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

Merales, 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 Merales surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Merales in America

Merales is the 160975th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Merales surname appeared 100 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 Merales.

The history of the last name Merales

The surname Merales is of Spanish origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Latin word "meralis," which means "of the wall" or "fortified." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near or was associated with a defensive wall or fortification.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the census records of the Kingdom of Aragon, dating back to the 13th century. During this time, the surname was often spelled as "Merals" or "Merales," reflecting the regional variations in language and spelling conventions.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various municipal records and tax rolls in the regions of Catalonia and Valencia, where it was closely linked to the families involved in the construction and maintenance of defensive structures, such as city walls and fortresses.

One notable figure bearing the Merales surname was Juan Merales, a renowned architect and engineer who lived in the late 15th century. He was responsible for the design and construction of several fortifications and defensive systems throughout the Spanish kingdoms, including the iconic walls of Segovia and the fortifications of Granada.

In the 16th century, the name gained prominence with the rise of the Merales family in the city of Seville. This influential family played a significant role in the city's governance and cultural life. One of its most celebrated members was Rodrigo Merales, a renowned poet and playwright whose works were widely acclaimed during the Spanish Golden Age.

During the Age of Exploration, the Merales surname spread across the Spanish colonies in the Americas. One notable figure was Pedro Merales, a conquistador who accompanied Hernán Cortés on his expedition to conquer Mexico in the early 16th century. He later settled in the region and established a lineage that continues to this day.

Another prominent individual was María Merales, a renowned educator and philanthropist who lived in the 18th century. She founded several schools and orphanages in her hometown of Cartagena, Colombia, and was widely respected for her dedication to the education and well-being of underprivileged children.

As the centuries passed, the Merales surname continued to be associated with notable figures in various fields, including politics, arts, and academia. However, its origins remain firmly rooted in the medieval period, reflecting the rich history and cultural heritage of the Spanish-speaking world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Merales

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

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

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

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