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

Barajas, 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 Barajas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Barajas in America

Barajas is the 763rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Barajas surname appeared 45,153 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 15 people would have the surname Barajas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Barajas 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 Barajas

The surname Barajas originated in Spain, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Spanish word "baraja," meaning a deck of cards or a pack of playing cards. It is believed that the name was initially given to individuals involved in the production or trade of playing cards, which were highly valued during that era.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Barajas surname can be found in the town of Barajas de Melo, located in the province of Cuenca, Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain. This town served as a center for the manufacture and distribution of playing cards, contributing to the widespread use of the surname in the surrounding areas.

Historical records from the 15th century mention a prominent figure named Juan de Barajas, a skilled card maker and merchant who supplied playing cards to the Spanish nobility. His reputation and success in the trade likely led to the surname becoming more established and associated with the craft.

Another notable figure from the 16th century was Alonso de Barajas, a renowned artist and calligrapher known for his exquisite designs on playing card decks. His artistic contributions elevated the status of playing cards and the Barajas name during the Renaissance period.

In the 17th century, the Barajas surname gained further prominence with the birth of Francisco de Barajas y Lozano, a Spanish military officer and explorer who played a significant role in the colonization of the Americas. His expedition to the region now known as Texas left a lasting mark on the history of the area.

Moving into the 18th century, the name Barajas appeared in the records of the Spanish Inquisition, with Diego de Barajas being accused and tried for heretical beliefs. Despite the controversy, his case shed light on the complex sociopolitical landscape of the time and the influence of the Barajas family.

As the centuries progressed, the Barajas surname continued to spread across Spain and eventually to other parts of the world, particularly Latin America, due to Spanish colonization and migration. Many individuals bearing the name Barajas have made significant contributions in various fields, including the arts, literature, and politics.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Barajas

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

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

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

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