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

Benítez, 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 Benítez surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Benítez in America

Benítez is the 131379th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Benítez surname appeared 129 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 Benítez.

The history of the last name Benítez

The surname Benetez has its origins in Spain, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Spanish word "bendecir," meaning "to bless," with the addition of the suffix "-ez," which denotes a patronymic or familial name. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who was blessed or had a connection to religious or spiritual practices.

One of the earliest records of the name can be found in the Libro de Repartimiento, a 13th-century document that recorded the distribution of land and properties among the Christian conquerors after the Reconquista of Valencia in 1238. The name Benetez appears in this document, indicating its presence in the region during that time period.

The name has also been associated with various place names in Spain, such as Benacazón, a municipality in the province of Seville, and Benacazón de Córdoba, a town in the province of Córdoba. These place names may have influenced the spelling variations of the surname, such as Benaitez, Benitez, or Benítez.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Benetez. One of the earliest recorded was Alonso Benetez (c. 1450-1520), a Spanish explorer and conquistador who participated in the conquest of Mexico alongside Hernán Cortés. Another prominent figure was Jerónimo Benítez de Lugo (1540-1598), a Spanish nobleman and military commander who served as the governor of Puerto Rico from 1593 to 1598.

In the realm of arts and literature, Joaquín Benítez (1829-1884) was a renowned Spanish painter known for his portraits and historical scenes. Rafael Benítez Claramunt (1936-2021), on the other hand, was a celebrated Spanish novelist and screenwriter, best known for his works exploring the complexities of human relationships.

Lastly, in the field of sports, Rafael Benítez (born 1960) is a prominent Spanish football manager who has coached teams such as Liverpool, Chelsea, and Newcastle United, winning numerous titles and accolades throughout his career.

These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and achievements of individuals who have carried the surname Benetez, showcasing its rich history and enduring presence across various facets of society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Benítez

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

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

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

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