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

Fortiz, 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 Fortiz surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fortiz in America

Fortiz is the 114424th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fortiz surname appeared 153 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 Fortiz.

We can also compare 2010 data for Fortiz 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 Fortiz

The surname FORTIZ is of Spanish origin, with its roots tracing back to the early 16th century. It is believed to have originated in the region of Castile, where it was derived from the Spanish word "fuerte," meaning "strong" or "fortified." This connection suggests that the name was likely attributed to individuals who possessed a robust physical stature or lived in a well-fortified area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the FORTIZ surname can be found in the archives of Seville, Spain, where a document dated 1528 mentions a certain Diego FORTIZ, a merchant involved in the thriving trade between Spain and its colonies in the Americas. This reference provides insight into the name's antiquity and its presence in prominent commercial centers of the time.

During the 17th century, the FORTIZ surname gained notable recognition through the exploits of Juan FORTIZ, a Spanish conquistador who accompanied the legendary explorer Hernán Cortés on his expeditions to the Americas. Juan FORTIZ was born in Seville around 1590 and played a significant role in the conquest of Mexico, earning a reputation for his bravery and military prowess.

Another notable figure bearing the FORTIZ surname was Alonso FORTIZ, a renowned architect and engineer who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Alonso FORTIZ was responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of several fortifications and defensive structures throughout Spain, solidifying the connection between the surname and the concept of strength and fortification.

In the realm of literature, the FORTIZ name found representation in the works of Miguel de Cervantes, the celebrated author of "Don Quixote." In his famous novel, Cervantes mentions a character named Pedro FORTIZ, a wealthy nobleman from Seville, further cementing the surname's association with the region and its prominence among the Spanish aristocracy.

Another notable figure was María FORTIZ, a renowned physician and scholar who lived in the late 15th century. Born in Toledo, Spain, María FORTIZ gained recognition for her expertise in medicine and her contributions to the advancement of medical knowledge during the Renaissance era. Her works on various medical topics were widely circulated and influential in her time.

While the FORTIZ surname has its origins in Spain, it has since spread to various parts of the world, particularly to Latin American countries, where it continues to be a prominent surname. However, the focus of this report remains on the historical roots and significance of the name within the Spanish context.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fortiz

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

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

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

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