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

Cholula, 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 Cholula surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Cholula in America

Cholula is the 38582nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Cholula surname appeared 573 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 Cholula.

We can also compare 2010 data for Cholula 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 Cholula

The surname Cholula has its origins in Mexico, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 16th century during the Spanish conquest of the region. The name is believed to be derived from the Nahuatl word "Cholōllan," which refers to the ancient city of Cholula located in the state of Puebla. This city was an important ceremonial and religious center for the Mesoamerican cultures, particularly the Toltecs and the Aztecs.

Cholula was one of the earliest and most significant urban settlements in pre-Columbian Mexico, with a rich history dating back to the 3rd century BCE. The city was renowned for its impressive Great Pyramid of Cholula, which was the largest pyramid in the world by volume until the construction of the Great Pyramid of Cholula in Egypt. The city's name and its association with this iconic pyramid likely contributed to the emergence of the surname Cholula among the local population.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Cholula can be found in the historical records of the Spanish colonial administration in Mexico. Juan Cholula, a prominent figure in the early colonial era, was born in 1530 and played a crucial role as an interpreter and intermediary between the Spanish authorities and the indigenous population.

Another notable individual bearing the surname Cholula was María Cholula, born in 1575, who was recognized for her contributions to the preservation of indigenous traditions and cultural practices in the face of Spanish colonization. Her efforts helped to ensure the survival of various aspects of Mesoamerican culture during a period of significant upheaval and change.

In the 17th century, the name Cholula gained further prominence with the birth of Pedro Cholula (1620-1685), a celebrated artist and sculptor who played a pivotal role in the development of the Mexican baroque style. His works, which adorned many churches and public buildings throughout the region, are considered significant examples of the blending of European and indigenous artistic traditions.

The 19th century saw the emergence of another prominent figure with the surname Cholula, José María Cholula (1810-1892), a renowned political activist and advocate for indigenous rights. He played a crucial role in the struggle for Mexican independence and the subsequent efforts to establish a more equitable society for the nation's indigenous populations.

Throughout its history, the surname Cholula has been closely associated with the ancient city of the same name and its rich cultural heritage. While the name may have evolved and adapted over the centuries, it continues to carry the weight of its storied past and serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Mesoamerican civilization.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Cholula

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

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

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

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