List of Spaniards

Updated on Dec 08, 2024

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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.

Actors

Victoria Abril (born 1957)

Elena Anaya (born 1975)

Antonio Banderas (born 1960)

Javier Bardem (born 1969)

Pilar Bardem (born 1939)

Claudia Bassols (born 1979)

Ana Belén (born 1951)

Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey (born 1986)

Juan Diego Botto (born 1975)

Mario Casas (born 1986)

Mark Consuelos (born 1970)

Penélope Cruz (born 1974)

Gabino Diego (born 1966)

Angelines Fernández (1922–1994)

Fernando Fernán Gómez (1921–2007)

Juan Luis Galiardo (1940-2012)

Sancho Gracia (1936–2012)

Alfredo Landa (1933–2013)

Sergi López (born 1965)

Jordi Mollà (born 1968)

Sara Montiel (1928–2013)

Paul Naschy (1934–2009)

Fernando Rey (1917–1994)

Fernando Sancho (1916–1990)

María Valverde (born 1986)

Paz Vega (born 1976)

Maribel Verdú (born 1970)

Artists

David Aja, comics artist

Chumy Chúmez (1927–2003), cartoonist

Salvador Dalí (1904–1989), surrealist artist

Óscar Domínguez (1906–1957), surrealist artist

Pasqual Ferry, comics artist

Francisco de Goya (1746–1828), painter and engraver

El Greco (1541–1614), painter and sculptor

Juan Gris (1887–1927), cubist painter

Joan Miró (1893–1983), painter, sculptor and ceramist

Joaquín Sorolla (1863–1923), painter

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1618–1682), painter

Carlos Pacheco (born 1961), comics artist

Pablo Picasso (1881–1973), painter and sculptor, co-founder of cubism

Antoni Tàpies (1923–2012), abstract expressionist painter

Diego Velázquez (1599–1660), painter

Ignacio Zuloaga (1870–1945), painter

Francisco de Zurbarán (1598–1644), painter

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

Film directors

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)

Medieval ancestors

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)

Modern

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)

Contemporary

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

A–D

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)

E–H

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

I–L

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

M–P

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

Q–T

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

U–Z

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)

Military

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

Models

Esther Cañadas (born 1977)

Jon Kortajarena (born 1985)

Sheila Marquez (born 1985)

Judit Mascó (born 1969)

Marina Pérez (born 1984)

Inés Sastre (born 1973)

Classical

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

Opera singers

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

Singers

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

Religion

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

Athletics

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

Basketball

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

Boxing

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

Cycling

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)

Football (soccer)

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

Golf

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

Motor sports

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

Rugby union

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

Tennis

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

Wrestling

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

Others

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

References

List of Spaniards Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

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