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

Roa, 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 Roa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Roa in America

Roa is the 5589th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Roa surname appeared 6,221 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Roa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Roa 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 Roa

The surname Roa originated in Spain and Portugal, tracing its roots back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Spanish word "roa," which means "threshing floor" or "area where crops are processed." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who worked on farms or in agriculture-related professions.

In the early days, the surname Roa was often spelled with variations such as Roca, Roda, or Rocha, reflecting the different regional dialects and linguistic influences of the time. These alternative spellings can be found in historical records and documents from various parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

One of the earliest known references to the surname Roa can be found in the Chronicles of Alfonso X, the Wise, a 13th-century Castilian king. This document mentions a nobleman named Fernán Rodríguez de Roa, who served as a royal advisor and military commander during the king's reign.

Another notable figure with the surname Roa was Pedro de Roa, a 16th-century Spanish playwright and poet. Born in Cordoba in 1552, he is renowned for his contributions to the Golden Age of Spanish literature and his works that explored themes of love, honor, and morality.

In the 17th century, Juan de Roa Dávila, a Spanish priest and historian, gained recognition for his writings on the history of the city of Cordoba. His book, "Teatro de las Grandezas de la Villa de Madrid," published in 1623, provided valuable insights into the cultural and architectural heritage of the Spanish capital.

Another prominent individual with the surname Roa was Martín de Roa y Camargo, a 17th-century Spanish military engineer and architect. He was responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of several fortifications and defensive structures in various Spanish territories, including the renowned Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida.

In the field of art, Juan Roa Dávila, a 17th-century Spanish painter, gained recognition for his religious works and portraits. He is particularly known for his paintings adorning the walls of the Cathedral of Cordoba, which showcase his mastery of the Baroque style.

While the surname Roa has its origins in the Iberian Peninsula, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and exploration. Today, individuals bearing this surname can be found in countries like Mexico, Colombia, and other Latin American nations, as well as in communities with Spanish and Portuguese heritage worldwide.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Roa

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

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

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

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