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

Ava, 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 Ava surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ava in America

Ava is the 85357th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ava surname appeared 219 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 Ava.

The history of the last name Ava

The surname AVA is believed to have originated in Spain during the Middle Ages. It is thought to have derived from the Spanish word "ava," which means "grandmother" or "ancestor." This suggests that the name may have initially been used as a nickname or descriptive term for someone who was revered or respected within their community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname AVA can be found in the medieval Spanish manuscript known as the "Codex Calixtinus" from the 12th century. This document, which was a guidebook for pilgrims traveling to the shrine of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, contains references to individuals with the surname AVA residing in the regions of Galicia and León.

During the 13th century, there are records of an influential Spanish noble named Fernando Ava, who was appointed as the governor of the city of Seville by King Alfonso X. This notable figure played a significant role in the administration and defense of the city during the Reconquista period.

In the 15th century, a prominent family bearing the surname AVA resided in the town of Ávila, located in the central region of Spain. This family was known for their involvement in local politics and trade, and their name is associated with several historical documents and property records from that era.

One of the most renowned individuals with the surname AVA was the Spanish composer and guitarist, Tomás Rafael Ava y Fernández, who lived from 1744 to 1814. He is widely regarded as a pioneer of the classical guitar and is credited with establishing many of the techniques and styles that became integral to the instrument's development.

Another notable figure was the Spanish painter and engraver, Manuel Ava y Romero, who was born in 1779 and lived until 1858. His works, which often depicted scenes from Spanish daily life and folklore, are highly regarded and can be found in numerous art collections throughout Spain and Europe.

It is worth noting that while the surname AVA has its roots in Spain, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, the historical records and references mentioned above provide valuable insights into the origins and early use of this surname within the Spanish context.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ava

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

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

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

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