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

Mart�nez-Mej�a, 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 Mart�nez-Mej�a surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mart�nez-Mej�a in America

Mart�nez-Mej�a is the 142108th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mart�nez-Mej�a surname appeared 117 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 Mart�nez-Mej�a.

The history of the last name Mart�nez-Mej�a

The surname MARTINEZMEJIA has its origins in Spain, tracing back to the 15th century during the era of Spanish colonization and exploration. It is a compound surname, combining the patronymic Martinez, derived from the personal name Martin, and the topographic name Mejia, referring to a specific locality or region.

The first component, Martinez, is a widespread surname in Spanish-speaking countries, indicating descent from an ancestor named Martin. This name has its roots in the Latin name Martinus, which was derived from the name of the Roman god Mars, the god of war. The patronymic suffix "-ez" was added to indicate "son of," forming the surname Martinez, meaning "son of Martin."

The second component, Mejia, is believed to have originated from the Arabic word "mudhaiya," meaning "small village" or "hamlet." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who hailed from a particular village or region within Spain or one of its former territories.

Historical records indicate that the surname MARTINEZMEJIA appeared in various manuscripts and documents related to Spanish exploration and settlement in the Americas. One notable example is Juan Martinez Mejia, a Spanish conquistador who participated in the conquest of Mexico alongside Hernán Cortés in the early 16th century.

Another prominent figure bearing this surname was Pedro Martinez Mejia, a Spanish soldier and explorer who accompanied Francisco Pizarro during the conquest of Peru in the 1530s. He played a significant role in the subjugation of the Inca Empire and the establishment of Spanish rule in the region.

In the 17th century, a notable person named Alonso Martinez Mejia was a Spanish cleric and historian who authored a chronicle documenting the early history of the Spanish presence in the Philippines.

During the 18th century, Francisco Martinez Mejia was a Spanish military officer who served as the Governor of Puerto Rico from 1788 to 1789, overseeing the administration of the island during a crucial period of Spanish colonial rule.

In the 19th century, José Martinez Mejia was a Mexican politician and military leader who played a prominent role in the Mexican-American War, serving as a general in the Mexican army.

As the surname spread across Spanish-speaking regions, it underwent variations in spelling and pronunciation, reflecting the influence of local dialects and linguistic adaptations. However, the core elements of Martinez and Mejia have remained intact, preserving the name's historical significance and cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mart�nez-Mej�a

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Mart�nez-Mej�a.

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 Mart�nez-Mej�a 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 Mart�nez-Mej�a was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Mart�nez-Mej�a, please contact us.

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