<P> Additionally, while the Spanish and Hebrew etymological origins are distinct, there are nevertheless those who carry the surname because, in their particular case, the origin of their surname is Spanish Jewish (i.e. Sephardic), and they, as Spanish Jews or their descendants, adopted the surname precisely because of its ambiguity . </P> <P> Pérez as a surname among Spanish Jews or their descendants could be considered by their non-Jewish Spanish or Hispanic neighbors a typical Christian surname, yet still pay homage to their Jewish roots . This was helpful during the times of the Spanish Inquisition and its persecution of the Jews (and their baptized New Christian descendants) in Spain and its colonies in Hispanic America . </P> <P> Among Spaniards and Hispanics, the surname by itself does not necessarily indicate a Jewish heritage . Likewise, among Jews, the surname does not by itself necessarily indicate a Sephardic heritage . </P> <P> In Castilian Spanish, the name is pronounced (ˈpeɾeθ) and in Latin America, (ˈpeɾes). The accent or stress is placed on the second - to - last syllable as with all Spanish patronymic surnames . </P>

Where does the last name perez originate from