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

Chapa, 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 Chapa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chapa in America

Chapa is the 2297th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chapa surname appeared 15,865 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 5 people would have the surname Chapa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Chapa 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 Chapa

The surname Chapa has its origins in Spain, where it first emerged in the late medieval period. It is derived from the Spanish word "chapa," which means "plate" or "sheet" in English. This word has its roots in the Latin word "plattus," meaning "flat."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Chapa surname dates back to the 14th century, when it appeared in a document from the region of Castile y León. During this time, it was not uncommon for surnames to originate from occupations or physical characteristics, and it is possible that the Chapa name was initially given to someone who worked with metal plates or sheets.

In the 15th century, the name Chapa can be found in records from the town of Zamora, located in the province of the same name. This suggests that the surname may have been particularly prevalent in this area during the early stages of its development.

A notable figure in Spanish history bearing the Chapa surname was Juan de Chapa, a 16th-century military commander who served under King Philip II. He played a significant role in the Spanish conquest of the Philippines and was appointed as the first Spanish governor of the island of Cebu in 1565.

Another prominent individual with this surname was Pedro Chapa, a 17th-century Spanish painter who was active in Madrid during the reign of King Philip IV. His works, which included religious paintings and portraits, can still be found in various churches and museums across Spain.

In the 18th century, the Chapa surname spread beyond Spain's borders, with individuals bearing this name appearing in records from Spanish colonial territories in the Americas. One such example is José María Chapa, a Mexican landowner and rancher who lived in the state of Coahuila y Texas during the early 19th century.

As the Chapa surname continued to disperse throughout the world, it also underwent various spelling variations, such as Chappa, Chappe, and Chapas. Additionally, the name has been associated with certain place names, like Chapa in the Spanish province of León, which may have influenced its development.

Throughout history, the Chapa surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, including military leaders, artists, landowners, and more. While its origins can be traced back to medieval Spain, the name has since spread across continents and cultures, reflecting the rich tapestry of human migration and heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chapa

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

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

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

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