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

Matas, 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 Matas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Matas in America

Matas is the 26189th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Matas surname appeared 934 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 Matas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Matas 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 Matas

The surname MATAS originated in Spain during the late medieval period, likely derived from the Latin word "matta" or "matas," meaning a dense growth or thicket of shrubs or undergrowth. It is believed to have initially been used as a descriptive surname, referring to individuals who lived near or worked in areas with thick vegetation.

In the early 15th century, the surname MATAS can be found in various Spanish records, particularly in the regions of Catalonia and Valencia. One of the earliest recorded instances is Juan Matas, a landowner from the town of Alzira in Valencia, mentioned in a land transfer document dated 1412.

During the 16th century, the MATAS surname gained prominence in the city of Barcelona. Notable individuals from this period include Miquel Matas, a renowned painter and sculptor who lived between 1530 and 1592. His works can still be admired in various churches and museums across Catalonia.

The 17th century saw the spread of the MATAS surname to other parts of Spain and the Spanish colonies in the Americas. In 1638, a record from the Archivo General de Indias in Seville mentions a Juan Matas, a merchant who sailed to the New World and established a trading business in Cartagena de Indias (modern-day Colombia).

In the 18th century, the MATAS surname gained recognition in the field of literature. Francesc Matas (1711-1788), a Catalan poet and playwright, was celebrated for his works in the Catalan language, contributing to the preservation of the region's cultural heritage.

The 19th century witnessed the global spread of the MATAS surname. One notable figure was José Matas (1825-1898), a Cuban-born Spanish military officer who played a significant role in the Spanish-American War. He served as the final Spanish governor of Puerto Rico before the island was ceded to the United States in 1898.

As the MATAS surname continues to be carried by individuals worldwide, it serves as a reminder of its rich Spanish heritage and the diverse paths taken by those who bear this name throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Matas

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

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

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

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