The Spanish surname Garza is of nickname origin deriving from garza  meaning “heron,” and probably applied as a nickname for someone with long legs. The name is found throughout Spain and records date to the 15th Century. The name was brought to the new world in the 16th Century and early records there include Christabal Garza at Asuncion, Districto Federal, Mexico, on November 14th 1645, Felipe Santiago Garza at Mission San Carlos, Borroreo, California, on December 13th 1777, and Lopez Garza at Santa Catarina, Mexico, on June 26th 1778.