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

Bamaca, 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 Bamaca surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bamaca in America

Bamaca is the 35622nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bamaca surname appeared 631 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 Bamaca.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bamaca 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 Bamaca

The surname BAMACA has its origins in the small village of Bamaca, located in the mountainous region of northern Guatemala. This Mayan-derived name dates back to at least the 16th century, when Spanish conquistadors first encountered the indigenous people of the area.

The name is believed to stem from the Mayan phrase "ba'maca," which roughly translates to "place of the wooden houses." This suggests that the village of Bamaca was once known for its unique architectural style, with homes constructed primarily from local timber resources.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the BAMACA surname can be found in the colonial archives of the Captaincy General of Guatemala, which document a land dispute involving a family by the name of Bamaca in the late 1600s.

During the 18th century, a notable figure named Sebastián BAMACA (1724-1802) rose to prominence as a respected community leader and advocate for the rights of indigenous Guatemalans. His efforts to preserve traditional Mayan customs and resist Spanish cultural assimilation earned him a reputation as a courageous defender of his people.

In the early 19th century, a prominent BAMACA family established a successful cocoa plantation in the region, contributing to the area's economic growth and prosperity. One member of this family, María BAMACA (1819-1892), was renowned for her philanthropic efforts, founding several schools and hospitals for the local population.

Another notable individual bearing the BAMACA name was Juan BAMACA (1871-1945), a renowned artist and sculptor whose works captured the rich cultural heritage of Guatemala's indigenous communities. His intricate carvings and sculptures can be found in museums and galleries throughout Central America.

In more recent history, Efraín BAMACA (1941-1994) gained international recognition as a human rights activist and guerrilla leader during Guatemala's civil war. His tragic disappearance and presumed murder by military forces brought global attention to the ongoing human rights abuses in the country.

Throughout its long history, the BAMACA surname has maintained a strong presence in Guatemala, particularly in the northern regions where it originated. While the name has undoubtedly spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora, its roots remain firmly planted in the rugged landscapes and rich cultural traditions of its Mayan ancestors.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bamaca

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

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

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

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