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

Alfonseca, 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 Alfonseca surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Alfonseca in America

Alfonseca is the 80419th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Alfonseca surname appeared 236 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 Alfonseca.

We can also compare 2010 data for Alfonseca to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Alfonseca

The surname Alfonseca is of Spanish origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval Iberian Peninsula. It is believed to have originated during the late 12th or early 13th century, a period marked by the Christian Reconquista and the establishment of Spanish kingdoms.

One of the earliest known references to the name Alfonseca can be found in ancient municipal records from the region of Extremadura, located in western Spain. These documents mention individuals bearing the surname, suggesting its presence in the area during the Middle Ages.

Etymologically, Alfonseca is likely derived from the Spanish personal name "Alfonso," which itself has its origins in the Germanic name "Adefuns." The suffix "-eca" was commonly added to surnames in Spanish-speaking regions, often indicating a place of origin or association.

Researchers have uncovered mentions of the Alfonseca name in various historical documents, including cathedral records, property deeds, and legal proceedings from cities like Cáceres and Badajoz in Extremadura. These records provide insight into the lives and activities of Alfonseca families during the late medieval and early Renaissance periods.

One notable figure bearing the Alfonseca surname was Juan Alfonseca, a 15th-century nobleman and landowner from the town of Villafranca de los Barros in Badajoz. Records indicate that he held significant influence and wealth in the region during his lifetime.

Another individual of historical significance was Rodrigo Alfonseca, a Spanish explorer and conquistador who accompanied Hernán Cortés in the conquest of Mexico in the early 16th century. Alfonseca played a role in several decisive battles against the Aztec Empire and later settled in the newly established Spanish colonies.

In the realm of literature, the poet and playwright Diego Alfonseca gained recognition in the 17th century for his works that explored themes of love, honor, and human nature. Born in Seville in 1602, his plays were performed in theaters across Spain and influenced the development of Spanish Golden Age theater.

During the 18th century, a branch of the Alfonseca family established itself in the Canary Islands, where they were involved in the thriving wine trade. One member, Tomás Alfonseca, became a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of La Orotava on the island of Tenerife.

The Alfonseca surname also found its way to the Americas during the Spanish colonial era. Records show that several individuals bearing the name settled in various regions, including Mexico, Peru, and Argentina, contributing to the diverse cultural fabric of the New World.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Alfonseca

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

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 Alfonseca 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Alfonseca has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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