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

Araújo, 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 Araújo surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Araújo in America

Araújo is the 124872nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Araújo surname appeared 127 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Araújo.

The history of the last name Araújo

The surname Araugo finds its origins in the Iberian Peninsula, with its roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is predominantly associated with regions of modern-day Spain and Portugal. Derived from the Old Galician-Portuguese language, the name possibly comes from a topographic surname related to the word Araujo or Araújo, meaning a 'native place' or 'place with chestnut trees'. The element 'arau' might be connected with 'araucaria', which is a type of tree.

Earliest references to this name can be found in medieval documents pertaining to the nobility and land ownership in Galicia and Northern Portugal. Records from the 12th century mention Afonso Araugo, a landowner from the Minho region, in one of the royal charters of Portugal. Over time, members of the Araugo family were noted in positions of influence and as participants in important events of medieval Iberian history.

One of the notable historical figures bearing this surname was Diogo Araugo, a 15th-century maritime explorer who was part of the early Portuguese expeditions to Africa. Born around 1420, Diogo Araugo played a critical role in expanding Portugal's geographical knowledge during the Age of Discovery. Another significant person was Pedro Araugo, who served as a royal advisor to King John II of Portugal in the late 15th century.

In the 16th century, the surname appears in religious contexts, with Father Manuel de Araugo being a renowned Jesuit missionary born in 1565. He played a substantial role in the Catholic missions in the newly discovered lands of South America. His works have been chronicled in the records of the Society of Jesus and by contemporary historians.

During the 17th century, the name Araugo became associated with literature and the arts. Francisco de Araugo, born in 1603, was a celebrated poet and songwriter in the Portuguese court. His sonnets and lyrical compositions remain exemplars of the Baroque style prevalent during this period. His contributions are documented in several anthologies of Portuguese poetry.

In academia, the Araugo family is noted for producing several scholars. Among them was Catarina de Araugo, an influential 18th-century historian and linguist. Born in 1725, she contributed significantly to the study of Iberian medieval texts and was one of the first women to be inducted into the Royal Academy of History in Spain.

The surname's association with various significant historical figures across different centuries highlights its enduring legacy and the diverse roles played by individuals bearing the name. The regional and linguistic roots of Araugo reflect the rich tapestry of Iberian culture and history, spanning nobility, exploration, religion, arts, and scholarship.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Araújo

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Araújo 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 Araújo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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