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

Sandova, 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 Sandova surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sandova in America

Sandova is the 138304th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sandova surname appeared 121 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 Sandova.

The history of the last name Sandova

The surname Sandova has its origins in Spain, emerging during the medieval period, specifically around the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Spanish word "sandoval," which translates to "valley of sand" or "sandy valley." This suggests that the name may have originated from a topographical feature, possibly referring to an area or region characterized by sandy valleys or landscapes.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sandova can be found in the "Becerro de las Behetrías de Castilla," a medieval manuscript dating back to the 14th century. This document, which served as a register of landholdings and properties in Castile, mentions individuals bearing the surname Sandova, indicating their presence and influence in the region during that time.

In the 15th century, the name Sandova gained prominence with the emergence of Fernán Gutiérrez de Sandoval, a Spanish nobleman and military leader who played a significant role in the Reconquista. Born in 1423, he served as the alcaide (governor) of the fortress of Alhama and was known for his bravery in battle against the Moors.

Another notable figure bearing the Sandova surname was Diego de Sandoval, a Spanish conquistador who accompanied Hernán Cortés in the conquest of Mexico in the early 16th century. Born in 1493, he played a crucial role in the subjugation of the Aztec Empire and later served as a governor in various regions of New Spain.

The 17th century saw the rise of Bernardo de Sandoval y Rojas, a Spanish ecclesiastic and statesman who served as the Archbishop of Toledo and the Cardinal-Primate of Spain. Born in 1546, he was a prominent figure in the Catholic Church and held significant influence in the Spanish court during the reign of King Philip III.

In the artistic realm, Francisco Goya, the renowned Spanish painter and printmaker, had connections to the Sandova surname through his maternal lineage. His mother, Gracia de Sandoval, was born in 1684, and her family's ties to the name can be traced back to the region of Aragon.

Throughout history, variations of the spelling "Sandova" have emerged, such as "Sandoval," "Sandovales," and "Sandovalle." These variations often reflect regional differences or adaptations over time, but they all share a common linguistic root and ancestral connection to the original Spanish surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sandova

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

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

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

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