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

Espada, 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 Espada surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Espada in America

Espada is the 13509th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Espada surname appeared 2,245 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Espada.

We can also compare 2010 data for Espada 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 Espada

The surname Espada originates from Spain, with its earliest records dating back to the 15th century. It is derived from the Spanish word "espada," which means sword. This name likely originated from a person who was skilled in swordsmanship or may have been a swordsmith by trade.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Espada can be found in the historical archives of the city of Sevilla, where a certain Juan Espada was mentioned as a resident in the year 1492. This coincides with the year when Christopher Columbus set sail on his famous voyage to the Americas, suggesting that the Espada name has deep roots in Spanish history.

In the 16th century, the Espada name appeared in various records throughout Spain, including in the town of Cadiz, where a prominent family with the surname Espada resided. During this period, the name was also sometimes spelled as "Espada de la Calle," which translates to "Sword of the Street," possibly indicating a connection to a renowned swordsman or a street named after swords.

Historically, the Espada name has been associated with military prowess and valor. One notable individual was Captain Hernán Espada, who served in the Spanish Armada during the late 16th century. He is recorded as having participated in several naval battles against the English, demonstrating the bravery often associated with the Espada name.

Another significant figure was Don Pedro Espada, born in 1654 in Madrid. He was a renowned scholar and philosopher who authored several influential works on ethics and moral philosophy during the Spanish Golden Age. His writings were widely circulated throughout Europe and helped shape the intellectual discourse of the time.

In the 18th century, the Espada name gained prominence in the Americas, particularly in Mexico. One notable individual was Doña Maria Espada, born in 1732 in Veracruz, who was a prominent landowner and philanthropist. She was instrumental in the establishment of several charitable organizations and educational institutions in the region.

Throughout history, the Espada surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, writers, and politicians. However, the name has consistently been associated with strength, courage, and a connection to the noble art of swordsmanship, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Spain.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Espada

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

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

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

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