Save Type Surname (from location) Usage Basque, Spanish Pronounced Pron. [a.ɾe.ʎa.no](Basque) [a.ɾe.ˈʝa.no](Spanish) [key·simplify] Meaning & History From the name of a town in Nevarre, Spain, of uncertain etymology. Possibly derived from either of the Latin personal names Valerius or Aurelius, indicating land owned by someone of the name, or from Basque aritz "oak (tree)" (see haritz).