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

Pirela, 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 Pirela surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pirela in America

Pirela is the 45026th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pirela surname appeared 476 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 Pirela.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pirela 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 Pirela

The surname Pirela originates from the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in the regions of Spain and Portugal, during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Latin word "petra," meaning rock or stone, suggesting a potential connection to a geographic location or a profession involving stonework.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Pirela can be traced back to the 13th century in the region of Galicia, Spain. Historical records from that time mention individuals bearing the name Pirela, often associated with small villages or rural areas.

During the 15th century, the name Pirela gained prominence in the town of Ribadavia, located in the province of Ourense, Galicia. Several documents from that era, including municipal records and land registries, contain references to the Pirela family, indicating their presence and involvement in local affairs.

Notable individuals with the surname Pirela include Álvaro Pirela, a Spanish explorer born in 1492, who accompanied Hernán Cortés on his expeditions to the Americas. Álvaro Pirela's accounts and observations from these journeys provide valuable insights into the early encounters between European explorers and indigenous populations.

In the 17th century, Juan Pirela, a renowned architect from Seville, Spain, gained recognition for his contributions to the design and construction of several churches and public buildings in the city. His architectural works, characterized by intricate stone carvings and elegant facades, showcased the skilled craftsmanship associated with the Pirela name.

Another notable figure was María Pirela, a Spanish philanthropist and humanitarian born in 1720, who dedicated her life to improving the living conditions of the poor and underprivileged in her community. Her charitable efforts and advocacy for social justice earned her widespread respect and recognition during her lifetime.

In the 19th century, the Pirela surname spread beyond the Iberian Peninsula, with members of the family migrating to various parts of the Americas, including Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile. One such individual was Tomás Pirela, a Chilean businessman born in 1845, who established a successful trading company and played a significant role in the economic development of his region.

Throughout its history, the surname Pirela has been associated with a variety of professions, ranging from stonemasons and architects to explorers and philanthropists, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who have carried this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pirela

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

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

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

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