567–1573)
Don Juan de Austria (1547–1578), general and admiral; defeated Müezzinzade Ali Pasha in the Battle of Lepanto (1571)
Blas de Lezo (1687–1741), admiral; leading 6 warships and 3.700 men, defeated a British invasion force of 28.000 troops and 186 warships, during the Siege of Cartagena in 1741
Álvaro de Bazán, 1st Marquis of Santa Cruz (1526–1588), admiral
Francisco Javier Castaños, 1st Duke of Bailén (1758–1852), general; he defeated Dupont in the Battle of Bailén (1808)
El Cid (Rodrigo 'Ruy' Díaz de Vivar, c. 1045–1099), knight and hero
Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, "El Gran Capitán" (1453–1515), general and strategist of Early modern warfare
Francisco Franco (1892–1975), general; from 1939 dictator and formal Head of State of Spain
Bernardo de Gálvez (1746–1786), Field Marshal and governor of Louisiana, Spanish hero of the American Revolution
Juan Martín Díez, "El Empecinado" (1775–1825), head of guerrilla bands promoted to Brigadier-General of cavalry during the Peninsular War
Casto Méndez Núñez (1830–1880), admiral
Pedro Navarro, Count of Oliveto (c. 1460–1528), prominent general
Álvaro de Navia Osorio y Vigil, Marqués de Santa Cruz de Marcenado, (1684–1732), general, author of the treatise Reflexiones Militares (Military Reflections)
Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma (1545–1592), Spanish general and military governor of the Spanish Netherlands
Ambrosio Spinola, marqués de los Balbases (1569–1630), general
Fernando Villaamil (1845–1898), naval officer, designer of the first destroyer
Esther Cañadas (born 1977)
Jon Kortajarena (born 1985)
Sheila Marquez (born 1985)
Judit Mascó (born 1969)
Marina Pérez (born 1984)
Inés Sastre (born 1973)
Isaac Albéniz (1860–1909), composer
Salvador Bacarisse (1898–1963), composer
Pablo Casals (1876–1973), cello player and conductor
Manuel de Falla (1876–1946), composer
Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (born 1933), conductor
Enrique Granados (1867–1916), composer
Enrique Jordá (1911–1996), conductor, music director of the San Francisco Symphony (1954–1963)
Francisco Lara (born 1968), composer and conductor
Alicia de Larrocha (1923–2009), pianist
Vicente Martín y Soler (1754–1806), composer
Luis de Pablo (born 1930), composer
Blas de Laserna, composer
Joaquín Rodrigo (1901–1999), composer and pianist, known for his Concierto de Aranjuez
Gaspar Sanz (1640–1710), composer, dominate figure of Spanish baroque music
Jordi Savall (born 1941), early and baroque music conductor and viol player
Andrés Segovia (1893–1987), classical guitarist
Antonio Soler (1729–1783), composer, known for his harpsichord sonatas
Francisco Tárrega (1852–1909), composer and classical guitarist
Joaquín Turina (1882–1949), composer
Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548–1611), the most famous composer of the 16th century (late Renaissance) in Spain
Paco de Lucía (1947–2014), flamenco guitarist and composer; regarded as one of the finest guitarists in the world and the greatest living guitarist of the flamenco genre
Victoria de los Ángeles (1923–2005), soprano
Teresa Berganza (born 1935), mezzo-soprano
Montserrat Caballé (born 1933), soprano
Nancy Fabiola Herrera (born 19??), mezzo-soprano
José Carreras (born 1946), one of The Three Tenors
Antonio Cortis (1891–1952), tenor
Plácido Domingo (born 1941), one of The Three Tenors
Manuel del Pópulo Vicente García (1775–1832), tenor
María Gay (1879–1943), mezzo-soprano
Alfredo Kraus (1927–1999), tenor
Hipólito Lázaro (1887–1974), tenor
Carlos Marín (1968), baritone, member of operatic quartet Il Divo
María José Montiel', mezzo-soprano
Adelina Patti (1843–1919), coloratura soprano
Conchita Supervía (1895–1936), mezzo-soprano
Francisco Viñas (1863–1933), tenor
Alaska (born 1963), pop-rock singer
Pablo Alboran (born 1989), singer
Eva Amaral (born 1972), pop and folk rock singer
Ana Belén (born 1951), singer and actress
David Bisbal (born 1979), Almeria singer-songwriter
Miguel Bosé (born 1956), pop singer
Nino Bravo (1944–1973), singer
Camarón de la Isla (1950–1992), flamenco singer, real name José Monje Cruz
Luz Casal (born 1958), pop singer
Chiquetete real name Antonio José Cortés, (born 1948), singer
Rocío Dúrcal (1944–2006), singer
