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

Protacio, 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 Protacio surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Protacio in America

Protacio is the 103655th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Protacio surname appeared 173 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 Protacio.

We can also compare 2010 data for Protacio 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 Protacio

The surname Protacio has its origins in Portugal, dating back to the 15th century. It is believed to have derived from the Portuguese word "protácio," which means "protector" or "guardian." This suggests that the name may have initially been bestowed upon individuals who served as protectors or guardians within their communities.

During the Age of Discovery, as Portuguese explorers ventured across the globe, the name Protacio likely spread to various parts of the world where the Portuguese established colonies or trading posts. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in documents from the 16th and 17th centuries, particularly in regions with a strong Portuguese influence, such as Brazil, Goa, and parts of Africa.

One notable bearer of the Protacio surname was João Protacio de Vasconcelos, a Portuguese navigator and explorer who lived in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He played a significant role in the exploration of the Brazilian coast and is credited with discovering the mouth of the Amazon River in 1500.

Another individual of historical significance was Manuel Protacio de Sousa, a Portuguese military officer and colonial administrator who served as the Governor of Portuguese India from 1633 to 1635. He is remembered for his efforts in strengthening the defenses of Goa and his involvement in conflicts with neighboring kingdoms.

In the realm of literature, José Protacio Alves Pereira, a Brazilian poet and writer born in 1857, gained recognition for his works that celebrated the beauty of his native land and reflected the cultural diversity of Brazil.

Moving forward in time, Antônio Protacio da Silva, a Brazilian lawyer and politician born in 1897, made his mark as a prominent advocate for workers' rights and social justice. He served as a member of the Brazilian Congress and played a pivotal role in shaping labor laws and policies.

Lastly, Maria Protacio de Oliveira, a Portuguese educator and women's rights activist born in 1928, dedicated her life to promoting equal educational opportunities for girls and advocating for gender equality in her country.

While the Protacio surname may not be among the most common globally, its presence can be traced across various regions, reflecting the historical connections and influences of the Portuguese diaspora.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Protacio

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

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

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

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