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

Monjes, 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 Monjes surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Monjes in America

Monjes is the 150436th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Monjes surname appeared 100 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Monjes.

The history of the last name Monjes

The surname Monjes has its origins in Spain, particularly in the regions of Andalusia and Castile during the medieval period. The name is believed to be derived from the Spanish word "monje," meaning "monk." This suggests that the surname likely originated to denote someone who lived near a monastery or was somehow associated with monastic life. The term "monje" itself comes from the Late Latin word "monachus," which traces back to the Greek word "monachós," meaning "solitary" or "monk."

Historical references to the surname Monjes are not abundant, but its origins can be loosely traced through various medieval manuscripts and local records. One of the oldest documented references is found in a 14th-century Castilian census, where a family bearing the surname Monjes resided in the region of Burgos. This suggests that the name was already well established by this time.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname often appeared in religious and administrative documents. For example, a man named Fernando Monjes is mentioned in a 15th-century monastery record in Seville, dated around 1450. This record indicates that the Monjes family had established themselves in religious and clerical circles.

In the 16th century, a notable figure with the surname Monjes was Diego Monjes, a Spanish soldier and explorer born in 1523. He played a significant role in several expeditions to the New World under the Spanish crown, albeit less prominently than more famous contemporaries. Diego Monjes' contributions to the exploration and colonization of South America have been noted in various historical accounts.

During the 17th century, the Monjes surname continued to appear in records, often associated with landownership and local governance in Castilian towns. One Bartholomew Monjes, born in 1601, served as a local magistrate in the town of Valladolid. His tenure is documented in municipal records, showing the Monjes family's involvement in local administration.

In the 18th century, another notable figure was Luis Monjes, born in 1725 in Granada. He was a prominent cleric and writer who produced several theological treatises. Monjes’ works were well-regarded in ecclesiastical circles and contributed to the religious discourse of the time. His death in 1789 was noted in several ecclesiastical histories, underscoring his influence.

By the 19th century, the Monjes surname had spread throughout Spain and to Spanish-speaking colonies. One prominent descendant, Maria Monjes, born in 1810, became known for her charitable work in Madrid. She established several schools and hospitals during her lifetime, earning her recognition and several public honors.

The Monjes surname, rooted in monastic associations, shows a lineage that spans several centuries and various facets of Spanish society, from military involvement and local governance to religious influence and charitable work.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Monjes

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Monjes 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 Monjes was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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