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

Hernaiz, 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 Hernaiz surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hernaiz in America

Hernaiz is the 107669th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hernaiz surname appeared 165 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 Hernaiz.

We can also compare 2010 data for Hernaiz 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 Hernaiz

The surname Hernaiz is of Spanish origin, originating in the northern regions of Spain, particularly in the Basque Country and Navarre. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century.

One theory suggests that Hernaiz is derived from the Basque words "herna," meaning "fern," and "iz," signifying a place abundant in ferns or a location near a fern-covered area. This connection with nature and geography is common in many Basque surnames.

Another potential origin lies in the name's similarity to the Basque word "hernai," which means "to grind" or "to mill." This could indicate that the surname was initially associated with individuals involved in milling or grain processing activities.

Historical records from the 15th century mention individuals bearing the Hernaiz surname in various regions of northern Spain. For instance, Juan Hernaiz was a prominent figure in the town of Bilbao in the late 1400s, serving as a local magistrate and landowner.

In the 16th century, the Hernaiz family gained prominence in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, where several members held influential positions within the local government and church. One notable figure was Pedro Hernaiz, a respected lawyer and judge who played a crucial role in resolving legal disputes during the reign of King Philip II.

Moving forward to the 17th century, the Hernaiz name appears in various historical documents related to the Spanish Basque Country and Navarre. Catalina Hernaiz, born in 1624, was a renowned painter whose works adorned several churches and monasteries in the region.

During the 18th century, the Hernaiz family continued to hold a prominent position in Basque society. Juan Antonio Hernaiz, born in 1732, was a celebrated writer and poet who contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of the Basque language and culture.

In the 19th century, the Hernaiz surname spread beyond the Basque regions, with members of the family settling in other parts of Spain and even venturing to Spanish colonies in the Americas. José María Hernaiz, born in 1811, was a renowned explorer and cartographer who mapped vast territories in South America.

While the surname Hernaiz has its roots in the Basque region of Spain, it has since been adopted by families worldwide, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage and a connection to the rugged landscapes of northern Spain.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hernaiz

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

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

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

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