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

Olaya, 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 Olaya surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Olaya in America

Olaya is the 27228th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Olaya surname appeared 888 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 Olaya.

We can also compare 2010 data for Olaya 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 Olaya

The surname Olaya has its origins in Spain, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Spanish word "ola," meaning "wave" or "surge," which could suggest a connection to maritime activities or coastal regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Olaya name can be found in the "Becerro de las Behetrías de Castilla," a census-like document from the 14th century that listed landowners and their properties in the region of Castile. This document mentions individuals with the surname Olaya, indicating the name's presence during that time.

In the 16th century, the Olaya name appeared in various historical records, such as the "Libros de Hidalguía," which cataloged noble families and their lineages. These references often provided insights into the geographical origins and settlements of different Olaya families.

One notable bearer of the Olaya surname was Pedro de Olaya (c. 1490-1560), a Spanish Renaissance painter known for his religious works and portraits. His artworks can be found in several churches and museums across Spain.

Another historical figure with the Olaya name was Juan de Olaya (c. 1550-1620), a Spanish soldier and explorer who participated in expeditions to the Americas during the colonization period. He is credited with establishing settlements in present-day Colombia and Peru.

In the 18th century, the Olaya name gained prominence with Joaquín Olaya de la Quadra (1738-1804), a Spanish naval officer and explorer who commanded several expeditions to the Pacific Northwest region of North America. He played a significant role in mapping and claiming territories for the Spanish Crown.

Moving forward to the 19th century, María Olaya Herrera (1828-1909) was a prominent Colombian educator and activist who fought for women's rights and access to education. She founded several schools and advocated for educational reforms in her country.

The Olaya surname has also been associated with various place names, particularly in Spain, such as Olaya, a municipality in the province of Ávila, and Olaya Herrera, a neighborhood in the city of Medellín, Colombia, named after the aforementioned María Olaya Herrera.

While the Olaya surname has Spanish roots, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including Latin America and beyond, as a result of migration and cultural exchange. Throughout its history, the name has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, leaving an indelible mark on various spheres of society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Olaya

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

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

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

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