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

Soco, 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 Soco surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Soco in America

Soco is the 129047th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Soco surname appeared 132 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 Soco.

The history of the last name Soco

The surname SOCO is believed to have originated in Spain, with its roots tracing back to the Iberian Peninsula during the medieval period. It is derived from the Latin word "socors," which means "helpful" or "supportive." This suggests that the name may have initially been given as a descriptive nickname to someone who was perceived as a helpful or supportive individual within their community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the SOCO surname can be found in the Catalan region of Spain, where it appeared in various documents and records dating back to the 13th century. Specifically, a certain Pedro Soco was mentioned in a legal document from the city of Barcelona in 1286, indicating that the name was already in use at that time.

During the 15th century, the SOCO surname gained further prominence in Spain, particularly in the regions of Catalonia and Aragon. Historical records from this period reveal several notable individuals bearing this name, including Juan Soco, a wealthy merchant from Valencia who was involved in the lucrative trade of silk and spices with the Italian city-states.

As the Spanish Empire expanded its reach across the globe, the SOCO surname also spread to the Americas and other territories. One of the earliest documented instances of the name in the New World can be found in the records of the Spanish settlement of Santo Domingo, where a certain Miguel Soco is listed as a landowner in 1521.

Throughout the centuries, the SOCO surname has been associated with various notable figures, including:

1. Diego Soco (c. 1520-1585), a Spanish soldier and explorer who accompanied Hernán Cortés on his expedition to conquer Mexico.
2. Juana Soco (c. 1550-1620), a renowned writer and poet from Seville, widely regarded as one of the most influential literary figures of the Spanish Golden Age.
3. Tomás Soco (1670-1732), a Spanish architect and engineer who designed several prominent churches and public buildings in Madrid and Toledo.
4. María Soco (1785-1863), a renowned painter from Barcelona, known for her vibrant portraits and landscapes that captured the essence of Catalan culture.
5. Rafael Soco (1890-1972), a celebrated Spanish composer and conductor who made significant contributions to the development of modern classical music in Spain.

While the SOCO surname has its roots in Spain, it has since spread to various parts of the world, including Latin America, where it remains a prevalent surname in countries like Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. However, the historical origins and significance of this surname can be traced back to its beginnings on the Iberian Peninsula, where it emerged as a reflection of the rich cultural and linguistic heritage of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Soco

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

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

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

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