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

Gerra, 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 Gerra surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gerra in America

Gerra is the 73464th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gerra surname appeared 264 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 Gerra.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gerra 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 Gerra

The surname Gerra originated in Spain, with roots stretching back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Spanish word "guerra," meaning "war," indicating that the name's earliest bearers may have been warriors or soldiers. This connection to military service is further supported by the presence of the name in historical records from the Reconquista, when Christian kingdoms fought to retake the Iberian Peninsula from Moorish rule.

One of the earliest documented instances of the Gerra name can be found in the Catalan region of Spain, specifically in the town of Girona. Historical records from the 12th century mention a prominent family bearing this surname, suggesting their influential role in the local community.

In the 14th century, during the reign of King Pedro IV of Aragon, a notable figure named Juan de Gerra was a trusted advisor to the monarch. His loyalty and strategic counsel were highly valued, leading to his name being immortalized in various chronicles of that era.

As the Gerra family expanded across Spain, variations in spelling emerged, with forms such as Guerra and Guera appearing in different regions. This diversity in spellings is common for surnames that have survived over centuries and across different linguistic regions.

Notably, the name Gerra found its way into the annals of Spanish literature and history. One of the most famous bearers of this surname was Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra's fictional character, Don Quixote's faithful squire, Sancho Panza Gerra, who played a pivotal role in the iconic novel "Don Quixote."

Beyond Spain, the Gerra name also spread to the Spanish colonies in the Americas. In the 16th century, a renowned explorer named Juan de Gerra led expeditions to the Caribbean and Central America, leaving his mark on the region's colonial history.

Throughout the centuries, the Gerra surname has been associated with a diverse array of notable individuals, including artists, writers, and military leaders. One such figure was Antonio Gerra, a celebrated painter from the 17th century, whose masterful works adorned the walls of churches and palaces across Spain.

In the 19th century, a passionate revolutionary named Maria Gerra played a significant role in the Spanish struggle for independence, her bravery and dedication earning her a place in the annals of the nation's fight for freedom.

As the name Gerra echoed through the ages, it continued to carry the weight of its storied past, reflecting the courage, resilience, and cultural richness of its bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gerra

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

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

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

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