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

Ocaranza, 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 Ocaranza surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ocaranza in America

Ocaranza is the 79338th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ocaranza surname appeared 240 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 Ocaranza.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ocaranza 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 Ocaranza

The surname OCARANZA has its origins in the Basque region of Spain and France, tracing back to the 11th century. It is believed to be derived from the Basque word "oka," meaning "oak," and "arantza," meaning "thorn," suggesting a connection to a specific geographical location or a description of the landscape.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the OCARANZA surname is found in the Cartulario de San Millán de la Cogolla, a medieval cartulary from the Monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla, located in the province of La Rioja, Spain. This document, dating back to the 12th century, contains references to individuals bearing the name OCARANZA, indicating their presence in the region during that time period.

In the 13th century, the OCARANZA family is mentioned in various municipal records and land registries in the Basque Country, particularly in the provinces of Álava and Vizcaya. This suggests that the family had established roots and held properties in these areas.

During the 16th century, Juan de OCARANZA (1498-1567) gained prominence as a Spanish explorer and conquistador who participated in the conquest of Peru alongside Francisco Pizarro. His role in the subjugation of the Inca Empire and the establishment of Spanish rule in the region is well-documented in historical accounts.

Another notable figure was Martín de OCARANZA (1558-1625), a Spanish military officer and administrator who served as the Governor of the Philippines from 1623 to 1625. His tenure was marked by efforts to strengthen the colonial administration and defend the islands against external threats.

In the 18th century, Francisco de OCARANZA (1712-1788) was a renowned architect and master builder from the Basque region. He was responsible for the design and construction of several notable churches and public buildings, including the Basilica of Our Lady of Arantzazu in Oñati, a masterpiece of Basque Baroque architecture.

The OCARANZA surname can also be traced to the village of Ocáriz in Navarre, Spain, where it likely originated as a place name. The village's name is believed to derive from the Basque words "oka" and "iri," meaning "oak town" or "place of oaks."

In the 19th century, José de OCARANZA (1822-1899) was a prominent Spanish politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the 1870s. He played a crucial role in shaping Spain's foreign policy during a period of political instability and transition.

Throughout history, the OCARANZA surname has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including explorers, military leaders, architects, and politicians. While its roots can be traced back to the Basque region, the name has spread to other parts of Spain and beyond, carrying with it a rich historical legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ocaranza

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

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

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

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