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

Morocho, 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 Morocho surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Morocho in America

Morocho is the 10910th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Morocho surname appeared 2,918 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Morocho.

We can also compare 2010 data for Morocho 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 Morocho

The surname Morocho has its origins in Ecuador, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Quechua word "muruchu," which means "dark-skinned" or "brown-skinned." This suggests that the name was initially used to describe individuals with a darker complexion, which was likely a distinguishing feature in the region at the time.

Records from colonial times show that the surname Morocho was prevalent in the highlands of Ecuador, particularly in the regions around Quito and Cuenca. It is possible that the name was initially adopted by indigenous individuals who had been given Spanish surnames during the process of colonization and assimilation.

One of the earliest known references to the surname Morocho can be found in the archives of the Archdiocese of Quito, where a man named Juan Morocho was mentioned in a document dated 1568. This record provides valuable insight into the antiquity of the surname and its presence in the region during the colonial era.

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the surname Morocho continued to appear in various historical documents and records, particularly those related to land ownership and legal transactions. Notable individuals bearing this surname during this period include Francisca Morocho, a landowner in Cuenca in the late 17th century, and Tomás Morocho, a prominent figure in the indigenous community of Cayambe in the 18th century.

In the 19th century, the surname Morocho gained wider recognition with the birth of Juan José Morocho (1822-1904), a renowned poet and writer from Cuenca. His works celebrated the beauty of the Ecuadorian landscape and the richness of the country's indigenous cultures. Another notable figure from this era was María Morocho (1845-1917), a renowned weaver and artisan whose intricate textiles were highly sought after in the region.

As Ecuador entered the 20th century, the surname Morocho continued to be represented in various fields. One notable individual was Dolores Morocho (1908-1988), a celebrated painter and sculptor whose works captured the essence of rural life in Ecuador. Another prominent figure was Luisa Morocho (1920-2005), a respected educator who dedicated her life to improving educational opportunities for children in rural communities.

Throughout its history, the surname Morocho has been indelibly linked to the cultural heritage and diverse ethnic tapestry of Ecuador. Its origins, rooted in the Quechua language, serve as a testament to the enduring influence of indigenous cultures in the region, while its presence across centuries highlights the resilience and adaptability of this distinctive surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Morocho

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

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

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

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