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

Areiza, 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 Areiza surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Areiza in America

Areiza is the 144141st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Areiza surname appeared 115 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 Areiza.

The history of the last name Areiza

The surname Areiza originated in the Basque Country, a region spanning parts of northern Spain and southwestern France. Its roots can be traced back to the early medieval period, around the 8th to 10th centuries. The name is believed to derive from the Basque word "aretx," meaning "rocky place" or "stony ground," suggesting that the earliest bearers of this name may have lived in or near a rocky area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Areiza name can be found in the Cartulario de San Millán de la Cogolla, a medieval cartulary from the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla in La Rioja, Spain. This document, dating back to the 10th century, mentions an individual named "Areiza Sanz" as a landowner in the area.

In the 13th century, a prominent figure named Juan Areiza was a member of the court of King Alfonso X of Castile, also known as Alfonso the Wise. Juan Areiza served as a trusted advisor to the king and was involved in the compilation of the celebrated legal code known as the Siete Partidas.

During the 16th century, a notable individual with the Areiza surname was Martín Areiza, a Basque explorer and navigator who accompanied Juan Sebastián Elcano on the famous Magellan-Elcano expedition, which completed the first circumnavigation of the globe. Martín Areiza played a crucial role in navigating the treacherous Strait of Magellan and is mentioned in the expedition's logbooks.

In the 18th century, a man named Francisco Areiza gained recognition as a skilled artisan and sculptor. He was commissioned to create intricate carvings and decorations for several churches and cathedrals in the Basque region, showcasing his remarkable talent and craftsmanship.

Another notable bearer of the Areiza name was María Areiza, a 19th-century writer and educator from Bilbao, Spain. She authored several works on pedagogy and children's literature, contributing significantly to the educational landscape of her time. María Areiza was also an advocate for women's rights and played a role in promoting educational opportunities for girls.

Over the centuries, variations of the Areiza name have emerged, such as Areitio, Areyza, and Ariza, reflecting regional linguistic variations and adaptations. Additionally, the name has spread beyond its Basque origins, with descendants of Areiza families migrating to other parts of Spain, Latin America, and beyond, carrying their distinctive surname with them.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Areiza

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

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

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

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