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

Gallarza, 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 Gallarza surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gallarza in America

Gallarza is the 143149th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gallarza surname appeared 116 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 Gallarza.

The history of the last name Gallarza

The surname Gallarza originated in the Basque region of northern Spain and southwestern France. It is believed to have derived from the Basque words "gaillur" meaning peak or summit, and "tza" being a diminutive suffix, thus translating to "little peak" or "small hill." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with people who lived near a prominent hilltop or mountainous area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Gallarza surname can be traced back to the late 15th century, when it appeared in various municipal records and cadastral surveys conducted in the Basque provinces of Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia. These documents often referenced individuals with the name residing in rural villages or small towns nestled within the rugged terrain of the Pyrenees Mountains.

In the 16th century, the Gallarza name gained prominence with the birth of Juan de Gallarza (1501-1578), a renowned Basque architect and stonemason who contributed to the construction of several notable churches and buildings in the region, including the Church of San Sebastián in Somorrostro and the Convent of Santa Clara in Bilbao.

Another noteworthy figure was Pedro de Gallarza (1570-1642), a Basque navigator and explorer who accompanied various expeditions to the Americas during the height of Spanish colonization. Historical accounts mention his participation in the founding of settlements in present-day Venezuela and Colombia.

As the Gallarza family dispersed over the centuries, the name appeared in various spellings such as Galartza, Galarza, and Gallarça, reflecting regional variations and linguistic adaptations. Prominent individuals bearing the name include Andrés de Gallarza (1675-1744), a distinguished military officer who served in the Spanish army during the War of the Spanish Succession, and María Gallarza (1768-1837), a renowned Basque writer and poet whose works were celebrated for their vivid depictions of Basque culture and traditions.

It is worth noting that the Gallarza surname has also been found in other Spanish-speaking regions, likely due to migration patterns, although its origins can be traced back to the Basque Country. Despite its relatively low frequency compared to more common Spanish surnames, the name Gallarza carries a rich historical legacy deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the Basque people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gallarza

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

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

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

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