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

Pravia, 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 Pravia surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pravia in America

Pravia is the 133048th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pravia surname appeared 127 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 Pravia.

The history of the last name Pravia

The surname Pravia originates from the northwestern region of Spain, specifically from the municipality of Pravia located in the Principality of Asturias. The name's roots can be traced back to the 8th century AD, during the early stages of the Reconquista, when the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula began their gradual conquest against the Moorish rulers.

Pravia likely derives from the Latin term "pravia," meaning "of the meadow" or "of the open field," reflecting the region's lush, green landscapes. The earliest recorded instance of the surname appears in a medieval manuscript from the 10th century, referencing a nobleman named Rodrigo de Pravia, who played a significant role in the defense of the region against Moorish invasions.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the Pravia family held considerable influence and landholdings in the Asturias region, as evidenced by various historical records and charters. One notable figure was Pedro de Pravia, a renowned knight who fought alongside King Alfonso VI during the Reconquista campaigns in the late 11th century.

As the surname spread beyond its place of origin, variations in spelling emerged, such as Pravia, Prauia, and Pravía. The Pravia name also gained prominence in other parts of Spain, particularly in the neighboring regions of Galicia and Cantabria.

In the 14th century, a branch of the Pravia family established itself in the Kingdom of Aragon, where they held influential positions within the court and military. One noteworthy figure from this period was Alonso de Pravia, a celebrated commander who played a crucial role in the conquest of Sardinia in the late 15th century.

During the Age of Exploration, the Pravia surname traveled across the Atlantic, as several members of the family participated in the Spanish colonization efforts in the Americas. Juan de Pravia, born in 1522, was among the early settlers in New Spain (present-day Mexico), where he became a prominent landowner and contributed to the establishment of Spanish rule in the region.

Another notable figure was Hernán de Pravia, a 16th-century navigator and explorer who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan on his famous circumnavigation of the globe. De Pravia's account of the voyage provided valuable insights into the expeditions and the discovery of new lands.

In the realm of arts and literature, the Pravia surname also left its mark. Miguel de Pravia, a renowned poet and playwright born in 1680 in Seville, gained recognition for his works that celebrated the vibrant culture and traditions of Andalusia.

While the Pravia surname has its roots firmly planted in the Iberian Peninsula, it has since spread across the globe, carried by the descendants of those who ventured beyond the borders of Spain during the age of exploration and colonization.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pravia

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!