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

Demeza, 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 Demeza surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Demeza in America

Demeza is the 80131st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Demeza surname appeared 237 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 Demeza.

We can also compare 2010 data for Demeza 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 Demeza

The surname DEMEZA has its origins in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in the regions of Spain and Portugal. It is believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 12th or 13th century. The name is derived from the Spanish word "meza," which means "table" or "plateau," likely referring to a geographical feature or a location where the earliest bearers of the name resided.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the DEMEZA surname can be found in the Catalonian region of Spain. In a historical document from the 14th century, a record mentions a nobleman named Rodrigo de Meza, who was granted land and titles by the Crown for his military service. This suggests that the name was already well-established among the Iberian nobility during that period.

Another notable figure from history bearing the DEMEZA surname was Juan de Meza, a Spanish conquistador who accompanied Hernán Cortés in the conquest of Mexico in the early 16th century. De Meza played a significant role in the subjugation of the Aztec Empire and was later rewarded with land grants in the New World.

In the 17th century, a Portuguese explorer named António de Meza explored parts of South America and documented his travels in a manuscript titled "Relação da Viagem à Terra do Brasil" (Account of the Voyage to the Land of Brazil). This work provides valuable insights into the early Portuguese colonization efforts in the region.

The DEMEZA surname also has a connection to the Spanish Inquisition. Records from the 16th and 17th centuries mention several individuals with this name who were interrogated or prosecuted by the Inquisition for alleged religious offenses, reflecting the tumultuous times of religious intolerance in Spain and Portugal.

Another noteworthy figure was Miguel de Meza, a Spanish military officer who served as the governor of the Philippine Islands from 1668 to 1670. His tenure was marked by efforts to strengthen the Spanish colonial presence in the region and defend against external threats.

While the DEMEZA surname originated in the Iberian Peninsula, it has since spread to various parts of the world through migration and colonial expansion. However, its roots remain deeply embedded in the rich history and cultural heritage of Spain and Portugal.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Demeza

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

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

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

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