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

Gonzales, 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 Gonzales surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Gonzales in America

Gonzales is the 147095th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gonzales surname appeared 103 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Gonzales.

The history of the last name Gonzales

The surname GONALES originates from the Iberian Peninsula, specifically from Spain. The earliest documentation of the surname dates back to the late medieval period, around the 13th century. The name is believed to have regional roots in the provinces of Castile and León, areas that were instrumental in the Reconquista efforts against the Moors.

Etymologically, GONALES appears to be derived from the patronymic tradition, possibly originating from the Old Spanish given name Gonzalo. Gonzalo itself is rooted in the Visigothic name Gundisalv, composed of the elements "gund" meaning "war" and "salv" meaning "safe." Over time, variations and corruptions in spelling due to local dialects and linguistic shifts gave rise to the surname GONALES.

Historical references to the surname can be found in several medieval manuscripts. For instance, the name appears in the 14th-century Castilian archival records. A notable figure is Juan de Gonzáles, a knight who participated in the battles of the Reconquista. Although the exact spelling varied, such as Gonsales or Gonzales, these references highlight the prominence of the name in the region.

Another notable individual is Ruy González de Clavijo, born in the late 14th century, who was an ambassador to Timur's court. While his surname is slightly different, the root "González" suggests a close etymological kinship with GONALES, further indicating the name's historical depth and regional significance.

Famed Renaissance writer and dramatist, Rodrigo Gonsálvez, active in the early 16th century, bore a surname that shares a pronounced similarity to GONALES. He hailed from Salamanca and contributed significantly to the cultural fabric of Spain during his time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the precise surname GONALES dates back to 1527, with the birth of Diego Gónales in Valladolid. Diego served in the Spanish military campaigns in Italy and later received a commendation for his service from King Charles V.

In the early 17th century, María Gonales, born in Seville in 1603, gained renown for her philanthropic efforts and work with religious institutions. Her contributions to the community were recorded in ecclesiastical documents, marking her as a significant historical figure carrying the surname GONALES.

The evolution of the surname through various spellings and forms over centuries—from Gonzalo to Gonzales, to the more distinct GONALES—illustrates its enduring presence in Spanish history and culture. These examples reinforce the name’s rich heritage and its lasting influence across several generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gonzales

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Gonzales 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 Gonzales was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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