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

Altamira, 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 Altamira surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Altamira in America

Altamira is the 50275th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Altamira surname appeared 416 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 Altamira.

We can also compare 2010 data for Altamira 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 Altamira

The surname Altamira originated in Spain, tracing its roots back to the 15th century. It is derived from the Spanish words "alta" meaning "high" and "mira" meaning "view" or "lookout." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who lived in a location with a commanding view, such as a hilltop or elevated position.

The earliest recorded instances of the Altamira surname can be found in historical documents from the regions of Castile and León in central Spain. One notable example is the mention of a nobleman named Diego de Altamira in a royal decree issued by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1492, granting him land and titles for his services during the Reconquista.

In the 16th century, the Altamira name appeared in various records related to the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Juan de Altamira, born in 1524 in Seville, was a renowned conquistador and explorer who accompanied Hernán Cortés on his expeditions to Mexico. He later became one of the first Spanish settlers in the region of Michoacán.

Another prominent figure was Pedro de Altamira, born in 1587 in Burgos, Spain. He was a Jesuit priest and missionary who traveled to the Philippines in the early 17th century. His writings and accounts of his missionary work in the region provide valuable insights into the cultural and religious practices of the time.

The Altamira name is also associated with a notable archaeological site in northern Spain. The Cave of Altamira, located in the province of Cantabria, is famous for its stunning prehistoric cave paintings, which were discovered in 1879 by María Sanz de Sautuola, a local nobleman's daughter. The cave and its artwork have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are considered one of the most important examples of Paleolithic art in the world.

Another significant figure bearing the Altamira name was Gaspar de Guzmán y Pimentel, Count-Duke of Olivares, born in 1587 in Rome. He was a Spanish nobleman and the chief minister of King Philip IV of Spain, playing a crucial role in shaping the policies and governance of the Spanish Empire during the 17th century.

Throughout history, the Altamira surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including nobility, clergy, explorers, and scholars. Its origins and legacy are deeply rooted in the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Spain.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Altamira

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

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

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

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