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

Placensia, 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 Placensia surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Placensia in America

Placensia is the 74608th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Placensia surname appeared 259 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 Placensia.

We can also compare 2010 data for Placensia 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 Placensia

The surname Placensia is believed to have originated in the region of Placencia, located in the Guanacaste province of northwestern Costa Rica. This name can be traced back to the 16th century when Spanish colonists first settled in the area.

The name Placensia is thought to be derived from the Spanish word "placer," which means "pleasure" or "delight." This suggests that the region was named for its beautiful and pleasing surroundings, likely referring to the serene coastal landscapes and abundant natural resources found in the area.

One of the earliest known records of the surname Placensia dates back to 1578, when a Spanish settler named Juan Placensia was granted a land grant in the Guanacaste region. This document, which is housed in the National Archives of Costa Rica, provides valuable insight into the origins and early usage of the name.

Another notable figure bearing the Placensia surname was Tomás Placensia, a prominent landowner and cattle rancher who lived in the late 17th century. Historical records indicate that he played a significant role in the development of the local economy and the expansion of the region's agricultural and livestock industries.

In the late 18th century, a prominent family with the surname Placensia emerged in the nearby city of Nicoya. This family was known for their involvement in local politics and their contributions to the cultural and social fabric of the community. One notable member was María Placensia, who was born in 1765 and was widely respected for her philanthropic efforts and support of the local church.

As the centuries passed, the Placensia surname spread beyond the confines of Costa Rica. In the early 19th century, a man named Rodrigo Placensia migrated to Mexico, where he and his descendants established themselves as successful merchants and landowners. Another notable figure was Juana Placensia, a Cuban-born writer and activist who lived from 1875 to 1942 and was known for her advocacy of women's rights and social reform.

Throughout its history, the Placensia surname has maintained a strong connection to its roots in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. While the name has spread to various parts of the world, its origins can be traced back to the early Spanish colonists who settled in the Placencia area, drawn by the natural beauty and abundant resources of this coastal region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Placensia

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

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

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

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