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

Terrazas, 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 Terrazas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Terrazas in America

Terrazas is the 3378th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Terrazas surname appeared 10,569 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 4 people would have the surname Terrazas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Terrazas 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 Terrazas

The surname Terrazas is of Spanish origin, tracing its roots back to the Iberian Peninsula during the medieval period. It is derived from the Spanish word "terraza," which means "terrace" or "flat roof." This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals who lived in houses or buildings with terraces or flat rooftops, a common architectural feature in many parts of Spain.

One of the earliest documented mentions of the Terrazas surname can be found in the medieval Spanish records from the 13th century. These records indicate that the name was present in various regions of Spain, including Catalonia, Aragon, and Castile. The spelling variations included "Terrazas," "Terraza," and "Terraces."

During the 15th and 16th centuries, as the Spanish Empire expanded across the Americas, individuals bearing the Terrazas surname accompanied the conquistadors and colonists to the New World. Records from this period show that the name became well-established in various parts of Latin America, particularly in Mexico, where the family name gained prominence.

One notable figure from this era was Francisco de Terrazas, a Spanish conquistador who accompanied Hernán Cortés in the conquest of Mexico in the early 16th century. He played a significant role in the subjugation of the Aztec Empire and later settled in the region, establishing a lineage that would continue to bear the Terrazas name for generations.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Terrazas family gained considerable influence and wealth in Mexico, primarily through their involvement in mining and agriculture. One prominent member was José de Terrazas, born in 1688, who established a vast hacienda and mining empire in the northern state of Chihuahua, which became known as the "Terrazas Dynasty."

Another notable figure was Luis Terrazas, born in 1829, who was a wealthy landowner and businessman in Chihuahua. He played a crucial role in the development of the region's infrastructure and was a prominent figure in Mexican politics during the late 19th century.

Throughout history, the Terrazas surname has been associated with various places and landmarks, such as the Hacienda de Terrazas in Chihuahua, Mexico, and the Terrazas de los Reyes Católicos (Terraces of the Catholic Monarchs) in Granada, Spain, a historic site dating back to the 15th century.

While the examples provided cover a broad timeframe and geographical range, it is important to note that the surname Terrazas has been present in many other regions and has undoubtedly produced numerous other individuals of historical significance throughout its long history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Terrazas

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

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

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

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