Manolo García (born 1955), singer-songwriter
Enrique Iglesias (born 1975), singer
Julio Iglesias (born 1943), pop singer
Rocío Jurado (1946–2006), singer
Lola Flores (1923–1995), singer and flamenco dancer
Lolita Flores (born 1958), singer and actress
Víctor Manuel (born 1947), singer
Amaia Montero (born 1976) pop singer
Carlos Núñez (born 1971), bagpipes and Galician (Celtic) music performer
Paloma San Basilio, singer
Jordi Savall (born 1941), film music composer
José Luis Perales (born 1945), singer
Camilo Sesto (born 1946), singer
Isabel Pantoja (born 1956), singer
Niña Pastori, (born María Rosa García García in 1978), flamenco singer
José Luis Perales (born 1945), singer
Raphael (born 1943), pop singer
Joaquín Sabina (born 1949), singer-songwriter
Alejandro Sanz (born 1968), pop singer
Joan Manuel Serrat (born 1943), Catalan singer-songwriter
Ana Torroja (born 1959), pop rock singer
Enrique Urquijo (1960–1999), founder of the band Los Secretos with his brother Álvaro, lead voice and composer
Philosophers and humanists
Alfonso X of Castile (1221–1284), "El Sabio" ("The Wise")
Francisco de Enzinas (1518–1552), humanist and translator of the New Testament
Baltasar Gracián (1601–1658), author of El Criticón, influenced European philosophers such as Schopenhauer
Bartolomé de Las Casas (1484–1566), humanist, advocate of the rights of Native Americans
Salvador de Madariaga (1886–1978), humanist, co-founder of the College of Europe (1949)
Gregorio Marañón (1887–1960), humanist and medical scientist, important intellectual of the 20th century in Spain
Marcelino Menéndez Pelayo (1856–1912), philologist, historian and erudite
Julián Marías (1914–2005), philosopher; wrote the History of Philosophy
Ramón Menéndez Pidal (1869–1968), philologist, historian and erudite member of Generation of '98
Antonio de Nebrija (1441–1522), scholar, published the first grammar of the Spanish language (Gramática Castellana, 1492), which was the first grammar produced of any Romance language
José Ortega y Gasset (1883–1955), philosopher, social and political thinker, author of The Revolt of the Masses (1930)
Bernardino de Sahagún (1499–1590), Franciscan missionary, researched Nahua culture and Nahuatl language and compiled an unparalleled work in Spanish and Náhuatl
George Santayana (1863–1952), philosopher, taught at Harvard, author of The Sense of Beauty (1896) and The Life of Reason (1905–6)
Fernando Savater (born 1947), philosopher and essayist, known for his writings on ethics
Francisco Suárez (1548–1617), one of the most influential scholastics after Thomas Aquinas
Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936), existentialist writer and literary theoretician
Juan Luis Vives (1492–1540), prominent figure of Renaissance humanism, taught at Leuven and Oxford (while tutor to Mary Tudor)
Xavier Zubiri (1889–1983), philosopher, critic of classical metaphysics
Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros (1436–1517), religious reformer, bishop, cardinal and statesman
St Dominic of Guzmán (1170–1221), founder of the Order of Preachers
St Isidore of Seville (c. 560-636), bishop, humanist and doctor of the Church
St Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556), founder of the Society of Jesus
St John of Avila (1500–1569), priest, preacher, theologian and mystic
St John of the Cross (1542–1591), mystic and monastic reformer, doctor of the Church
Saints Nunilo and Alodia (died c. 842/51), child martyrs
Vicente Enrique y Tarancón (1907–1994), bishop, cardinal and president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference
St Teresa of Avila (1515–1582), mystic and monastic reformer, doctor of the Church
Tomás de Torquemada (1420–1498), Grand Inquisitor
St Joaquina Vedruna (1783–1854), founder of the Carmelite Sisters of the Charity
St Vincent Martyr (died c. 304), deacon martyr
St Francis Xavier (1506–1552), missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus
Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur (1626–1667), missionary in Guatemala
José de Anchieta (1534–1597), missionary in Brazil; founder of city Sao Paulo and co-founder of city Rio de Janeiro
Science and technology
José de Acosta (1540–1600), one of the first naturalists and anthropologists of the Americas
