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

DeMendoza, 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 DeMendoza surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of DeMendoza in America

DeMendoza is the 132206th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The DeMendoza surname appeared 128 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 DeMendoza.

The history of the last name DeMendoza

The surname DEMENDOZA is of Spanish origin, first appearing in the 8th century during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula. It is derived from the Arabic phrase "al-manāẓir," which translates to "the sights" or "the views," suggesting a connection to scenic landscapes or vantage points.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the "Cartulario de Eslonza," a medieval manuscript from the 10th century, which mentions a landowner named Alvaro de Mendoza in the region of León. The name later spread to other parts of Spain, with variations in spelling such as "Mendoza" and "Mendosa."

During the Reconquista, the de Mendoza family played a prominent role in the Christian conquest of Moorish territories. One notable figure was Íñigo López de Mendoza, 1st Marquis of Santillana (1398-1458), a renowned poet and military leader who fought against the Moors and contributed significantly to the development of Spanish literature.

Another influential member of the de Mendoza family was Pedro González de Mendoza (1428-1495), a Catholic cardinal and statesman who served as the Grand Cardinal of Spain under the reign of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. He played a crucial role in the Spanish Inquisition and the expulsion of Jews and Muslims from Spain.

In the 16th century, Juan de Mendoza y Luna (1490-1564), a Spanish diplomat and military officer, gained recognition for his service as the Viceroy of New Spain (present-day Mexico) from 1535 to 1550. He was instrumental in the exploration and colonization of the Americas.

The de Mendoza name also has a strong connection to the wine industry. In the 19th century, Rafael Arroyo de Mendoza (1835-1911) established one of the first wineries in the Rioja region of Spain, laying the foundation for the region's renowned wine production.

Throughout history, the surname DEMENDOZA has been associated with nobility, military prowess, literary achievements, and significant contributions to Spanish culture and exploration. While its origins can be traced back to the Moorish era, the name has endured and continues to hold a prominent place in Spanish heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name DeMendoza

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

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

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

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