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

Altagracia, 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 Altagracia surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Altagracia in America

Altagracia is the 104156th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Altagracia surname appeared 172 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 Altagracia.

The history of the last name Altagracia

The surname "ALTAGRACIA" is of Spanish origin and can be traced back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Spanish phrase "Alta Gracia," which translates to "High Grace" or "Exalted Grace." This name is closely associated with the Virgin Mary, who is often referred to as "Nuestra Señora de la Alta Gracia" (Our Lady of High Grace) in Spanish-speaking Catholic communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the chronicles of Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés, who mentions a settlement called "Alta Gracia" during his conquest of Mexico in the early 1500s. This settlement, located in what is now the state of Veracruz, was likely named after the Virgin Mary, and it is believed that some of the settlers may have adopted the surname "ALTAGRACIA" as a result.

In the 17th century, the name appears in various historical documents from the Spanish colonies in the Caribbean, particularly in the Dominican Republic. One notable figure with this surname was Juan de Altagracia, a Dominican friar and missionary who lived from 1602 to 1670. He is revered as a patron saint in the Dominican Republic and is credited with spreading Catholicism throughout the island.

Another prominent bearer of the name was María de la Altagracia, a Dominican woman who lived in the 18th century and is believed to have been instrumental in the construction of the Basilica of Our Lady of High Grace in Higüey, Dominican Republic. This basilica is a major pilgrimage site and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary under the title of "Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia."

In the 19th century, the name appears in records from various Spanish-speaking countries, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. One noteworthy individual was José María Altagracia, a Cuban poet and writer who lived from 1832 to 1895. He is renowned for his contributions to the literary movement known as "Costumbrismo," which focused on depicting the customs and traditions of everyday life.

Another significant figure with this surname was Tomás Altagracia, a Puerto Rican politician and independence activist who lived from 1856 to 1925. He played a crucial role in the island's struggle for independence from Spain and later advocated for Puerto Rico's independence from the United States.

While the surname "ALTAGRACIA" has its roots in the Spanish language and Catholic traditions, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its connection to the Virgin Mary and the concept of "High Grace" remain central to its historical significance and cultural significance in many Spanish-speaking communities.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Altagracia

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

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

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

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