Fortuno
A surname derived from the Latin fortuna meaning "luck" or "chance".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 343 Americans carry the last name Fortuno. That puts it at #68,770 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.10 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 999,284 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Fortuno surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
343
1 in 999,284
Census rank
#68,770
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
286
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 286 bearers of the surname Fortuno in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 68770th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Fortuno, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 43.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (37.1%) and White (14.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Fortuno
The surname Fortuno is of Spanish origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval era. The name is believed to have derived from the Latin word "Fortunatus," meaning "fortunate" or "lucky." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive surname given to someone perceived as fortunate or blessed with good luck.
In the early Middle Ages, the Iberian Peninsula was under Moorish rule, and many surnames were influenced by Arabic culture. The name Fortuno could have been a variant of the Arabic name "Furtun," which also carried connotations of fortune and prosperity.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Fortuno surname can be found in the 11th century, during the reign of King Alfonso VI of León and Castile. Historical records from this period mention a nobleman named Pedro Fortuno, who held considerable influence in the court.
The Fortuno surname was particularly prevalent in the regions of Aragón and Catalonia, where it was often associated with noble families and landowners. In the 13th century, a branch of the Fortuno family settled in the town of Fortuny, near Tarragona, leading to the variant spelling "Fortuny."
Notable individuals bearing the Fortuno or Fortuny surname include:
1. Mariano Fortuny (1838-1874), a Spanish painter and etcher renowned for his Orientalist works and innovative printmaking techniques.
2. Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo (1871-1949), a Spanish fashion designer and inventor, best known for his pleated silk "Delphos" gown and innovative lighting systems.
3. Pedro Fortuny (fl. 1470-1490), a Spanish composer and singer during the Renaissance period, known for his sacred and secular works.
4. Joaquín Fortuno (1909-1988), a Spanish painter and illustrator, celebrated for his vibrant depictions of Spanish folk life and traditions.
5. Francisco Fortuny (fl. 1590-1610), a Spanish playwright and poet who contributed to the Golden Age of Spanish literature.
Over the centuries, the Fortuno surname has spread across Spain and Spanish-speaking regions, with variations in spelling and pronunciation emerging in different areas. However, its origins can be traced back to the medieval Iberian Peninsula, where it was associated with notions of fortune, prosperity, and nobility.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Fortuno
Among Census respondents with the surname Fortuno, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 43.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (37.1%) and White (14.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Fortuno bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Fortuno surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Asian and Pacific Islander43.7%
- Hispanic or Latino37.1%
- White14.7%
- Two or more races2.5%
- Black or African American2.1%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Fortuno surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #68,770 | #68,770 | 0.0% |
| Count | 286 | 286 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Fortuno bearers went from 286 to 286 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #68,770 to #68,770.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Fortuno
FAQ
Fortuno surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Fortuno?
The surname Fortuno holds position #68,770 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 343 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Fortuno surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Fortuno, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 43.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (37.1%) and White (14.7%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.