Botella last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Botella

A Spanish surname derived from the word for "bottle" or "flask".

Botella, 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 Botella surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Botella in America

Botella is the 119644th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Botella surname appeared 134 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Botella.

The history of the last name Botella

The surname Botella has its origins in Spain, with historical roots in the region of Valencia. The name likely emerged in the medieval period, around the 12th to 14th centuries, during a time when surnames began to be used more commonly to distinguish individuals within communities. Derived from the Spanish word "botella," meaning "bottle," the surname is thought to have originally been an occupational name for someone who made or sold bottles or was involved in the wine trade.

In historical records, the surname Botella has appeared in various forms in manuscripts and documents. One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the archives of the Kingdom of Valencia, which was a prominent region in Spain during the Reconquista and the subsequent Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula. Historical documents from the 15th century, such as notarial records and municipal archives, often mention individuals bearing the Botella surname engaged in commercial activities in the bustling marketplaces of Valencia.

Among the earliest recorded examples of the surname is Juan de Botella, who was mentioned in the municipal archives of Valencia in 1483. He was a tradesman involved in the distribution of wine and other goods, a profession that closely aligns with the etymological origins of the name. The records provide insight into the lives of the early Botellas, showing their involvement in local commerce and community affairs.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, other notable individuals with the surname can be found. Francisco Botella, born in 1584 in Valencia, was a prominent merchant who expanded his trade to include imports of fine glassware, further illustrating the connection of the name to the trade of bottles and related goods. Documents from this period also show the Botella family holding positions of significance within guilds and trade associations in Valencia.

In the 18th century, Maria Botella, born in 1721 and married into a prominent Valencian family, played a notable role in the social and philanthropic activities of the time. Her work in supporting local artisans and promoting the trade of Valencian handcrafts highlighted the influence of the Botella family within the regional economic landscape.

Moving into the 19th century, Joaquín Botella, born in 1806, became well-known as an influential political figure in Valencia. His career in public service included terms as a city councilor and an advocate for civic improvements, showcasing the continued prominence of the Botella name in local affairs.

By the turn of the 20th century, the Botella surname had become established not just in Valencia but also in other regions of Spain, as well as in Latin America due to emigration. One noteworthy individual was Rafael Botella, born in 1875, who became a notable artist and craftsman, celebrated for his contributions to the revival of traditional Spanish pottery and ceramics.

In summary, the surname Botella traces its roots to the medieval period in Valencia, Spain, and is associated with trades related to bottles and wine. Historical references from the 15th century onwards reveal a family involved in commerce and public service, with notable individuals like Juan de Botella, Francisco Botella, Maria Botella, Joaquín Botella, and Rafael Botella contributing to their communities across different centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Botella

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Botella was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 31.34% 42
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 15.67% 21
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin 51.49% 69

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

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

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"Botella last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 12, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/botella-surname-popularity/.

"Botella last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/botella-surname-popularity/. Accessed 12 October, 2025

Botella last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/botella-surname-popularity/.

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