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

Samayoa, 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 Samayoa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Samayoa in America

Samayoa is the 9403rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Samayoa surname appeared 3,458 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 Samayoa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Samayoa 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 Samayoa

The surname SAMAYOA has its origins in Guatemala, tracing back to the late 15th century. It is derived from the Nahuatl language, spoken by the Aztecs and other indigenous groups in Central America. The name is believed to be a combination of the words "samahia" meaning "to rest" and "yoa" meaning "place," suggesting it may have referred to a resting place or settlement.

The earliest known record of the SAMAYOA name appears in a document from the Spanish colonial period in Guatemala, dated around 1520. This document mentions a village or community called "Samayoa," likely named after an indigenous leader or influential figure at the time.

In the 17th century, there are records of a SAMAYOA family residing in the town of Antigua Guatemala, one of the earliest Spanish colonial capitals in Central America. This family was involved in various trades and professions, including agriculture and artisanry.

One notable individual with the SAMAYOA surname was Juan Antonio Samayoa, born in 1775 in Guatemala City. He was a prominent lawyer and politician who played a role in the independence movement of Central America from Spanish rule in the early 19th century.

Another significant figure was María Samayoa, born in 1810 in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. She was a renowned poet and writer, contributing to the literary scene of her time and advocating for women's education and rights.

In the late 19th century, a SAMAYOA family from Guatemala settled in the United States, specifically in the state of California. One of their descendants, Miguel Samayoa, born in 1892, became a respected educator and advocate for the rights of Mexican-American and indigenous communities.

The SAMAYOA surname also has a presence in other Central American countries, such as El Salvador and Honduras, likely due to migration and intermarriage over the centuries. In the 20th century, notable individuals with the name include Carlos Samayoa, a Guatemalan politician and diplomat who served as ambassador to several countries.

Throughout its history, the SAMAYOA name has maintained its ties to its indigenous roots, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Guatemala and Central America. While its origins can be traced back to the pre-colonial era, the name has endured and spread across generations and borders, carrying with it the stories and experiences of those who have borne it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Samayoa

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

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

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

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