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

Gopez, 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 Gopez surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gopez in America

Gopez is the 68949th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gopez surname appeared 285 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 Gopez.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gopez 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 Gopez

The surname Gopez is believed to have originated in Spain. It is thought to have derived from the Spanish word "gopa," which means "hood" or "cowl." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with someone who produced or sold hoods or cowls, or perhaps someone who wore a distinctive hood or cowl.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Gopez can be traced back to the 15th century in various regions of Spain, such as Andalusia and Castile. Some historical records from that period mention individuals with the surname Gopez, although their specific identities and occupations are not always clear.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, as Spain expanded its colonies in the Americas and other parts of the world, the Gopez surname likely spread to various regions along with Spanish settlers and explorers. However, specific details about the migration patterns of individuals bearing this surname are scarce.

One notable individual with the surname Gopez was Diego Gopez, a Spanish explorer who accompanied Hernán Cortés during the conquest of Mexico in the early 16th century. Diego Gopez played a role in several battles and expeditions, though his exact birth and death dates are uncertain.

Another historical figure with the Gopez surname was María Gopez, a Spanish noblewoman who lived in the 17th century. She was known for her philanthropic efforts and her support of various religious and charitable organizations in her region.

In the 18th century, there was a prominent family with the surname Gopez in the city of Seville, Spain. This family was involved in the production and trade of textiles, particularly silk and wool. One member of this family, Juan Gopez, was a successful merchant and landowner who lived from 1712 to 1789.

During the 19th century, the Gopez surname can be found in various parts of Spain, as well as in some Spanish colonies in the Americas. For example, there are records of a family with the surname Gopez residing in Cuba during this period.

As the Gopez surname spread across different regions and countries, various spelling variations emerged, such as Gópez, Gopés, and Gopiz. However, the original Spanish spelling of Gopez remained the most common form.

While not an exhaustive list, these examples provide an overview of the historical presence and possible origins of the surname Gopez, which has its roots in Spain and has been carried by individuals throughout various periods and regions over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gopez

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

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

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

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