Susana Agustí (graduated 1982), biological oceanographer, educator
José María Algué (1856–1930), meteorologist, inventor of the barocyclometer, the nephoscope, and the microseismograph
Rafael Alvarado Ballester (1924–2001)
Jerónimo de Ayanz y Beaumont (1553–1613), registered design for steam-powered water pump for use in mines (1606)
Ignacio Barraquer (1884–1965), leading ophthalmologist, pioneer of cataract surgery
José Ignacio Barraquer (1916–1998), leading ophthalmologist, father of modern refractive surgery; invented the microkeratome and the cryolathe, developed the surgical procedures of keratomileusis and keratophakia
Ángel Cabrera (1879–1960), naturalist, investigated South American fauna
Nicolás Cabrera (1913–1989), physicist, did important work on the theories of crystal growth and the oxidisation of metals
Santiago Calatrava (born 1951), architect, sculptor and structural engineer
Juan de la Cierva (1895–1936), aeronautical engineer, pioneer of rotary flight, inventor of the autogyro
Juan Ignacio Cirac Sasturain (born 1965), one of the pioneers of the field of quantum computing and quantum information theory
Josep Comas i Solà (1868–1937), astronomer, discovered the periodic comet 32P/Comas Solá and 11 asteroids, and in 1907 observed limb darkening of Saturn's moon Titan (the first evidence that the body had an atmosphere)
Pedro Duque (born 1963), astronaut and veteran of two space missions
Fausto de Elhúyar (1755–1833), chemist, joint discoverer of tungsten with his brother Juan José de Elhúyar in 1783
Carlos Fernández Casado (1905–1988), civil engineer, designer and builder of bridges and viaducts
Jaime Ferrán (1852–1929), doctor and researcher, discovered several vaccines
Bernardo Hernández (born 1970), entrepreneur, leading figure in technology
Francisco Hernández (1514–1587), botanicist, carried out important research about the Mexican flora
Manuel Jalón Corominas (1925–2011), inventor of the mop (1956) and a worldwide used "two-piece" disposable syringe (1978)
Carlos Jiménez Díaz (1898–1967), doctor and researcher, leading figure in pathology
Gregorio Marañón (1887–1960), doctor and researcher, leading figure in endocrinology
Narcís Monturiol (1818–1885), physicist and inventor, pioneer of underwater navigation and first machine powered submarine
José Celestino Bruno Mutis (1732–1808), botanicist, doctor, philosopher and mathematician, carried out relevant research about the American flora, founded one of the first astronomic observatories in America (1762)
Severo Ochoa (1905–1993), doctor and biochemist, achieved the synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA), Nobel prize laureate (1959)
Mateu Orfila (1787–1853), doctor and chemist, father of modern toxicology, leading figure in forensic toxicology
Joan Oró (1923–2004), biochemist, carried out important research about the origin of life, he worked with NASA on the Viking missions
Julio Palacios Martínez (1891–1970), physicist and mathematician
Isaac Peral (1851–1895), engineer and sailor, designer of the first fully operative military submarine
Santiago Ramón y Cajal (1852–1934), father of Neuroscience, Nobel prize laureate (1906)
Julio Rey Pastor (1888–1962), mathematician, leading figure in geometry
Wifredo Ricart (1897–1974), engineer, designer and executive manager in the automotive industry
Andrés Manuel del Río (1764–1849), geologist and chemist, discovered vanadium (as vanadinite) in 1801
Pío del Río Hortega (1882–1945), neuroscientist, discoverer of the microglia or Hortega cell
Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente (1928–1980), naturalist, leading figure in ornithology, ethology, ecology and science divulgation
Enrique Rojas Montes (born 1949)
Margarita Salas (born 1938), biochemist, molecular geneticist and researcher
Miguel Servet (1511–1553), scientist, surgeon and humanist; first European to describe pulmonary circulation
Esteban Terradas i Illa (1883–1950), mathematician, physicist and engineer
Leonardo Torres Quevedo (1852–1936), engineer and mathematician, pioneer of automated calculation machines, inventor of the automatic chess, pioneer of remote control, designer of the funicular over the Niagara Falls
