Alaga last name popularity, history, and meaning

Find out how popular the last name Alaga is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Alaga.

Meaning of Alaga

A Basque surname derived from the word "alaga," meaning a pen or enclosure for livestock.

Alaga, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Alaga surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Alaga in America

Alaga is the 150452nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Alaga surname appeared 109 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Alaga.

The history of the last name Alaga

The surname "ALAGA" has its origins in the Philippines, and it is thought to have emerged during the Spanish colonial period, which lasted from the 16th to the 19th century. The name is believed to derive from the Tagalog word "alaga," which means "pet" or "favorite."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "ALAGA" can be found in historical documents from the late 18th century, where it appeared as a name used by families living in the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga. It is possible that the name was initially bestowed upon individuals who were particularly valued or cherished within their communities, perhaps due to their skills, talents, or personal qualities.

During the Spanish colonial era, surnames were often assigned to indigenous Filipinos as a means of assimilation and record-keeping. The practice of adopting Spanish-influenced surnames was encouraged by the colonial authorities, and many Filipinos adopted names that reflected their occupations, physical characteristics, or other personal attributes.

One notable figure bearing the surname "ALAGA" was Francisco Alaga, a prominent landowner and community leader in the town of Malolos, Bulacan, during the late 19th century. He was known for his advocacy of education and his efforts to establish schools in the region.

Another individual with the surname "ALAGA" was Joaquina Alaga, who was born in Pampanga in the early 19th century. She was renowned for her skills as a weaver and her contributions to preserving traditional textile arts in the region.

In the early 20th century, Pedro Alaga, a farmer from Bulacan, gained recognition for his innovative agricultural techniques and his efforts to promote sustainable farming practices in his community.

Additionally, historical records mention a Maria Alaga, who lived in the town of San Miguel, Bulacan, in the late 19th century. She was known for her expertise in traditional herbal medicine and her role as a respected healer in her community.

Juan Alaga, born in Pampanga in the mid-19th century, was a prominent figure in the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule. He served as a captain in the revolutionary forces and played a significant role in several battles.

While the surname "ALAGA" may have originated as a descriptor or a nickname, it has since become a proud part of the Filipino heritage, reflecting the diverse cultural and linguistic influences that have shaped the country's history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Alaga

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Alaga.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

  1. White only
  2. Black only
  3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
  4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
  5. Hispanic
  6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Alaga was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 55.96% 61
Non-Hispanic Black Only 20.18% 22
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 13.76% 15
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 6.42% 7
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Alaga was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Alaga, please contact us.

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If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Alaga last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 6, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/alaga-surname-popularity/.

"Alaga last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/alaga-surname-popularity/. Accessed 6 May, 2025

Alaga last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/alaga-surname-popularity/.

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