Lucero
A Spanish surname derived from the Latin word "lucerna," meaning "lamp" or "light," referring to a lamp maker.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 46,477 Americans carry the last name Lucero. That puts it at #865 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 13.56 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 7,375 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Lucero surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
46K
1 in 7,375
Census rank
#865
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
13.6
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
40K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 39,986 bearers of the surname Lucero in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 13.56 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 865th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Lucero, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 82.4%. The next largest groups are White (11.1%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (2.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Lucero
The surname Lucero has its origins in Spain, where it emerged during the medieval period. It is derived from the Spanish word "lucero," which translates to "morning star" or "Venus." This connection to celestial bodies suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon individuals with a fascination for astronomy or those born under the light of the morning star.
The earliest recorded instances of the Lucero surname can be traced back to the 13th century in various regions of Spain, including Andalusia, Castile, and Aragon. During this time, the name appeared in various historical documents, such as land grants, tax records, and legal proceedings, indicating its widespread use across the Iberian Peninsula.
In the 14th century, the Lucero family gained prominence in the Kingdom of Aragon, where they held positions of authority and influence. One notable figure was Juan Lucero, a respected scholar and diplomat who served as an ambassador to the court of King Alfonso V of Aragon in the early 15th century.
As the Spanish empire expanded across the Atlantic, the Lucero surname traveled with the conquistadors and settlers to the Americas. In the 16th century, Juan Lucero de Godoy, a Spanish explorer and colonist, played a pivotal role in the establishment of the city of Cuzco in Peru, which became an important center of Spanish colonial rule.
During the 17th century, the Lucero surname gained recognition in Mexico, where several individuals bearing this name held significant positions within the Catholic Church. One such figure was Fray Diego Lucero, a Franciscan friar and missionary who dedicated his life to the evangelization of indigenous populations in the northern regions of New Spain (present-day Mexico).
In the 19th century, the Lucero family left its mark in the world of literature with the renowned Spanish writer and poet Tomás Lucero (1818-1891). His works, which often celebrated the beauty of the Spanish countryside and its people, earned him critical acclaim and a place among the notable literary figures of his time.
Over the centuries, the Lucero surname has spread across various regions of the world, carried by individuals of Spanish descent. While its origins can be traced back to Spain, the name has become a part of the cultural tapestry of many nations, reflecting the richness and diversity of the Hispanic heritage.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Lucero
Among Census respondents with the surname Lucero, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 82.4%. The next largest groups are White (11.1%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (2.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Lucero bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Lucero surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Hispanic or Latino82.4%
- White11.1%
- American Indian and Alaska Native2.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander2.7%
- Two or more races0.7%
- Black or African American0.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Lucero surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #865 | #865 | 0.0% |
| Count | 39,986 | 39,986 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 13.56 | 13.56 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Lucero bearers went from 39,986 to 39,986 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #865 to #865.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Lucero
FAQ
Lucero surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Lucero?
The surname Lucero holds position #865 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 46,477 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 13.56 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Lucero surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Lucero, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 82.4%. The next largest groups are White (11.1%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (2.9%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.