Ruiz is a common Spanish surname that originated from the personal name Rodrigo. It means “son of Ruy” or “son of Roy,” which were shortened forms of Rodrigo. The surname has been found throughout the Spanish-speaking world, including Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines. Famous people with the surname Ruiz include artist Diego Rivera, baseball player Carlos Ruiz, and boxer John Ruiz. The name is also commonly used as a middle name, such as in the case of former US Secretary of Energy, Samuel Bodman Ruiz.