Eduardo Torroja (1899–1961), civil engineer, structural architect, world-famous specialist in concrete structures
Josep Trueta (1897–1977), doctor, his new method for treatment of open wounds and fractures helped save many lives during World War II
Antonio de Ulloa (1716–1795), scientist, soldier and author; joint discoverer of element platinum with Jorge Juan y Santacilia (1713–1773)
Arnold of Villanova (c. 1235–1311), alchemist and physician, he discovered carbon monoxide and pure alcohol
Martín de Azpilicueta (1492–1586), economist, member of the School of Salamanca, precursor of the quantitative theory of money
Manuel Castells (born 1942), sociologist, author of trilogy The Information Age
Manuel Fernández López (1947-2014)
Salvador Giner (born 1934), sociologist, he had researched on social theory, sociology of culture and modern industrial society
Jesús Huerta de Soto (born 1956), major Austrian School economist
Juan José Linz (1926–2013), Sterling Professor of Political and Social Science at Yale; Prince of Asturias Award (1987) and Johan Skytte Prize (1996) laureate
Claudio Sánchez-Albornoz (1893–1984), historian, prominent specialist in medieval Spanish history
Joseph de la Vega (1650–1692), businessman, wrote Confusion of Confusions (1688), first book on stock markets
Francisco de Vitoria (c. 1480/86–1546), member of the School of Salamanca, precursor of international law theory
Fermín Cacho Ruiz (born 1969), 1500 metres gold (1992 Olympics) and silver (1996 Olympics) medalist
Francisco Javier Gómez Noya (born 1983), triathlon silver (London 2012) medalist; four times ITU Triathlon world champion
Antonio Díaz-Miguel (1933–2000), coach, enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997
Pau Gasol (born 1980), FC Barcelona and Los Angeles Lakers player, 2001-02 NBA Rookie of the Year Award winner; 2006 FIBA W.C. MVP
Fernando Martín (1962–1989), Estudiantes, Real Madrid and Portland Trail Blazers player
Juan Carlos Navarro (born 1980), FC Barcelona and Memphis Grizzlies player
Pedro Carrasco (1943–2001), 1967 European Lightweight Champion; 1971 WBC's World Lightweight Champion
Javier Castillejo (born 1968), two-time WBC World Jr. Middleweight Champion and one-time WBA Middleweight champion
Federico Martín Bahamontes (born 1928), 1959 Tour de France winner
Juan José Cobo (born 1981), 2011 Vuelta a España winner
Alberto Contador (born 1982), three-time Tour de France (2007,2009,2010), 2008 Giro d'Italia, 2008 Vuelta a España winner
Pedro Delgado (born 1960), 1988 Tour de France winner
Óscar Freire (born 1976), three-time World Cycling Champion (1999, 2001, 2004)
José Manuel Fuente (1945–1996), twice Vuelta a España winner (1972, 1974), second in Giro d'Italia (1972), third in Tour de France (1973)
Roberto Heras (born 1974), three-time Vuelta a España winner (2000, 2003, 2004)
Miguel Indurain (born 1964), gold medalist (1996 Olympics), 1995 World Time-Trial Champion, World Hour recordman (1994), five consecutive times Tour de France winner (1991–1995), twice Giro d'Italia winner (1992, 1993)
Joan Llaneras (born 1969), gold medalist (2000 Olympics), silver medalist (2004 Olympics), seven-times World Points race or Madison Track Cycling Champion (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007)
Luis Ocaña (1945–1994), 1973 Tour de France winner
Abraham Olano (born 1970), 1995 World Cycling Champion and 1998 World Time-Trial Champion
Óscar Pereiro (born 1977), 2006 Tour de France winner
Samuel Sánchez (born 1978), Beijing 2008 Olympic Road Race Gold Medal
Carlos Sastre (born 1975), 2008 Tour de France winner
Joane Somarriba (born 1972), three-time Grande Boucle winner (2000, 2001, 2003)
Guillermo Timoner (born 1926), six-time World Motor paced Track Cycling Champion (1955, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1965)
Iker Casillas (born 1981), goalkeeper and Real Madrid; captain of Spain's team that won UEFA Euro 2008, the 2010 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2012
Francisco Gento (born 1933), Real Madrid player; winner of six UEFA Champions League
Raúl González (born 1977), first player to reach 50 goals in UEFA Champions League
Xavi Hernández (born 1980), midfielder and FC Barcelona player; UEFA Euro 2008 MVP
