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

Melegrito, 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 Melegrito surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Melegrito in America

Melegrito is the 119508th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Melegrito surname appeared 145 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 Melegrito.

The history of the last name Melegrito

The surname Melegrito originates from the Philippines, where it first appeared in historical records during the 16th century. It is derived from the Spanish words "miel" meaning honey and "grito" meaning shout or cry, possibly referring to a loud or energetic person with a sweet disposition.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Melegrito can be found in the Spanish colonial records of the Philippines from the 1500s. These documents mention several individuals with this surname, suggesting it was already established in the region at that time.

In the 17th century, a prominent figure named Juan Melegrito is mentioned in the chronicles of the Spanish missionary efforts in the Philippines. He is described as a local leader who assisted the Jesuit priests in their evangelization efforts and helped establish a strong Catholic presence in his community.

During the 18th century, the Melegrito name appears in the baptismal records of the Archdiocese of Manila, indicating its continued presence in the Philippines. One notable individual from this era was Maria Melegrito, born in 1745, who is documented as a respected weaver and textile artist in the province of Bulacan.

As the 19th century dawned, the Melegrito surname spread beyond the Philippines to other parts of the Spanish colonial empire. In 1812, a Spanish soldier named Antonio Melegrito is recorded as having served in the Spanish army during the Peninsular War against Napoleon's forces in Spain.

In the late 19th century, a Filipino writer and journalist named Gregorio Melegrito gained recognition for his work in promoting the use of the Filipino language in literature and education. He was born in 1865 and played a significant role in the cultural renaissance movement in the Philippines during that period.

Throughout its history, the Melegrito surname has maintained a strong presence in the Philippines, with notable individuals bearing this name contributing to various fields, including literature, arts, and local leadership. While its exact origins remain uncertain, the name's linguistic roots and historical records suggest a rich cultural heritage deeply intertwined with the Philippine archipelago.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Melegrito

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

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

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

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