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

Rafuls, 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 Rafuls surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rafuls in America

Rafuls is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rafuls surname appeared 106 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 Rafuls.

The history of the last name Rafuls

The surname RAFULS is of Spanish origin, tracing its roots back to the Catalonia region of northeastern Spain during the medieval period. This surname is believed to have derived from the Catalan word "rafe," which means "radish" or "radish field." This suggests that the name may have originated from an occupation or location associated with radish cultivation or trading.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the RAFULS surname appears in the Catalan town of Vilafranca del Penedès during the 13th century. Historical records from this period mention a prominent landowner named Pere RAFULS, who owned several radish fields in the region. It is likely that the surname initially emerged as a descriptive identifier for individuals involved in radish cultivation or trade.

In the 15th century, the RAFULS surname can be found in various documents from the city of Barcelona, where several members of the family were involved in the local guilds and trades. Notably, a merchant named Joan RAFULS is mentioned in the city's records as a prominent figure in the spice trade.

During the 16th century, the RAFULS family expanded their presence across the Iberian Peninsula. One notable individual was Francesc RAFULS (1522-1587), a renowned scholar and philosopher who taught at the University of Valencia. His writings on ethics and moral philosophy were widely influential during the Renaissance period.

In the 17th century, the RAFULS surname gained prominence in the Americas as Spanish colonists and settlers began to establish themselves in the New World. One such figure was Pedro RAFULS (1629-1688), a navigator and explorer who accompanied expeditions to the Caribbean and Central America. His detailed maps and chronicles of these voyages were invaluable resources for future explorers.

Another notable figure was María RAFULS (1745-1821), a celebrated painter and portraitist who worked in the colonial city of Havana, Cuba. Her artworks, depicting the wealthy elite and prominent figures of the time, are now housed in various museums and galleries across Latin America.

As the RAFULS surname spread throughout Spain and its colonies, it became associated with various occupations, including agriculture, trade, academia, and the arts. While the name may have originated from humble beginnings in the radish fields of Catalonia, it has since gained a rich historical legacy spanning centuries and continents.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rafuls

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

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

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

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