Pérez is a Spanish-language surname. It was misunderstood as a patronymic meaning "son of Peter" (Pedro or Pero, (Peterson). The surname is extremely common throughout the Hispanic world. Its originally a Hebrew name פרץ(cf. Genesis 38:29). In 1318 Hebrew Spanish families that converted to the Christian faith, within the Spanish catholic tradition (by force or convictions) adopted Perez as their family name. It was a sign of hope for the coming of the Messiah, since he would be called Ben Peretz (בן פרץ). The Other forms of the same family name are: Peris, Peretz, Pritz, Pretz, Fretz, Fares, Farez, among others. There has been many prejudice, jokes, and stories about the Perez because their roots are among the 'maranos' (conversos). Marano is from the Hebrew 'maran' which means convertionoun These were Spanish Jews who are also known as anusim, Sephardim, chuetas, ladinos, and jibaros in some countries, e.g., Puerto Rico, because the phrase 'Yibarakhu.' (Do not confuse with the native American group that are named the same in South America.)