Capilla is a Spanish surname that originated as a topographic or occupational name referring to a chapel (from Latin cappella, a diminutive of cappa 'cape'). It is the Spanish equivalent of the German surname Kappel, belonging to a broader family of European surnames — such as Catalan Capella, French Chaplin and Lachapelle, and Portuguese Capela — all derived from the same Latin root. The ultimate origin lies in the word cappella, which originally referred to the relic of a cape (Latin cappa) belonging to Saint Martin of Tours. According to medieval Christian tradition, the torn half of Martin's cloak was housed as a holy relic in a small structure, and by extension cappella came to mean any little church or chapel. Thus, bearers of the name Capilla likely had ancestors who lived near a notable chapel, worked at one, or perhaps were caretakers. Under Spanish usage, Capilla (with its diminutive suffix -illa) carries a literal meaning of 'little chapel'. The name appears across the Spanish-speaking world, but is especially frequent in Spain and Mexico. In the United States, it is a relatively uncommon surname: according to the 2010 Census, Capilla ranked 39,773rd in frequency, with 552 bearers, of whom over 90% identified as Hispanic or Latino. Notable individuals sharing the surname include Spanish footballer Diego Capilla (born 1985), who played as a defender for clubs such as Málaga B and CD El Ejido. The name also appears in historical records linked to Spanish colonialism, carried by early settlers who established chapels in the Americas. Etymology The lineage traces back to the Late Latin cappella, a designation for a small religious building, which itself is a diminutive of cappa 'cape'. The association with Saint Martin's relic gave the word its chapel meaning. In the Iberian context, the Spanish form Capilla parallels toponymic surnames like Iglesias (churches) and Hermida (hermitage). The name Kappel, along with its cognate Capella, reflects a shared Germanic influence of the same root across Central Europe. Distribution While the surname is most common in Spain, it also has significant concentrations in Latin America, especially Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States. Variants in other Romance languages, such as Capela in Portugal and Galicia, chart the dissemination of the same toponym across the Catholic world. Key Facts Meaning: 'little chapel' (Spanish) Origin: Late Latin cappella, diminutive of cappa (cape), via Saint Martin's relic Type: Topographic / occupational surname Usage regions: Spain, Mexico, United States (Hispanic communities)