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

Otzoy, 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 Otzoy surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Otzoy in America

Otzoy is the 129047th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Otzoy surname appeared 132 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 Otzoy.

The history of the last name Otzoy

The surname OTZOY is of Mayan origin, specifically from the Quiche branch of the Maya civilization, which flourished in the region that is now modern-day Guatemala. The name dates back to the late 15th century and is believed to have derived from the Mayan word "otz'oy," meaning "to guide" or "to lead."

The earliest known records of the OTZOY surname appear in various Mayan codices and hieroglyphic inscriptions found in the ruins of ancient Mayan cities, such as Tikal and Uaxactun. These inscriptions often referred to prominent Mayan leaders or nobles who bore the name OTZOY, indicating that it was a prestigious surname associated with individuals of high social standing within the Mayan society.

One of the earliest documented individuals with the surname OTZOY was Kan Otzoy, a renowned Mayan ruler who governed the city-state of Mayapan during the late 15th century. Kan Otzoy was known for his military conquests and for consolidating power over the northern Yucatan Peninsula.

Another notable figure in Mayan history bearing the OTZOY surname was Ah Otzoy, a skilled astronomer and mathematician who lived in the city of Chichen Itza in the late 9th century. Ah Otzoy is credited with advancing the Mayan calendar system and making significant contributions to the field of astronomy.

During the Spanish conquest of the Maya in the 16th century, the surname OTZOY was adopted by some Maya who converted to Christianity and adopted Spanish naming conventions. One such individual was Diego Otzoy, a Mayan noble who played a crucial role in negotiating with the Spanish conquistadors and facilitating the transition to Spanish rule in the Yucatan region.

In the 17th century, a prominent figure named Gaspar Otzoy emerged as a leader in the Mayan resistance against Spanish colonization. Gaspar Otzoy organized a series of uprisings and guerilla campaigns aimed at preserving Mayan cultural identity and resisting the forced assimilation policies of the Spanish colonial authorities.

Throughout the colonial period and into the modern era, the OTZOY surname has remained prevalent among Maya communities in Guatemala, Belize, and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Several influential writers, artists, and political figures have carried the OTZOY name, contributing to the cultural and intellectual legacy of the Maya people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Otzoy

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

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 Otzoy 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.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!