Polanco is a Spanish surname originating from the municipality of Polanco, Cantabria in Spain. Notable people with the surname include:
Jesús Polanco (1929–2007), Spanish businessman and founder of El Pais and Grupo PRISA. Ranked in Forbes' richest list 2006Juan Hidalgo de Polanco (1614-1685), Spanish composer, father of the Spanish Opera and of the ZarzuelaJuan Alfonso de Polanco (1517-1576)- Spanish Jesuit Priest and secretary to Ignatius of LoyolaPolanco family, noble family from Santillana del Mar, CantabriaPolanco (painters), two brothers active as painters in 17th century in Valencia, SpainAlfonso Polanco, mayor of Palencia,SpainNicolás Manrique de Lara y Polanco, noble of the Marquesado de LaraEduardo Saenz de Buruaga y Polanco, Spanish military generalTomas Polanco Alcantara, Venezuelan writer and historianAntonio Botín Polanco, Spanish writer from Santander, CantabriaLuis Polanco, Spanish governor of ToletoFrancisco Polanco, Spanish baroque painter of 17th centuryCampuzano-Polanco, elite family from the colony of Santo DomingoGaspar Polanco Borbón, Dominican military and provisional presidentRaymundo Polanco Alegría, Dominican Air Force military and businessmanDalilah Polanco, Mexican actressAmelia Vega Polanco, Miss Universe 2003Santiago Polanco-Abreu (1920–1988), Puerto Rican politicianMiguel Angel Polanco (1941–2012), famous Salvadoran painter and sculptorRichard G. Polanco, American Politician, former California State Senate Majority LeaderMario Polanco, Guatemalan human rights activistPlácido Polanco (born 1975), Dominican-American Major League Baseball infielderGregory Polanco (born 1991), Dominican Major League Baseball outfielder