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

Gancayco, 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 Gancayco surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gancayco in America

Gancayco is the 160975th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gancayco surname appeared 100 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 Gancayco.

The history of the last name Gancayco

The surname Gancayco originated in the Philippines, likely in the late 16th or early 17th century during the Spanish colonial period. It has roots in the Visayan languages spoken in the central Philippine islands, where the name may have derived from words related to agricultural practices or specific crops.

One theory suggests that Gancayco is a combination of the Visayan words "ganco" (meaning hook or curved instrument) and "cayco" (referring to a type of plant or crop), potentially indicating a connection to farming tools or methods. However, the exact etymology remains uncertain due to the lack of detailed historical records from that time.

While there are no known references to the name Gancayco in ancient manuscripts or documents like the Domesday Book, some of the earliest recorded instances can be found in Spanish colonial records and church registries from the Philippines in the late 1600s and early 1700s.

One notable individual bearing the surname was Andres Gancayco, a Filipino revolutionary who fought against Spanish colonial rule in the late 19th century. He was born in 1867 and played a significant role in the Katipunan movement, which aimed to secure Philippine independence.

Another prominent figure was Francisco Gancayco, a Filipino painter and sculptor who lived from 1881 to 1965. He is renowned for his works depicting Philippine culture and traditions, including religious themes and landscapes.

In the literary world, Gemma Gancayco (1916-2005) was a celebrated Filipino writer and poet. Her works, such as "Sanghaya" and "Pagsulat ng Anino," explored themes of identity, social justice, and the Filipino experience.

Historically, the surname Gancayco may have had variations in spelling due to the influence of Spanish orthography and the lack of standardized transliteration from native Philippine languages. Some potential variations could include Gancaico, Gancaygo, or Gancaygo.

Furthermore, the Gancayco surname has been associated with specific locations or place names within the Philippines, particularly in the Visayan region, where the name likely originated. However, records detailing the precise geographic origins are limited.

It is worth noting that while the surname Gancayco is relatively uncommon globally, it remains a recognizable name within the Filipino diaspora and among communities of Philippine descent around the world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gancayco

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

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

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

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