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

Ortez, 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 Ortez surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ortez in America

Ortez is the 8720th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ortez surname appeared 3,762 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Ortez.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ortez 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 Ortez

The surname Ortez finds its origins in Spain, tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Spanish word "ortiz," which means "gardener" or "orchard keeper." This occupational surname was likely assigned to individuals who worked as gardeners or tended to orchards in various regions of Spain.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Ortez surname can be found in historical documents from the 13th century, referencing a family residing in the city of Seville, Andalusia. The name appeared in municipal records and land ownership documents, indicating that the Ortez family held a respectable position within the local community.

During the 15th century, the Ortez surname gained prominence when a notable figure named Juan Ortez (1420-1498) emerged as a prominent scholar and theologian. Ortez was known for his contributions to the study of canon law and his writings on ecclesiastical matters, which were widely circulated during the Renaissance period.

Another historical figure bearing the Ortez surname was Pedro Ortez (1562-1624), a Spanish explorer and navigator who accompanied several expeditions to the Americas. He is renowned for his detailed accounts of the natural landscapes and indigenous cultures encountered during his voyages, which provided valuable insights into the early exploration of the New World.

In the 17th century, the Ortez family established a presence in the region of Castile, where they owned vast estates and vineyards. One notable member of this branch was Doña María Ortez (1635-1712), a renowned philanthropist who founded several charities and institutions dedicated to the education and care of underprivileged children.

The Ortez surname also found its way to the Americas, with several individuals bearing this name contributing to the cultural and political landscapes of various countries. One such figure was José Ortez (1780-1853), a Mexican statesman and diplomat who played a crucial role in the negotiations leading to Mexico's independence from Spain in the early 19th century.

While the Ortez surname has its roots in Spain, it has since spread to various parts of the world, including Latin America, where it continues to be a prominent name. Throughout history, individuals bearing this surname have left their mark in various fields, from academia and exploration to politics and philanthropy, contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ortez

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

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

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

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