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

Alayo, 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 Alayo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Alayo in America

Alayo is the 100302nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Alayo surname appeared 180 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 Alayo.

The history of the last name Alayo

The surname ALAYO is believed to have originated from the Basque region of Spain and France, tracing its roots back to the 15th century. The name is derived from the Basque word "alaia," which means "joyful" or "cheerful," suggesting that the earliest bearers of this name may have possessed a happy and upbeat demeanor.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the ALAYO surname can be found in the archives of the town of Guernica, located in the Basque Country of Spain. In a document dated 1472, a certain Pedro Alayo is mentioned as a landowner and prominent citizen of the community. This record provides evidence of the surname's existence during the late medieval period.

The ALAYO name gained further prominence in the 16th century, when Juan Alayo (1520-1592) rose to become a respected theologian and scholar at the University of Salamanca. His writings on Catholic doctrine and philosophy were widely read and influential during the Renaissance era.

In the 17th century, the ALAYO surname made its way to the New World, with the arrival of Spanish settlers in the Americas. One notable figure from this period was Diego Alayo (1635-1708), a Spanish conquistador and explorer who led expeditions into present-day Mexico and California.

The 18th century saw the emergence of Maria Alayo (1740-1812), a celebrated Spanish painter known for her portraits and religious works. Her artistic talents were recognized by the Spanish Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and her paintings can still be found in various museums and churches throughout Spain.

As the ALAYO name spread across Europe and the Americas, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Alayó, Alaiyo, and Alahyo, reflecting regional linguistic differences and the evolution of the written form over time.

Other notable individuals bearing the ALAYO surname include:

1. Francisco Alayo (1876-1954), a Cuban politician and diplomat who served as the Ambassador to the United States in the early 20th century.
2. Luisa Alayo (1892-1976), a Peruvian educator and women's rights activist who founded several schools and advocated for improved educational opportunities for girls.
3. Andrés Alayo (1923-2009), a renowned Spanish architect known for his innovative designs and contributions to modern architecture in Spain.
4. Carmen Alayo (1928-2018), a Mexican actress and singer who enjoyed a successful career in film, television, and theater throughout the mid-20th century.
5. Rafael Alayo (1960-), a Cuban-American author and journalist who has written extensively on topics related to Latin American culture and politics.

These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals bearing the ALAYO surname, spanning various countries, professions, and historical periods.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Alayo

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

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 Alayo was:

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 Alayo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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