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

Merino, 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 Merino surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Merino in America

Merino is the 3073rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Merino surname appeared 11,684 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 4 people would have the surname Merino.

We can also compare 2010 data for Merino 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 Merino

The surname Merino is of Spanish origin, derived from the Latin word "merinus," which means a shepherd or someone who tends to sheep. This name originated in the region of Castile, Spain, during the Middle Ages.

The name Merino was initially associated with individuals who were involved in the sheep-rearing industry, particularly those who specialized in the breeding and cultivation of the Merino sheep, a breed renowned for its exceptionally fine wool. The Merino sheep were highly prized in Spain and played a significant role in the country's wool trade and textile industry.

In historical records, the earliest known reference to the Merino surname can be traced back to the 13th century. One of the earliest documented individuals with this surname was Juan Merino, a prominent wool merchant from the city of Segovia in the late 1200s. The Merino family's involvement in the wool trade contributed to their prosperity and influence in the region.

During the 15th century, the Merino name gained further prominence when Diego Merino, a renowned sheep breeder from Extremadura, developed techniques for improving the quality of Merino wool. His innovations helped establish Spain as a leading producer of high-quality wool, which was exported to other parts of Europe.

Another notable figure bearing the Merino surname was Pedro Merino, a Spanish military officer who played a crucial role in the Peninsular War against Napoleon's forces in the early 19th century. Born in 1770, he became a prominent guerrilla leader and is remembered for his bravery and strategic military campaigns.

In the realm of literature, Francisco Merino Ballesteros (1925-2008), a Spanish poet and essayist, gained recognition for his works that explored themes of existentialism and the human condition. His poetic works, such as "Cántico Espiritual" and "Tiempo Recobrado," earned him critical acclaim.

The Merino surname also spread beyond Spain's borders, with notable individuals bearing this name emerging in other parts of the world. One such example is Alejandro Merino (1877-1953), a Chilean diplomat and politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the early 20th century.

While the surname Merino has its roots in the wool and sheep-rearing industry of medieval Spain, it has since evolved to encompass individuals from various backgrounds and professions, yet still retaining a connection to its historical origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Merino

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

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

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

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