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

Galaz, 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 Galaz surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Galaz in America

Galaz is the 17691st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Galaz surname appeared 1,586 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 Galaz.

We can also compare 2010 data for Galaz 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 Galaz

The surname Galaz has its origins in Spain, specifically in the Basque region. It is derived from the Basque word "galatz," which means "salt." The name likely originated during the medieval period, when salt production and trade were significant economic activities in the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Galaz can be found in the Becerro de las Behetrías de Castilla, a 14th-century census document from the Kingdom of Castile. This document mentions individuals with the surname Galaz residing in various towns and villages in the northern part of Spain.

The name Galaz is also believed to have been associated with certain place names in the Basque region, such as Galaza and Galazaga, which may have contributed to the surname's development and spread.

Among notable historical figures with the surname Galaz, Juan Galaz (1540-1615) stands out as a prominent Spanish soldier and explorer who participated in the conquest of the Philippine Islands. He played a crucial role in the establishment of Spanish control over the archipelago in the late 16th century.

Another notable individual was Pedro Galaz (1670-1745), a Spanish painter known for his religious works and portraits. His paintings can be found in various churches and museums across Spain, particularly in the regions of Andalusia and Extremadura.

In the 19th century, Manuel Galaz (1812-1879) was a Chilean politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and played a significant role in resolving territorial disputes between Chile and neighboring countries.

Juana Galaz (1875-1940), a Mexican educator and feminist, was a pioneer in advocating for women's rights and access to education. She founded several schools and organizations dedicated to promoting literacy and empowering women in Mexico.

Finally, José Galaz (1915-1994) was a renowned Peruvian painter and sculptor whose works were heavily influenced by indigenous Andean cultures and traditions. His artwork is celebrated for its vibrant colors and depictions of Peruvian rural life and landscapes.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the surname Galaz, highlighting its diverse geographical spread and the contributions made by those bearing this name in various fields, including exploration, art, politics, and education.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Galaz

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

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

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

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