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

Baniaga, 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 Baniaga surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Baniaga in America

Baniaga is the 70645th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Baniaga surname appeared 277 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 Baniaga.

We can also compare 2010 data for Baniaga 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 Baniaga

The surname BANIAGA is believed to have originated in Spain, specifically in the Basque region, during the medieval period. The name is thought to be derived from the Basque words "bani" meaning "village" and "aga" meaning "elder" or "chief," suggesting that the earliest bearers of this name were likely village leaders or elders.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the BANIAGA surname can be found in the records of the town of Bilbao, where a certain Juan de BANIAGA was mentioned in a document dated 1492. This suggests that the name was already established in the region by the late 15th century.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, as Spanish explorers and colonists ventured to the Americas, some individuals bearing the BANIAGA surname made their way to the New World. One notable figure was Diego BANIAGA, a Spanish conquistador who accompanied Hernán Cortés during the conquest of Mexico in the early 1500s.

Another significant figure in BANIAGA history was María BANIAGA (1623-1687), a prominent landowner and businesswoman in colonial Peru. She played a crucial role in the economic and social development of the region, and her legacy is still celebrated in parts of modern-day Peru.

In the 18th century, the BANIAGA surname also appeared in various parts of Europe, likely due to migration and intermarriage. One example is Hans BANIAGA (1712-1778), a German merchant and trader who established a successful business in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

During the 19th century, the BANIAGA surname gained further recognition with individuals such as Isidro BANIAGA (1832-1904), a celebrated Spanish painter known for his landscapes and portraiture. His works can be found in several prestigious art galleries across Europe.

Another notable figure was Catalina BANIAGA (1845-1927), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights in Spain. She founded several schools and advocated for equal educational opportunities for women, making significant contributions to the advancement of women's education in her time.

As the BANIAGA surname spread across different regions and countries, it underwent various spelling variations, including BANIAGUES, BAÑAGA, and BANIAGAS. However, the core meaning and origins of the name remained rooted in its Basque heritage and association with village leadership and authority.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Baniaga

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

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

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

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