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

DeMenezes, 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 DeMenezes surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of DeMenezes in America

DeMenezes is the 151532nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The DeMenezes surname appeared 108 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 DeMenezes.

The history of the last name DeMenezes

The surname DEMENEZES is of Portuguese origin, tracing its roots back to the late 15th century. It is believed to have originated in the northern regions of Portugal, particularly in areas such as Minho and Douro Litoral. The name is derived from the Portuguese word "menezes," which itself is thought to have evolved from the Latin word "minuciis," meaning "small" or "insignificant."

One of the earliest documented references to the DEMENEZES name can be found in a 16th-century manuscript known as the "Livro de Linhagens" (Book of Lineages), which chronicles the noble families of Portugal. This manuscript mentions a prominent family with the surname DEMENEZES, indicating their noble status and influence during that period.

The first recorded bearer of the DEMENEZES name is believed to be João de Menezes, who lived in the late 15th century and served as a military commander during the Portuguese conquest of Morocco. His exploits and bravery in battle earned him recognition and helped establish the DEMENEZES name as one associated with valor and military prowess.

Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the DEMENEZES surname. One such figure is Pedro de Menezes (1658-1743), a Portuguese nobleman and military officer who served as the Governor of Rio de Janeiro during the early 18th century. His administration was marked by efforts to improve the city's infrastructure and defenses.

Another prominent DEMENEZES was Tomás António de Menezes (1766-1838), a Portuguese diplomat and statesman who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs during the reign of King João VI. He played a crucial role in negotiating treaties and maintaining diplomatic relations with other nations during a turbulent period in Portuguese history.

In the literary realm, Manuel de Menezes (1672-1743) was a renowned Portuguese poet and playwright who made significant contributions to the development of the Portuguese baroque style. His works, such as "O Fenix da Lusitania" (The Phoenix of Lusitania), earned him widespread acclaim and recognition as one of the leading literary figures of his time.

The DEMENEZES surname has also been associated with various place names throughout Portugal. For instance, the town of Menezes, located in the northern region of Portugal, is believed to have derived its name from the DEMENEZES family who held significant influence and land in the area during the medieval period.

While the DEMENEZES name has its roots in Portugal, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly to former Portuguese colonies such as Brazil and parts of Africa, where individuals with this surname can still be found today. However, its rich historical legacy and connections to nobility, military service, and cultural achievements remain firmly rooted in its Portuguese origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name DeMenezes

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

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

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

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