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

Nopal, 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 Nopal surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nopal in America

Nopal is the 132206th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nopal surname appeared 128 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 Nopal.

The history of the last name Nopal

The surname "NOPAL" is believed to have originated in Mexico, where it is derived from the Nahuatl word "nopalli," meaning "prickly pear cactus." The Nahuatl language was spoken by the Aztecs and other indigenous peoples of central Mexico.

The earliest known references to the surname "NOPAL" can be traced back to the 16th century, during the Spanish colonial era in Mexico. It is likely that the name was originally used to identify individuals or families who lived in areas where the prickly pear cactus was abundant or who were involved in the cultivation or processing of this plant.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the surname "NOPAL" appeared in various historical records and documents from the region, including parish records, land grants, and census records. One notable example is Juan Nopal, a landowner and rancher who lived in the state of Jalisco in the mid-18th century.

As the Spanish colonial influence spread throughout Mexico and other parts of the Americas, the surname "NOPAL" began to appear in different regions and countries. For instance, in the 19th century, there are records of individuals with the surname "NOPAL" living in areas such as Texas and California, which were formerly part of Mexico.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have carried the surname "NOPAL." These include:

1. José Nopal (1820-1895), a Mexican politician and diplomat who served as the Mexican ambassador to the United States during the 1870s.
2. María Nopal (1855-1932), a Mexican artist known for her intricate embroidery work and textile designs.
3. Arturo Nopal (1900-1975), a Mexican writer and poet who was part of the literary movement known as the "Contemporary Group."
4. Enrique Nopal (1925-2010), a Mexican archaeologist who made significant contributions to the study of pre-Columbian cultures in Mesoamerica.
5. Lucía Nopal (born 1968), a Mexican environmental activist and advocate for the preservation of traditional farming practices and indigenous land rights.

While the surname "NOPAL" has its roots in Mexico and the indigenous cultures of the region, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. The name continues to carry a connection to the iconic prickly pear cactus and the rich cultural heritage of Mexico.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nopal

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

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

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

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