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

Cruces, 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 Cruces surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Cruces in America

Cruces is the 33316th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Cruces surname appeared 686 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 Cruces.

We can also compare 2010 data for Cruces 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 Cruces

The surname CRUCES has its origins in Spain and dates back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "crux," meaning "cross," which was a common symbol used in Christian iconography during that time. The name may have been initially given to individuals who lived near a prominent cross or whose occupation was associated with the cross or the church.

In the early days, the CRUCES surname was found in various regions of Spain, particularly in the areas around Toledo, Seville, and Valencia. The name appeared in several historical records, including the Cartularios de la Catedral de Toledo, which documented land transactions and other official matters in the 13th and 14th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the CRUCES surname can be traced back to the year 1212, when a certain Pedro de las Cruces was mentioned in a document from the city of Toledo. This document detailed the transfer of property ownership, suggesting that Pedro de las Cruces was a landowner or a person of some prominence.

During the 15th century, the CRUCES surname gained further recognition with the birth of Alonso de Cruces (c. 1450 - c. 1515), a Spanish theologian and philosopher. He was known for his work on moral philosophy and his contributions to the intellectual debates of his time.

Another notable figure with the CRUCES surname was Bartolomé de las Casas y Cruces (1484 - 1566), a Spanish historian, philosopher, and Dominican friar. He is widely regarded as one of the earliest advocates for the rights of indigenous peoples in the Americas, and his writings played a significant role in shaping the debate over the treatment of Native Americans during the Spanish colonization.

In the 17th century, the CRUCES surname was associated with Juan de Cruces (c. 1620 - c. 1690), a Spanish painter known for his religious works and portraits. His paintings can be found in various churches and collections throughout Spain, showcasing his artistic talents and contribution to the art world.

Towards the end of the 18th century, the CRUCES surname gained prominence in the literary world with the birth of Ramón de la Cruz y Cano (1731 - 1794), a Spanish playwright and poet. He is considered one of the most important figures in the development of the Spanish theater and is particularly renowned for his satirical works and comedies.

Throughout history, the CRUCES surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scholars, theologians, and landowners. While the name may have originated from a religious or geographical association, it has evolved to represent a rich cultural heritage and a diverse set of accomplishments across different fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Cruces

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

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

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

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