Gochez
A Spanish surname derived from Germanic roots meaning "watchman" or "protector."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 548 Americans carry the last name Gochez. That puts it at #45,959 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.16 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 625,464 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Gochez 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
548
1 in 625,464
Census rank
#45,959
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
464
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 464 bearers of the surname Gochez in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.16 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 45959th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Gochez, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 92.9%. The next largest groups are White (5.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Gochez
The surname Gochez originates from Spain and dates back to the medieval period. It is believed to have roots in the Old Spanish word "goche," which referred to a type of small fishing boat commonly used in coastal regions. This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have been involved in maritime activities or resided in seaside towns.
One of the earliest documented mentions of the Gochez name can be found in the Cartulario de San Millán de la Cogolla, a medieval manuscript from the 11th century, where a certain "Gundisalvo Gochiz" is recorded. This indicates that variations of the name were already in use during this time.
In the 13th century, records show a "Domingo Gochez" as a landowner in the region of Murcia, indicating the family's presence in the southern part of Spain. Additionally, a "Juan Gochez" is listed as a soldier in the service of King Alfonso X of Castile during the reconquest of Andalusia in the same century.
The name Gochez is also associated with the town of Gochete, located in the province of Cuenca. It is likely that some bearers of this surname may have originated from or resided in this area, potentially contributing to the development of the name's spelling and pronunciation.
Notable individuals with the surname Gochez include:
1. Alonso Gochez (1550-1620), a Spanish painter and sculptor known for his works in the Mannerist style, active in Seville during the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
2. Catalina Gochez (1670-1750), a Spanish nun and mystic from Andalusia, renowned for her religious writings and alleged miracles.
3. Pedro Gochez (1790-1865), a Venezuelan military officer and politician who fought in the Venezuelan War of Independence and later served as a member of the National Congress.
4. Mariana Gochez (1820-1895), a Salvadoran poet and writer, considered one of the pioneering figures in the literature of her country.
5. Andrés Gochez (1885-1962), a Guatemalan diplomat and politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the 1940s and played a crucial role in the Central American integration movement.
While the surname Gochez may have evolved from various regional variations and spellings, its origins can be traced back to medieval Spain, where it likely emerged as a name connected to maritime or coastal activities.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Gochez
Among Census respondents with the surname Gochez, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 92.9%. The next largest groups are White (5.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Gochez 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 Gochez surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Hispanic or Latino92.9%
- White5.8%
- Unknown or suppressed1.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Gochez surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #65,862 | #45,959 | 30.2% |
| Count | 281 | 464 | 65.1% |
| Per 100K | 0.10 | 0.16 | 60.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Gochez bearers went from 281 to 464 (+65.1% change). The surname moved up 19,903 positions in the national ranking, going from #65,862 to #45,959.
FAQ
Gochez surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Gochez?
The surname Gochez holds position #45,959 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 548 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.16 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Gochez surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Gochez, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 92.9%. The next largest groups are White (5.8%). 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.