Peca
A surname of Portuguese origin meaning "stain" or "blemish."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 240 Americans carry the last name Peca. That puts it at #95,115 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.07 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,428,143 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Peca surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
240
1 in 1,428,143
Census rank
#95,115
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
192
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 192 bearers of the surname Peca in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 95115th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Peca, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Peca
The surname PECA originated from the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in the regions of Portugal and Spain. Its roots can be traced back to the 13th century, deriving from the Latin word "pecus," which means "cattle" or "herd." This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname for those involved in the herding or tending of livestock.
During the medieval period, the PECA surname was prevalent in various regions of Portugal and Spain. Some of the earliest recorded instances can be found in historical documents from the 14th and 15th centuries, such as the Livro Velho de Linhagens (Old Book of Lineages) and the Chronica d'El-Rei D. Joao I (Chronicle of King John I).
One notable individual bearing the PECA surname was Pedro Peca, a Portuguese explorer and navigator who accompanied Vasco da Gama on his famous voyage to India in the late 15th century. Pedro Peca played a crucial role in charting the routes and documenting the expedition, contributing to the expansion of the Portuguese Empire during the Age of Discovery.
In Spain, the PECA surname was also present in various regions, particularly in Catalonia and Aragon. One prominent figure from this region was Juan Peca y Miró (1560-1628), a Catalan painter and artist known for his religious works and contributions to the Baroque style of the era.
Another individual of note was Antonia Peca (1682-1745), a Spanish writer and poet who gained recognition for her literary works during the Golden Age of Spanish literature. Her poetry often explored themes of love, spirituality, and the complexities of human emotion.
The PECA surname can also be found in historical records from the Canary Islands, where it is believed to have been introduced by early settlers and colonists from the Iberian mainland. One such figure was Sebastián Peca (1701-1779), a prominent landowner and agriculturist who played a significant role in the development of the island's agricultural industry.
While the PECA surname has its roots in the Iberian Peninsula, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and colonization. Over time, the name has undergone slight variations in spelling, such as Pecca, Pecha, or Peca, but its origins and core meaning have remained largely intact.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Peca
Among Census respondents with the surname Peca, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Peca bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Peca surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.2%
- Hispanic or Latino4.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Peca surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #95,115 | #95,115 | 0.0% |
| Count | 192 | 192 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.07 | 0.07 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Peca bearers went from 192 to 192 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #95,115 to #95,115.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Peca
FAQ
Peca surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Peca?
The surname Peca holds position #95,115 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 240 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Peca surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Peca, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.7%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.