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

Dias, 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 Dias surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dias in America

Dias is the 2266th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dias surname appeared 16,044 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 5 people would have the surname Dias.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dias 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 Dias

The surname Dias has its origins in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Portugal and Spain. It emerged during the Middle Ages, derived from the Latin word "dies," meaning "day." The name was likely initially given as a personal name, possibly referring to someone born on a specific day or associated with a particular religious feast day.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Dias can be found in the "Livro Velho de Linhagens" (Old Book of Lineages), a medieval Portuguese manuscript dating back to the 13th century. This document mentions several individuals bearing the name Dias, indicating its widespread use in Portugal during that period.

In Spain, the surname Dias is closely linked to the region of Galicia, where it is believed to have originated. The earliest known reference to the name in Spain can be traced back to the 12th century, appearing in various historical documents from that era.

Dias is also associated with several notable figures throughout history. One prominent individual was Bartolomeu Dias (c. 1450-1500), a Portuguese explorer who became the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa, known as the Cape of Good Hope. His pioneering voyage in 1488 paved the way for the eventual establishment of a sea route to India.

Another notable figure was Gonçalo Dias (c. 1420-1475), a Portuguese nobleman and military commander who played a crucial role in the conquest of Alcácer Ceguer in North Africa during the reign of King Afonso V of Portugal.

In the realm of literature, Gomes Dias (c. 1460-1540), a Portuguese poet and playwright, gained recognition for his works such as the play "Tragédia de Inês de Castro" (Tragedy of Inês de Castro).

Additionally, Aleixo Dias (c. 1570-1662), a Portuguese Jesuit missionary and explorer, made significant contributions to the exploration of the Amazon region in Brazil during the 17th century.

Finally, Manuel Dias (c. 1550-1613), a Portuguese architect and military engineer, left his mark on various fortifications and architectural works in Portugal, including the Fortress of São Julião da Barra in Lisbon.

The surname Dias has a rich history spanning centuries, with its roots firmly planted in the Iberian Peninsula. Its bearers have left an indelible mark on various fields, including exploration, literature, military endeavors, and architecture, contributing to the cultural and historical tapestry of Portugal and Spain.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dias

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

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

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

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