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

Chimal, 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 Chimal surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chimal in America

Chimal is the 41799th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chimal surname appeared 520 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 Chimal.

We can also compare 2010 data for Chimal 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 Chimal

The surname CHIMAL has its origins in Mexico, where it first appeared during the 16th century. The name is derived from the Nahuatl language, which was spoken by the Aztecs and other indigenous peoples of central Mexico. The word "chimal" in Nahuatl means "shield," indicating that the name may have been given to someone who was skilled in using this defensive weapon or was associated with its manufacture.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname CHIMAL can be found in the Codex Mendoza, a 16th-century Aztec codex that served as a census and tax record. This document mentions several individuals with the surname, suggesting that it was already well-established in the region at the time.

In the 17th century, the CHIMAL surname appeared in various church records and land deeds in the Mexican states of Puebla and Veracruz. These documents provide valuable insights into the lives of individuals bearing this name, including their occupations, family relationships, and place of residence.

One notable figure with the surname CHIMAL was Juan CHIMAL (1610-1678), a renowned painter and sculptor from Puebla. His works can be found in several churches and monasteries throughout the region, showcasing his skill in religious art.

Another prominent individual was María CHIMAL (1765-1839), a renowned poet and playwright from Veracruz. Her literary works were widely acclaimed during her lifetime and contributed to the cultural landscape of colonial Mexico.

In the 19th century, the CHIMAL surname gained recognition beyond Mexico's borders. José María CHIMAL (1808-1875) was a Mexican diplomat who served as ambassador to several countries, including the United States and Spain.

The surname CHIMAL has also been associated with various place names in Mexico, such as Chimalhuacán, a city in the State of Mexico, and Chimalapa, a region in the state of Oaxaca. These place names are believed to have derived from the Nahuatl word "chimal," further reinforcing the connection between the surname and its linguistic origins.

Throughout its history, the CHIMAL surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including artists, writers, diplomats, and more. While its roots can be traced back to the Aztec civilization, the name has endured and spread across Mexico and beyond, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chimal

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

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

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

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