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

Chato, 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 Chato surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chato in America

Chato is the 158432nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chato surname appeared 102 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 Chato.

The history of the last name Chato

The surname Chato has its origins in Spain, dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Spanish word "chato," which means "flat-nosed" or "snub-nosed." This nickname was likely given to someone with a distinctive facial feature and eventually became a hereditary surname.

During the Middle Ages, nicknames were commonly adopted as surnames, particularly those describing physical characteristics or occupations. The earliest recorded instance of the surname Chato can be found in the records of the Kingdom of Aragon, where a certain Juan Chato was mentioned in a document from 1287.

In the 14th century, the surname Chato appeared in various regions of Spain, including Andalusia and Castile. One notable individual bearing this name was Pedro Chato, a soldier who fought alongside King Alfonso XI during the Siege of Gibraltar in 1333.

As the Spanish empire expanded across the Atlantic, the surname Chato traveled with the conquistadors and settlers to the Americas. In the 16th century, a prominent figure was Hernán Chato, a navigator and explorer who accompanied Hernán Cortés during the conquest of Mexico.

In the 17th century, the Chato surname gained prominence in the region of Extremadura, where a wealthy landowner named Juan Chato owned vast estates and vineyards. His descendants continued to carry the name for generations.

Another notable figure was Alonso Chato, a Franciscan friar who lived in the late 17th century. He was known for his missionary work among the indigenous populations of New Spain (present-day Mexico) and his efforts to preserve their languages and cultural traditions.

During the 18th century, the Chato surname was found in various parts of the Spanish colonial empire, including the Philippines and the Caribbean. One noteworthy individual was Diego Chato, a Cuban-born military officer who fought against the British during the American Revolutionary War.

In the 19th century, the Chato surname spread further as Spanish immigrants settled in different parts of the world, including Latin America and the United States. One prominent figure was José Chato, a Mexican general who played a significant role in the Mexican-American War.

Throughout history, the surname Chato has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including soldiers, explorers, landowners, missionaries, and military officers. While its origins may have stemmed from a physical characteristic, the name has endured and become part of the rich tapestry of Spanish and Hispanic culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chato

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

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

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

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