Andrés Iniesta (born 1984), midfielder and FC Barcelona player; scored the winning goal at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final; UEFA Euro 2012 MVP
Fernando Torres (born 1984), striker and Chelsea player; scored the winning goal at the Euro 2008 Final; winner of Golden Boot at Euro 2012
David Villa (born 1981), striker and FC Barcelona player; Spain's all-time top goalscorer
Andoni Zubizarreta (born 1961), Spanish international
Seve Ballesteros (1957–2011), winner of five major championships
Sergio García (born 1980), winner of six PGA Tour and six European Tour titles
Miguel Ángel Jiménez (born 1964), winner of 13 European Tour titles winner
José María Olazábal (born 1966), winner of two major championships
Fernando Alonso (born 1981), 2005 and 2006 Formula One World Champion
Jaime Alguersuari (born 1990), 2008 British Formula Three champion
Álvaro Bautista (born 1984), motorcycle racing raider, 125cc champion of the World in 2006
Carlos Checa (born 1972), GP motorcycle racing rider and Superbike World Champion in 2011
Marc Coma (born 1976), won the Dakar Rally in 2006
Àlex Crivillé (born 1970), 500cc GP motorcycle racing World Champion in 1999
Marc Gené (born 1974), Formula One driver
Jorge Lorenzo (born 1987), 2006 and 2007 GP motorcycle racing 250cc World Champion, 2010 MotoGP World Champion
Jorge Martínez Aspar (born 1962), GP motorcycle racing rider, four-time World Champion
Pedro Martínez de la Rosa (born 1971), Formula One driver
Ángel Nieto (born 1947), GP motorcycle racing rider, 12+1 times World Champion
Daniel Pedrosa (born 1985), youngest GP motorcycle racing World Champion of 125cc and 250cc
Carlos Sainz (born 1962), 1990 and 1992 World Rally Champion and 2010 Dakar Rally winner
Carlos Sainz, Jr. (born 1994), Formula One driver
Oriol Ripol, professional rugby union player for Worcester Warriors; considered the greatest Spaniard to ever play the game
Cédric Garcia, professional rugby player for Aviron Bayonnais
Galo Blanco (born 1976), professional tennis player
Sergi Bruguera (born 1971), 1993 and 1994 French Open Men's Singles Champion
Àlex Corretja (born 1974), 1998 ATP Tour World Champion
Albert Costa (born 1975), 2002 French Open Men's Singles Champion
Juan Carlos Ferrero (born 1980), 2003 French Open Men's Singles Champion
Andrés Gimeno (born 1937), 1972 French Open Men's Singles Champion
Conchita Martínez (born 1972), 1994 Wimbledon Women's Singles Champion
Carlos Moyá (born 1976), 1998 French Open Men's Singles Champion
Rafael Nadal (born 1986), former World Number 1, 2005 French Open, 2006 French Open, 2007 French Open, 2008 French Open, 2010 French Open, 2011 French Open, 2012 French Open 2013 French Open, 2014 French Open, 2008 Wimbledon, 2010 Wimbledon, 2009 Australian Open, 2010 US Open, 2013 US Open Men's Singles Champion and 2008 Olympics gold medallist
Manuel Orantes (born 1949), 1975 U.S. Open Men's Singles Champion
Virginia Ruano Pascual (born 1973), eight Grand Slam Doubles titles winner
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (born 1971), ten Grand Slam titles winner (four singles, six doubles)
Emilio Sánchez Vicario (born 1965), three Grand Slam Doubles titles winner
Javier Sánchez Vicario professional tennis player, brother of Aranxta
Manuel Santana (born 1938), 5 Grand Slam titles winner (four singles, one doubles)
Fernando Verdasco Carmona (born 1983), professional tennis player
Kane (born 1967), WWF Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, ECW Championship, WCW World Tag Team Championship, WWF Hardcore Championship, WWF/E Intercontinental Championship, WWF/E World Tag Team Championship
José Andrés (born 1969), chef
Ferran Adrià (born 1962), chef
Joaquín Cortés (born 1969), dancer
Juan March Ordinas (1880–1962), politician and businessman
Federica Montseny (1905–1994), anarchist, politician and writer
Amancio Ortega Gaona (born 1936), entrepreneur
Juan Pujol, alias Garbo (1912–1988), double agent who played a key role in the success of D-Day towards the end of World War II
Tamara Rojo (born 1974), prima ballerina of the London's Royal Ballet (since 2000); Prince of Asturias Award of Arts laureate (2005)
Diego Salcedo (1575–1644), first Spaniard killed by Puerto Rican Taínos
List of Spaniards Wikipedia (Text) CC BY-SA
