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

Proenza, 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 Proenza surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Proenza in America

Proenza is the 44872nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Proenza surname appeared 478 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 Proenza.

We can also compare 2010 data for Proenza 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 Proenza

The surname Proenza originates from Spain, specifically the region of Andalusia. It is believed to have derived from the Spanish word "proenza," which means "excellence" or "superiority." This suggests that the name may have initially been bestowed upon someone who exhibited exceptional qualities or achievements.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Proenza can be traced back to the 15th century. It appears in various historical documents from that era, including municipal records and property deeds. One notable example is the mention of a Juan de Proenza in a 1492 census conducted in the city of Seville.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Proenza family established a presence in several towns and villages across Andalusia. Some of these locations, such as Proenza de la Sierra and Proenza de Cuenca, may have derived their names from the surname itself, suggesting the influence and prominence of the Proenza lineage in those areas.

One of the earliest documented individuals with the surname Proenza was Rodrigo de Proenza, a renowned military commander who fought alongside the Catholic Monarchs during the Reconquista, the period of Spanish history marked by the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors. Rodrigo de Proenza was born in 1450 and played a crucial role in the capture of Granada in 1492, the final victory that ended the Reconquista.

Another notable figure bearing the Proenza surname was Isabel de Proenza, a celebrated poet and literary figure who lived in the 16th century. Born in 1525 in Seville, she was renowned for her mastery of sonnets and lyrical compositions. Her works were widely acclaimed during her lifetime and have been studied and preserved by literary scholars over the centuries.

In the realm of art, the name Proenza is associated with Juan de Proenza, a skilled Renaissance painter who lived in the late 16th century. Born in Córdoba in 1560, he is best known for his religious paintings and murals adorning several churches and cathedrals in Andalusia. His masterpiece, "The Adoration of the Magi," can still be admired in the Cathedral of Seville.

The Proenza surname also has ties to the world of exploration and discovery. In the late 15th century, a navigator named Andrés de Proenza accompanied Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the Americas in 1493. Proenza played a crucial role in mapping and charting the newly discovered lands, contributing to the expansion of Spanish influence in the New World.

Throughout the centuries, the Proenza surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, artists, and military leaders. While its origins can be traced back to Andalusia, the name has since spread to other regions of Spain and beyond, leaving an indelible mark on the rich tapestry of Spanish history and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Proenza

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

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

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

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