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

Portobanco, 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 Portobanco surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Portobanco in America

Portobanco is the 126765th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Portobanco surname appeared 135 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 Portobanco.

We can also compare 2010 data for Portobanco 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 Portobanco

The surname Portobanco is of Portuguese origin, with its roots dating back to the 15th century. It is believed to have originated from the combination of two words: "porto" meaning port or harbor, and "banco" meaning bank or shore. This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who lived near a harbor or along the banks of a river or coastal area.

The earliest known records of the Portobanco name can be found in historical documents from the region of Algarve, in southern Portugal. One of the earliest mentions of the name appears in a land registry from the year 1487, where a certain "João Portobanco" is listed as a property owner in the town of Faro.

During the Age of Exploration, when Portuguese navigators and explorers set out to discover new lands and trade routes, the Portobanco name began to spread across the Portuguese empire. In the 16th century, a merchant named António Portobanco was known for his involvement in the spice trade between Portugal and the East Indies.

In the 17th century, a prominent figure named Pedro Portobanco served as a military commander during the Portuguese Restoration War against Spain. He played a crucial role in the defense of the city of Évora and was later recognized for his bravery and leadership.

As the Portuguese empire expanded, the Portobanco name traveled to various parts of the world, including Brazil, Africa, and Asia. In the 18th century, a Brazilian plantation owner named Manuel Portobanco gained notoriety for his successful cultivation of sugarcane and his contributions to the local economy.

Another notable individual was Maria Portobanco, a philanthropist who lived in Goa, India, during the late 18th century. She was renowned for her charitable work and her efforts to support the local community, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.

In the 19th century, a Portuguese writer and journalist named José Portobanco gained prominence for his literary works and his advocacy for social reforms. His writings shed light on the sociopolitical issues of his time and influenced public discourse.

While the Portobanco name may not be as widespread as some other Portuguese surnames, it has a rich history intertwined with the explorations, trade, and cultural exchanges that shaped the Portuguese nation and its global influence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Portobanco

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

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

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

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