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

Mestanza, 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 Mestanza surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mestanza in America

Mestanza is the 76768th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mestanza surname appeared 250 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 Mestanza.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mestanza 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 Mestanza

The surname Mestanza has its origins in Spain, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Spanish word "mesta," which referred to an association of shepherds responsible for managing livestock migrations across the Iberian Peninsula.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mestanza can be traced back to the 13th century, when it appeared in various municipal records and tax rolls from the region of Castile. The name was particularly prevalent in the provinces of Ciudad Real and Toledo, where many families engaged in pastoral activities were known to reside.

During the 15th century, the Mestanza surname gained prominence with the rise of Juan de Mestanza, a renowned military commander who served under King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile. Juan de Mestanza played a crucial role in the Reconquista, the campaign to retake the Iberian Peninsula from Moorish rule.

Another notable figure bearing the Mestanza surname was Pedro de Mestanza, a celebrated poet and playwright of the Spanish Golden Age. Born in Valladolid in 1570, Pedro de Mestanza's works were celebrated for their lyrical beauty and satirical wit, earning him a place among the literary luminaries of 16th-century Spain.

In the 18th century, the Mestanza family established a prominent presence in the Americas, with several members settling in various Spanish colonies. One such individual was Diego de Mestanza, a wealthy landowner who established a successful cattle ranch in the region of Nuevo León, present-day northeastern Mexico.

Furthermore, the Mestanza surname has been linked to the town of Mestanza, a municipality located in the province of Ciudad Real, Spain. It is believed that some branches of the family may have taken their name directly from this geographical location, further reinforcing the surname's connection to the pastoral heritage of the region.

Throughout history, the Mestanza surname has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including military leaders, literary figures, landowners, and cattle ranchers. While the name may have evolved slightly in spelling over the centuries, its roots remain firmly embedded in the rich cultural tapestry of medieval Spain and the pastoral traditions that defined the Iberian way of life.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mestanza

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

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

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

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