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

Raposa, 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 Raposa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Raposa in America

Raposa is the 18166th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Raposa surname appeared 1,532 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Raposa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Raposa 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 Raposa

The surname Raposa is of Portuguese origin, with its roots traceable back to the medieval era. It derives from the Portuguese word "raposa," which translates to "fox" in English. This name was likely initially bestowed upon an individual with a cunning or sly demeanor, akin to the characteristics associated with foxes.

The earliest known record of the Raposa surname appears in the 13th century, in various historical documents from the northern regions of Portugal. It is believed that the name may have originated from a particular village or town bearing a similar moniker, as was common practice during that time period.

One notable individual bearing the Raposa surname was João Raposa, a renowned Portuguese explorer who accompanied Vasco da Gama on his expedition to India in the late 15th century. His bravery and navigational skills were highly regarded, and he played a crucial role in establishing trade routes between Portugal and the Indian subcontinent.

In the 16th century, the Raposa name gained prominence in the Azores, an archipelago of Portuguese islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Several families bearing this surname were among the early settlers of these islands, and their descendants continue to reside there to this day.

Another historical figure of note was Maria Raposa, a 17th-century Portuguese nun who became renowned for her charitable works and dedication to the poor and underprivileged. Her selfless efforts earned her a reputation for compassion and kindness throughout the region.

During the Age of Discovery, the Raposa surname spread beyond Portugal's borders as Portuguese explorers and settlers ventured to far-flung corners of the world. Records indicate that individuals bearing this name established themselves in various Portuguese colonies, including Brazil, Africa, and parts of Asia.

In the 19th century, a notable Raposa was José Raposa, a renowned Portuguese poet and literary figure. His works, which often celebrated the beauty of the Iberian countryside and explored themes of love and loss, earned him critical acclaim and a devoted following among literary circles of the time.

Throughout its history, the Raposa surname has been subject to various spelling variations, such as Rapousa, Rapoza, and Raposinha, reflecting the linguistic nuances and regional dialects of the areas where it was present. However, the core meaning and roots of the name have remained intact, serving as a testament to the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Portugal.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Raposa

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

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

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

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