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

Mejía-García, 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 Mejía-García surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mejía-García in America

Mejía-García is the 81772nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mejía-García surname appeared 231 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 Mejía-García.

The history of the last name Mejía-García

The surname "MEJIAGARCIA" has its roots in Spain, originating during the medieval period. It is a compound surname, formed by the combination of two distinct last names – "Mejia" and "Garcia."

The first component, "Mejia," is derived from the Spanish word "mejilla," meaning "cheek." It is believed that this name was initially bestowed upon individuals with distinctive facial features, particularly prominent cheeks. Some historians suggest that it may have also been used as a nickname for bakers or millers, as their profession often involved handling flour and leaving traces on their cheeks.

The second component, "Garcia," is one of the most common Spanish surnames, originating from the ancient Germanic name "Gard-ric," which translates to "wealthy spearman" or "brave with a spear." It was widely adopted during the Visigothic rule in Spain and has since become a prominent surname throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

Historical records indicate that the surname "MEJIAGARCIA" can be traced back to the 15th century, with mentions in various municipal archives and ecclesiastical documents from regions such as Andalusia and Castile. One notable early bearer of this name was Juan Mejiagarcia, a renowned architect who contributed to the construction of several notable buildings in Seville during the late 15th century.

In the 16th century, the surname "MEJIAGARCIA" gained prominence with the exploits of Pedro Mejiagarcia, a Spanish conquistador who participated in the conquest of Peru alongside Francisco Pizarro. His legacy is documented in several chronicles of the era, including those written by historians like Pedro Cieza de León and Garcilaso de la Vega.

During the 17th century, the name "MEJIAGARCIA" was associated with several notable figures in the arts and literature. One such individual was María Mejiagarcia, a celebrated poet and playwright from Madrid, whose works were praised for their lyrical beauty and insightful commentary on societal issues of the time.

In the 18th century, the name "MEJIAGARCIA" was carried by Antonio Mejiagarcia, a renowned cartographer and explorer who played a crucial role in mapping the territories of New Spain (present-day Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States). His detailed maps and observations contributed significantly to the understanding of the geography and indigenous cultures of the region.

As the centuries progressed, the "MEJIAGARCIA" surname continued to be represented across various fields, including the military, politics, and academia. Notably, in the 19th century, General Manuel Mejiagarcia commanded troops during the Mexican-American War, earning recognition for his strategic leadership and bravery on the battlefield.

These are just a few examples of the historical figures who have carried the surname "MEJIAGARCIA" throughout the centuries, showcasing its rich heritage and diverse representation across various aspects of Spanish and Latin American history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mejía-García

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Mejía-García.

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 Mejía-García 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 Mejía-García was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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