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

Pantoja, 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 Pantoja surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pantoja in America

Pantoja is the 2383rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pantoja surname appeared 15,249 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 5 people would have the surname Pantoja.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pantoja 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 Pantoja

The surname Pantoja originated in Spain during the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Spanish word "panta," which means "marsh" or "swamp," suggesting that the name's bearers may have lived near or worked in marshy areas. Additionally, the suffix "-oja" is a common Spanish diminutive, indicating a small or diminutive form.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Pantoja surname can be found in the Becerro de las Behetrías, a 14th-century census document from the reign of King Pedro I of Castile. This document lists several individuals with the Pantoja surname, indicating the name's presence in various regions of Spain during that period.

In the 16th century, the Pantoja family played a notable role in the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Juan Pantoja de la Cruz, born around 1553 in Valladolid, Spain, was a renowned painter who served as the court painter for King Philip III of Spain. His works, including portraits of the royal family, are considered important examples of Spanish Renaissance art.

Another notable figure from this time period was Francisco Pantoja, a Spanish conquistador who accompanied Hernán Cortés during the conquest of Mexico in the early 16th century. Pantoja participated in various battles and expeditions, helping to establish Spanish control over the region.

In the 17th century, the Pantoja surname gained prominence in the literary world. Antonio Pantoja y Guzmán, born in Seville in 1610, was a Spanish poet and dramatist known for his works in the baroque style. His plays and poems were widely acclaimed during his lifetime.

Moving to the 18th century, Manuel Pantoja y Llanos, born in Seville in 1742, was a renowned Spanish architect. He designed several notable buildings, including the Palacio de las Dueñas in Seville, which is now considered a masterpiece of Spanish Baroque architecture.

Throughout its history, the Pantoja surname has been associated with various professions, from artists and writers to military figures and architects. While its origins can be traced back to medieval Spain, the name has since spread to various parts of the world, particularly through Spanish colonization and migration.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pantoja

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

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

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

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