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

López-Zavala, 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 López-Zavala surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of López-Zavala in America

López-Zavala is the 147253rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The López-Zavala surname appeared 112 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 López-Zavala.

The history of the last name López-Zavala

The surname LOPEZZAVALA has its origins in Spain, where it emerged during the medieval period. It is a double-barreled surname, combining the paternal and maternal family names of Lopez and Zavala. The first component, Lopez, derives from the Spanish word "lobo," meaning wolf, and was likely a descriptive surname given to someone associated with wolves or wolf-like characteristics.

The second part, Zavala, is a Basque place name referring to a valley or plain, suggesting that the family may have originated from a location bearing that name. This combination of surnames likely occurred through marriage, a common practice among Spanish nobility to consolidate family lines and estates.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name LOPEZZAVALA can be found in the archives of the city of Sevilla, where a certain Juan LOPEZZAVALA is mentioned in a deed dated 1492, during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named Pedro LOPEZZAVALA (1510-1578) was a renowned navigator and explorer who accompanied Hernán Cortés on his expeditions to the Americas. His accounts of the conquest of Mexico provided valuable insights into the indigenous cultures and the early years of Spanish colonization.

During the 17th century, the LOPEZZAVALA family gained prominence in the region of Castilla y León, where they owned substantial land holdings. One member, Diego LOPEZZAVALA (1625-1701), served as a high-ranking official in the court of King Charles II and was known for his patronage of the arts and literature.

In the 18th century, María LOPEZZAVALA (1745-1812) was a celebrated poet and intellectual who was part of the literary circle in Madrid. Her works, often inspired by nature and the beauty of her native Spain, were widely read and admired during her lifetime.

Another notable figure was General Francisco LOPEZZAVALA (1790-1862), a distinguished military leader who played a crucial role in the Peninsular War against the French forces of Napoleon. His strategic leadership and bravery on the battlefield earned him numerous honors and a place in the annals of Spanish military history.

While the LOPEZZAVALA surname has its roots in Spain, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and intermarriage. However, its origins and historical significance remain firmly tied to the rich tapestry of Spanish culture and heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name López-Zavala

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname López-Zavala.

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 López-Zavala 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 López-Zavala was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!