Cantabria has been the birthplace of exceptional and notable individuals in fields such as literature, arts, sciences, etc. Many of them have played a decisive role, not only in the history and events of the region, but also on the national and international levels. These include:

Business: Jesús de Polanco, Emilio Botín, Ana Patricia Botin, Vicente Calderon

Sports: Francisco Gento, “Santillana”, José Manuel Abascal, Seve Ballesteros, Óscar Freire, Juan José Cobo, Cecilio Lastra, Francisco Ventoso, Ruth Beitia, Sergio Canales, Athenea del Castillo

Music: Ataúlfo Argenta, David Bustamante, La Fuga

Film, radio, and TV: Mario Camus, Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón, Eduardo Noriega, Antonio Resines, Nacho Vigalondo, Ricardo Palacios.

Military: Corocotta, Pedro Velarde

Religion: San Emeterio, San Celedonio, Beatus of Liébana

Explorers: Juan de la Cosa, Vital Alsar, José de Bustamante y Guerra

Literature: José María de Pereda, Concha Espina, Gerardo Diego, Álvaro Pombo, Luys Santa Marina.

Painting: María Blanchard, José de Madrazo, Francisco González Gómez

Science and technology: Leonardo Torres Quevedo, Juan de Herrera

Politics: Luis Carrero Blanco, José Luis Zamanillo, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, Joaquín Leguina, Miguel Ángel Revilla, Antonio Valverde y Cosío

Sociology: Rosa Cobo Bedía