Famous people named Torres

Sport

Football fans know Fernando Torres (born 1984), the striker who scored the winning goal for Spain in the Euro 2008 final, and Ferran Torres (born 2000), a later Spain international. Brazil's Carlos Alberto Torres (1944–2016) captained the 1970 World Cup winners and scored one of the tournament's most celebrated goals.

• Dara Torres (born 1967), American swimmer who competed at five Olympic Games and won medals at the age of 41.
• José Torres (1936–2009), Puerto Rican boxer and world light-heavyweight champion.
• Gleyber Torres (born 1996), Venezuelan infielder in Major League Baseball.
• Raffi Torres (born 1981), Canadian ice hockey forward.

Faith, politics and letters

• Camilo Torres Tenorio (1766–1816), a leader of Colombian independence, executed during the Spanish reconquest.
• Camilo Torres Restrepo (1929–1966), Colombian priest and sociologist whose life is still debated in Latin America.
• Diego de Torres Villarroel (1693–1770), Spanish writer and professor at Salamanca.
• Ritchie Torres (born 1988), member of the US House of Representatives from the Bronx.

Across the Hispanic world

The spread of the name shows in sport alone: Puerto Rican baseball outfielder Andrés Torres (born 1978), Colombian playmaker Macnelly Torres (born 1984), Uruguayan forward Facundo Torres (born 2000) and Chilean pole vaulter Carolina Torres (born 1979). An earlier French bearer, gymnast Marco Torrès (1888–1963), was world all-around champion in 1913, the first time the title was awarded at the championships in Paris.

Screen

Gina Torres (born 1969), the Cuban-American actress of Firefly and Suits, is among the best-known Torres names in television.

The name comes from places called Torres, "towers", in Spain and Portugal, and from homes beside a tower, so these families have many separate roots. The same is true of heraldry: arms were carried by particular lines. For the surname's meaning see our Torres coat of arms page; to research your own line, read Torres family history and genealogy.