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

Orta, 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 Orta surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Orta in America

Orta is the 4535th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Orta surname appeared 7,820 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 people would have the surname Orta.

We can also compare 2010 data for Orta 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 Orta

The surname Orta is of Spanish origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Spanish word "huerta," which means "garden" or "orchard." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who lived near or worked in gardens or orchards.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Orta surname can be found in the region of La Rioja, Spain, during the 13th century. Historical documents from that time mention individuals bearing the name, indicating its establishment as a family name.

Interestingly, the Orta surname also has connections to the city of Orta, located in the Italian region of Piedmont. It is possible that some individuals with this surname may have originated from this area or had ancestors who migrated from Italy to Spain.

In the 15th century, the Orta surname gained prominence when Garci Fernández de Orta, a Spanish explorer and botanist, embarked on expeditions to the East Indies. He is renowned for his contributions to the study of Asian plants and their medicinal properties, as documented in his seminal work, "Colóquios dos Simples e Drogas da Índia" (1563).

Another notable figure with the Orta surname was Pedro de Orta, a 16th-century Spanish physician and naturalist. He lived in Goa, India, and wrote extensively about the flora and fauna of the region, contributing significantly to the field of natural history.

In the realm of literature, Miguel de Orta y Rubio (1828-1895) was a renowned Spanish poet and playwright. His works, which included plays and lyrical compositions, garnered critical acclaim and helped establish him as a prominent figure in the Spanish literary scene of the 19th century.

José de Orta y Escobar (1635-1712) was a Spanish painter and engraver who gained recognition for his religious artworks and engravings. His works can be found in various churches and museums across Spain, showcasing his artistic talent and religious devotion.

Lastly, the Orta surname has also been associated with the Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata (1879-1919). His full name was Emiliano Zapata Salazar Orta, reflecting his maternal lineage and the influence of the Orta surname in his family tree.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Orta

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

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

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

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