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

Cruz-Méndez, 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 Cruz-Méndez surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Cruz-Méndez in America

Cruz-Méndez is the 106570th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Cruz-Méndez surname appeared 167 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 Cruz-Méndez.

The history of the last name Cruz-Méndez

The surname CRUZMENDEZ has its origins in the Spanish language and can be traced back to the late medieval period in the Iberian Peninsula. It is a compound surname, formed by the combination of two distinct elements: "Cruz" and "Mendez".

The first part, "Cruz," derives from the Spanish word for "cross," which has its roots in the Latin word "crux." This component likely originated as a descriptive name, referring to an individual who lived near a prominent cross or landmark bearing a cross. Alternatively, it could also have been a name bestowed upon someone who worked in the service of the Church or held a religious position associated with the cross.

The second part, "Mendez," is a patronymic surname, indicating the bearer's lineage. It is derived from the personal name "Mendo," which has its origins in the Germanic name "Ermundus" or "Ermendus." This name was relatively common in medieval Spain and Portugal, particularly among the Visigothic nobility.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname CRUZMENDEZ can be found in the 14th century, when a certain Juan Cruzmendez was mentioned in a document from the town of Seville, in the southern region of Andalusia. This region was a melting pot of cultures and influences, including Roman, Visigothic, and Moorish, which may have contributed to the formation of this unique surname.

Throughout the centuries, the CRUZMENDEZ surname has been associated with several notable individuals. In the 16th century, Diego Cruzmendez (1510-1578) was a renowned Spanish navigator and cartographer who accompanied several expeditions to the Americas and contributed to the mapping of the Pacific coast of South America.

Another prominent figure was María Cruzmendez (1589-1661), a Spanish mystic and nun who founded the Order of the Immaculate Conception in Seville. Her writings on mysticism and spirituality garnered significant attention during her lifetime and beyond.

In the 18th century, Pedro Cruzmendez (1720-1795) was a prominent architect and engineer who oversaw the construction of several important buildings and infrastructure projects in Mexico City during the Spanish colonial era.

In the field of literature, Jorge Cruzmendez (1845-1912) was a renowned Peruvian poet and essayist whose works explored themes of national identity, indigenous culture, and social justice.

Finally, in the 20th century, Mariana Cruzmendez (1912-1998) was a celebrated Mexican artist known for her vibrant and abstract paintings, which often incorporated elements of indigenous Mexican art and symbolism.

While the CRUZMENDEZ surname may not have the same level of historical prominence as some other Spanish surnames, its roots can be traced back to the rich cultural tapestry of medieval Iberia, where diverse influences converged to create unique and enduring names.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Cruz-Méndez

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Cruz-Méndez.

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 Cruz-Méndez 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 Cruz-Méndez was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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