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

Licea, 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 Licea surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Licea in America

Licea is the 8860th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Licea surname appeared 3,698 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Licea.

We can also compare 2010 data for Licea 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 Licea

The surname Licea has its origins in Spain, emerging in the Iberian Peninsula during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "licium," which referred to a type of thread or cord used for weaving. In the early days, the name may have been associated with individuals involved in the textile industry or related trades.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Licea surname can be found in the Cartulario de Silos, a manuscript dating back to the 11th century. This document contains references to individuals bearing this surname, indicating its presence in the region of Castile during that time.

Historical records also suggest that the Licea name was particularly prevalent in the Basque region of Spain. The town of Licera, located in the province of Álava, may have served as a place of origin for some families bearing this surname, as place names often contributed to the formation of surnames in medieval times.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Sancho Licea was mentioned in the Fuero de Plasencia, a legal code governing the town of Plasencia in Extremadura. This reference provides evidence of the surname's presence in western Spain during that era.

Another notable individual was Diego Licea, a Spanish conquistador who accompanied Hernán Cortés during the conquest of Mexico in the 16th century. His participation in this significant historical event highlights the presence of the Licea surname among the early Spanish explorers and colonists in the Americas.

In the 18th century, a renowned Spanish painter, Antonio Licea, gained recognition for his works, which are now exhibited in various museums across Spain. Born in Murcia in 1720 and dying in 1784, he left a lasting legacy in the art world, showcasing the cultural contributions of individuals bearing this surname.

As the Licea surname spread throughout Spain and its territories, it eventually found its way to other parts of the world through migration and exploration. Today, the name can be found in various Spanish-speaking countries, carrying with it a rich history and cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Licea

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

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

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

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