Garrastegui
A Basque surname indicating a place name origin, likely a town called Garrastegui.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Garrastegui. That puts it at #148,347 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Garrastegui 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
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#148,347
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
111
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 111 bearers of the surname Garrastegui in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 148347th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Garrastegui, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 97.3%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Garrastegui
The surname Garrastegui is of Spanish origin, specifically from the Basque region of Spain. It likely originated in the 15th or 16th century. The name is derived from the Basque words "garra," meaning "rock," and "astegi," meaning "place," suggesting that it referred to a rocky place or location.
The earliest recorded instances of the Garrastegui surname can be found in historical records from the Basque Country, such as parish registers and census documents from the 16th and 17th centuries. One of the earliest known individuals with this surname was Martín Garrastegui, who was born in the town of Amoroto in the Basque province of Biscay in 1587.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Garrastegui name was associated with several prominent families from the Basque region. In the town of Azpeitia, the Garrastegui family played a significant role in local politics and held influential positions within the municipal government.
One notable figure from this era was Juan Garrastegui, a merchant and shipowner who lived in the late 17th century. He was involved in the lucrative trade between the Basque ports and the Spanish colonies in the Americas.
In the 18th century, the Garrastegui surname began to spread beyond the Basque Country as some members of the family migrated to other parts of Spain and the Spanish colonies. For example, Pedro Garrastegui, born in 1723, was a military officer who served in the Spanish army and participated in campaigns in the Caribbean.
During the 19th century, several individuals with the Garrastegui surname made significant contributions in various fields. Javier Garrastegui, born in 1802, was a renowned architect who designed several important buildings in Madrid, including the Church of San Andrés.
Another notable figure was María Garrastegui, born in 1845, who was a pioneering educator and advocate for women's education. She founded one of the first schools for girls in the Basque Country.
In the 20th century, the Garrastegui name continued to be prominent in various professions. Francisco Garrastegui, born in 1912, was a celebrated poet and writer who published several collections of poetry and novels that explored themes of Basque identity and culture.
Additionally, José Garrastegui, born in 1936, was a successful businessman and entrepreneur who played a significant role in the development of the Basque industrial sector during the latter half of the 20th century.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Garrastegui
Among Census respondents with the surname Garrastegui, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 97.3%.
The bar chart below shows how Garrastegui 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 Garrastegui surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Hispanic or Latino97.3%
- Unknown or suppressed2.7%
FAQ
Garrastegui surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Garrastegui?
The surname Garrastegui holds position #148,347 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Garrastegui surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Garrastegui, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 97.3%. 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.