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

Canga, 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 Canga surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Canga in America

Canga is the 147253rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Canga surname appeared 112 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 Canga.

The history of the last name Canga

The surname Canga originated in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in the regions of Galicia, Spain and northern Portugal, during the medieval period. It is derived from the Galician-Portuguese word "canga," which refers to a type of wooden yoke used to harness oxen or cattle for plowing fields or transporting heavy loads. This name likely originated as a nickname or occupational surname for someone who worked with oxen or in agriculture.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Canga can be found in the Tombo de Celanova, a medieval cartulary (collection of charters and records) from the Benedictine monastery of Celanova in Galicia, dating back to the 12th century. This document mentions individuals bearing the name Canga, indicating its existence and use in that region during that time.

In the 13th century, the Canga surname appeared in the Libro de las Behetrías, a census-like document compiled during the reign of King Alfonso X of Castile and León (1252-1284), which listed landowners and their properties throughout the kingdom. This record provides valuable insights into the geographical distribution of the Canga surname in that era.

One notable individual bearing the Canga surname was Diego Canga Argüelles (1776-1843), a Spanish politician, economist, and writer who served as Minister of Finance during the reign of Ferdinand VII. He was a prominent figure in the early 19th century and authored several works on economics and finance.

Another historical figure was Julián Canga Argüelles (1770-1843), a Spanish military officer and politician who served as Minister of War during the Peninsular War against Napoleon's forces. He played a crucial role in the Spanish resistance against the French invasion and was a vocal proponent of liberal reforms.

In the 16th century, the Canga surname was also found in the Canary Islands, where it was associated with the town of Canga, located on the island of Tenerife. This town likely derived its name from the same Galician-Portuguese word, suggesting a connection to the surname's origins.

Other notable individuals with the Canga surname include José Canga Argüelles (1828-1898), a Spanish journalist and writer known for his works on literature and politics, and Alejandro Canga Rodríguez (born 1994), a Spanish professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Real Valladolid.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Canga

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

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

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

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