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

Fuentes, 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 Fuentes surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fuentes in America

Fuentes is the 144141st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fuentes surname appeared 115 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 Fuentes.

The history of the last name Fuentes

The surname FUENTS is of Spanish origin, with its roots traced back to the 14th century. The name is believed to have originated from the Spanish word "fuente," which translates to "fountain" or "spring." This connection suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have lived near a prominent fountain or water source.

In the early centuries, surnames were often derived from geographical locations, occupations, or physical characteristics. The name FUENTS could have been given to individuals who resided near a notable fountain or spring, or it may have referred to those who worked as water carriers or well-builders.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the FUENTS surname can be found in the Libro de la Nobleza y Rememoración de España (Book of Nobility and Remembrance of Spain), a 15th-century manuscript that documented the genealogies of noble Spanish families. This text mentions a Don Juan de FUENTS, who was a knight and landowner in the region of Andalusia.

During the 16th century, the FUENTS surname began to appear more frequently in historical records, particularly in the regions of Castile and Aragon. Notable figures from this period include Pedro de FUENTS, a renowned architect who contributed to the construction of several churches and monasteries in Toledo, and Juana de FUENTS, a celebrated playwright and poet who was recognized for her contributions to the Golden Age of Spanish literature.

In the 17th century, the FUENTS name gained prominence with the birth of Diego de FUENTS y Guzmán (1598-1670), a Spanish military commander and diplomat who served as the Viceroy of New Spain (present-day Mexico) from 1642 to 1648. His tenure was marked by significant reforms and infrastructure developments in the colonial territories.

Another prominent figure bearing the FUENTS surname was Manuel de FUENTS (1724-1798), a Spanish philosopher and theologian who was widely regarded as one of the leading intellectuals of the Spanish Enlightenment. His works on ethics, metaphysics, and religious philosophy greatly influenced the academic discourse of his time.

As the centuries progressed, the FUENTS surname continued to spread across Spain and its colonial territories, with various branches and variations emerging, such as FUENTES, FUENTEZ, and FUENTIS. The name's association with water sources and its historical ties to noble families and influential figures have contributed to its enduring legacy and cultural significance within Spanish-speaking communities.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fuentes

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

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 Fuentes 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.

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

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

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