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

Higuita, 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 Higuita surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Higuita in America

Higuita is the 140157th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Higuita surname appeared 119 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 Higuita.

The history of the last name Higuita

The surname Higuita is of Spanish origin, originating in the regions of Spain and later spreading to parts of Central and South America. It is believed to have derived from the word "higuera," which means "fig tree" in Spanish. The name may have been initially given as a descriptive surname to someone who lived near or worked with fig trees.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Higuita can be found in the 16th century Spanish records, where it was spelled in various forms, such as "Higuera" or "Iguera." The variation "Higuita" emerged as a diminutive form, indicating a smaller fig tree or a connection to someone associated with fig trees.

In the late 16th century, the name Higuita appeared in the Spanish chronicles documenting the colonization of the Americas. These records mention individuals with this surname who participated in the exploration and settlement of the New World, particularly in regions like Colombia and Venezuela.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname Higuita was Juan de Higuita, a Spanish conquistador who participated in the conquest of Colombia in the mid-16th century. He was part of the expeditions led by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada and played a role in the establishment of the city of Santa Fe de Bogotá.

Another prominent individual was Pedro de Higuita, a Spanish soldier and explorer who accompanied Hernán Cortés in the conquest of Mexico in the early 16th century. He participated in several battles and was involved in the subjugation of the Aztec Empire.

In the 17th century, the name Higuita appeared in the records of the Spanish colonies in South America, particularly in regions like Colombia and Venezuela. One notable figure from this period was Francisca de Higuita, a landowner and influential member of the colonial society in Cartagena, Colombia, in the late 17th century.

As the Spanish colonization progressed, the surname Higuita spread across various regions of South America, particularly in Colombia, where it has become a relatively common surname today. Several notable individuals have carried this surname, including:

1. René Higuita (born 1966), a Colombian former professional footballer and considered one of the most talented goalkeepers in the history of Colombian soccer.

2. María Higuita (born 1979), a Colombian singer and songwriter known for her work in the Latin pop and rock genres.

3. Juan Pablo Higuita (born 1990), a Colombian professional cyclist who has participated in Grand Tour events like the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España.

The surname Higuita has maintained its presence throughout the centuries, with its roots firmly established in Spanish and Latin American cultures, reflecting the legacy of the early Spanish colonization and settlement in the Americas.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Higuita

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

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

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

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