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

Tlapa, 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 Tlapa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tlapa in America

Tlapa is the 80926th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tlapa surname appeared 234 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 Tlapa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tlapa 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 Tlapa

The surname "TLAPA" is believed to have originated in Mexico during the pre-Columbian era. It is derived from the Nahuatl language, spoken by the Aztecs and other indigenous groups in central Mexico. The word "tlapa" means "burnt" or "scorched" in Nahuatl, possibly referring to a physical feature or characteristic associated with the name's earliest bearers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "TLAPA" can be found in the Codex Mendoza, a 16th-century Aztec codex that served as a census and tax record for the Spanish colonial authorities. The codex mentions several individuals with the surname "TLAPA" residing in various regions of the Aztec Empire.

During the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the 16th century, many indigenous Mexicans adopted Spanish surnames or had their names altered to reflect Spanish phonetics and spelling. It is possible that the spelling "TLAPA" emerged as a result of this cultural exchange and assimilation process.

In the 17th century, a prominent figure named Juan TLAPA was noted as a skilled artisan and potter in the city of Puebla, renowned for his intricate ceramic designs and techniques. His works were highly sought after by the Spanish colonial elite and can be found in various museums and private collections today.

Another notable individual with the surname "TLAPA" was María TLAPA, a respected healer and midwife in the 18th century. She was renowned for her extensive knowledge of traditional Mexican herbal remedies and played a vital role in the community's healthcare during a time when access to modern medicine was limited.

In the 19th century, Pedro TLAPA was a influential educator and advocate for indigenous rights. He established several schools in rural areas, promoting literacy and cultural preservation among the indigenous populations of Mexico. His efforts were recognized by the Mexican government, and he received several honors for his contributions.

During the Mexican Revolution in the early 20th century, a military leader named Josefina TLAPA played a significant role in the fight for independence and social reform. She commanded a battalion of soldiers and was known for her bravery and strategic leadership on the battlefield.

Throughout history, the surname "TLAPA" has been associated with various regions and communities in Mexico, particularly in the central and southern parts of the country. While its origins can be traced back to the pre-Columbian era, the name has endured and adapted over centuries, carrying the rich cultural heritage and resilience of the indigenous Mexican people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tlapa

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

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

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

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