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

Terraza, 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 Terraza surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Terraza in America

Terraza is the 62531st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Terraza surname appeared 320 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 Terraza.

We can also compare 2010 data for Terraza 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 Terraza

The surname Terraza is believed to have originated in Spain, specifically in the regions of Catalonia and Valencia. It is derived from the Spanish word "terraza," which means "terrace" or "flat roof." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with a person who lived near or owned a property with a notable terrace or flat roof.

The earliest known record of the surname Terraza dates back to the 14th century, appearing in various historical documents and manuscripts from the Iberian Peninsula. One notable mention is found in the "Llibre de Repartiment," a record of land distribution during the reconquest of Valencia in the 13th century, where the name Terraza is listed among the recipients of land grants.

In the 15th century, a prominent figure named Juan Terraza was a respected merchant and landowner in the city of Barcelona. Historical records indicate that he was involved in international trade and owned several properties within the city limits.

During the 16th century, the Terraza surname began to spread beyond its origins in Catalonia and Valencia. One notable individual was Alonso Terraza, a Spanish explorer and navigator who accompanied several expeditions to the New World. He was born in Seville in 1520 and is known for his contributions to the exploration and mapping of the Caribbean islands.

In the 17th century, a branch of the Terraza family settled in the Canary Islands, where they became influential landowners and merchants. One of the most notable members was Juana Terraza, born in 1635 in Las Palmas, who played a significant role in the development of the local wine industry.

The 18th century saw the emergence of Francisco Terraza, a renowned Spanish architect and urban planner. Born in Zaragoza in 1712, he is credited with designing several iconic buildings and public spaces in the city, many of which featured prominent terraces and flat roofs, reflecting the origin of his surname.

As the Terraza surname continued to spread throughout Spain and its territories, it also made its way to other parts of the world. In the 19th century, a notable individual named Manuel Terraza emigrated from Spain to Argentina, where he became a successful businessman and landowner in the province of Córdoba.

Throughout its history, the surname Terraza has been associated with various professions, including architecture, commerce, exploration, and landholding. While its origins can be traced back to specific regions in Spain, the name has since spread globally, reflecting the migration patterns and cultural influences of the Spanish diaspora.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Terraza

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

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

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

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