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

Pelayo, 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 Pelayo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pelayo in America

Pelayo is the 4218th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pelayo surname appeared 8,402 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 Pelayo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pelayo 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 Pelayo

The surname Pelayo has its origins in the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in the regions of Spain and Portugal, and dates back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Latin name "Pelagius," which is believed to have been derived from the Greek word "pelagos," meaning "sea."

The earliest recorded use of the name Pelayo can be traced back to the 8th century, during the Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula. One of the most notable bearers of this name was Pelayo (c. 685-737), a Visigothic nobleman who led the Christian resistance against the Moors in the northern region of Asturias. Pelayo is considered the first monarch of the Kingdom of Asturias, which later became the foundation of the Kingdom of León, and is regarded as a national hero in Spanish history.

The name Pelayo gained prominence during the Reconquista, the centuries-long struggle to regain control of the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors. Several historical figures bore this name, including Pelayo Gaitán (c. 1020-1090), a nobleman and military leader who fought against the Moors in the Kingdom of León.

As the name spread across the Iberian Peninsula, various spellings and variations emerged, such as Pelayo, Pelaio, Pelagio, and Pelaez. Some of these variations were influenced by regional dialects and linguistic changes over time.

One notable bearer of the name Pelayo was Pelayo de Ribera (c. 1490-1567), a Spanish soldier and explorer who accompanied Hernán Cortés in the conquest of Mexico. Another prominent figure was Pelayo Quintero (1867-1936), a Spanish writer and journalist known for his works on political and social issues.

In Portugal, the name Pelayo also has a presence, with notable figures such as Pelayo Coutinho (c. 1220-1290), a Portuguese nobleman and military leader who played a significant role in the conquest of the Algarve region from the Moors.

While the surname Pelayo is not as common as some other Spanish or Portuguese surnames, it has a rich historical significance and has been borne by individuals who have left their mark on the cultural and political landscapes of the Iberian Peninsula.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pelayo

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

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

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

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