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

Primera, 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 Primera surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Primera in America

Primera is the 73911th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Primera surname appeared 262 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 Primera.

We can also compare 2010 data for Primera 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 Primera

The surname Primera has its origins in Spain, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Spanish word "primera," which means "first" or "foremost." This suggests that the name may have been given to the firstborn son in a family or to someone who held a prominent position or achieved a significant feat.

In the early days, the name was predominantly found in the regions of Andalusia and Catalonia. Historical records from the 13th century, such as the Fuero de Cuenca, mention individuals with variations of the name, including Primero and Primeira. These early spellings reflect the evolution of the name over time.

One of the earliest known references to the surname Primera can be found in the Libro de las Behetrías, a 14th-century manuscript that documented landholdings and property rights in Castile. This document mentions a certain Juan Primera, who held land in the town of Valladolid.

The name Primera has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was Pedro Primera, a 16th-century Spanish explorer and navigator who accompanied Francisco Pizarro on his expeditions to Peru. His exploits were documented in the chronicles of the time.

Another prominent individual bearing the surname was Juana Primera, a 17th-century Spanish poet and playwright from Seville. Her works, which included plays and poetry, gained recognition during the Spanish Golden Age.

In the 18th century, the name Primera was borne by Antonio Primera, a renowned Spanish architect who contributed to the design of several churches and public buildings in Madrid and surrounding areas.

Moving into the 19th century, we find Juan Primera, a Spanish military leader who played a significant role in the Peninsular War against Napoleon's forces. He was celebrated for his strategic leadership and bravery on the battlefield.

Lastly, one cannot overlook the contributions of María Primera, a 20th-century Spanish painter and sculptor known for her avant-garde works that challenged traditional artistic norms. Her pieces are featured in various galleries and museums across Spain.

While the surname Primera may not be as common as some others, it has left an indelible mark on Spanish history, with individuals from diverse fields contributing to the cultural, artistic, and military heritage of the nation.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Primera

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

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

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

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