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

Peneyra, 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 Peneyra surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Peneyra in America

Peneyra is the 142108th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Peneyra surname appeared 117 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 Peneyra.

The history of the last name Peneyra

The surname Peneyra is believed to have originated in Spain, with its roots tracing back to the 14th century. This name is thought to be derived from the Spanish word "peña," meaning "rock" or "cliff." It's possible that the earliest bearers of this surname lived near a prominent rock formation or in a rocky, mountainous area.

In the early records, the name appeared with various spellings, such as Peneyra, Peineyra, and Peneira, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time. The earliest known record of the name Peneyra dates back to 1389, when it was found in the municipal archives of the city of Seville, Spain.

During the 15th century, the Peneyra name gained prominence in the region of Galicia, located in northwestern Spain. It is believed that some members of the Peneyra family were among the early settlers and landowners in this area, establishing themselves as a respected clan.

One notable individual bearing the Peneyra surname was Pedro de Peneyra, a Spanish explorer and navigator who lived in the late 15th century. He accompanied Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the Americas in 1493 and played a significant role in the exploration and colonization of the Caribbean islands.

In the 16th century, the Peneyra family expanded its presence across Spain, with some members settling in the regions of Andalusia and Castile. One prominent figure from this era was Juan de Peneyra (1520-1585), a renowned architect who designed several notable churches and buildings in the cities of Seville and Córdoba.

As the centuries passed, the Peneyra name continued to spread across Spain and eventually found its way to other parts of the world, including Latin America and the Philippines, due to Spanish colonization and migration.

One notable individual from the 17th century was Alonso de Peneyra (1635-1701), a Spanish military officer and governor who served in various territories of the Spanish Empire, including Mexico and the Philippines. He played a crucial role in the defense and administration of these colonies during his tenure.

In the 19th century, a notable figure was Ramón Peneyra (1810-1878), a Spanish writer and poet who gained recognition for his works depicting the cultural and social landscapes of Spain during that era.

Throughout history, the Peneyra surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, leaving their mark on various aspects of society, including exploration, architecture, literature, and military service.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Peneyra

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

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

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

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