Novoa
A habitational surname derived from the Galician word "nova," meaning "new," likely referring to a new settlement or land.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 4,970 Americans carry the last name Novoa. That puts it at #7,756 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.45 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 68,965 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Novoa surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
5.0K
1 in 68,965
Census rank
#7,756
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
4.3K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 4,281 bearers of the surname Novoa in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.45 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 7756th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Novoa, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 92.2%. The next largest groups are White (7.1%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (0.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Novoa
The surname NOVOA originated in Spain, specifically in the regions of Galicia and Asturias, during the medieval period. It is derived from the Latin word "novus," meaning "new," and likely referred to someone who had recently settled in a particular area or was a newcomer.
One of the earliest recorded references to the NOVOA surname can be found in the "Libro de la Nobleza" (Book of Nobility), a 14th-century manuscript that documented the noble families of Galicia. The name appears in this document, suggesting that the NOVOA family had already established themselves as part of the local nobility by that time.
In the 15th century, a prominent figure named Fernán Pérez de Novoa is mentioned in historical records as a knight and vassal of the Count of Lemos, a powerful noble in Galicia. This indicates that the NOVOA family had achieved a certain level of status and recognition during that period.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, several members of the NOVOA family played notable roles in the Spanish colonies in the Americas. One such individual was Pedro de Novoa, who served as a conquistador and explorer in Chile and Peru during the early years of Spanish colonization.
Another notable bearer of the NOVOA surname was Juan de Novoa, a 17th-century author and playwright from Galicia. He is best known for his work "Comedia de la Gloria de Niquea," a celebrated drama of the Spanish Golden Age.
In more recent history, José María Novoa Iglesias (1878-1959) was a prominent Spanish politician and lawyer who served as a deputy in the Spanish Parliament and played a significant role in the political events of his time.
It is worth noting that the NOVOA surname has also been associated with various place names in Spain, such as the town of Novoa in the province of Ourense, Galicia. This suggests that the name may have originated from a specific geographic location in the region.
Overall, the surname NOVOA has a rich history rooted in the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in the regions of Galicia and Asturias, and has been carried by notable individuals across various fields throughout the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Novoa
Among Census respondents with the surname Novoa, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 92.2%. The next largest groups are White (7.1%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (0.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Novoa bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Novoa surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Hispanic or Latino92.2%
- White7.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.3%
- Black or African American0.2%
- Unknown or suppressed0.2%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Novoa surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #9,192 | #7,756 | 15.6% |
| Count | 3,263 | 4,281 | 31.2% |
| Per 100K | 1.21 | 1.45 | 19.8% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Novoa bearers went from 3,263 to 4,281 (+31.2% change). The surname moved up 1,436 positions in the national ranking, going from #9,192 to #7,756.
FAQ
Novoa surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Novoa?
The surname Novoa holds position #7,756 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 4,970 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.45 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Novoa surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Novoa, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 92.2%. The next largest groups are White (7.1%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (0.3%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.