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

Tlatoa, 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 Tlatoa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tlatoa in America

Tlatoa is the 154907th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tlatoa surname appeared 105 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 Tlatoa.

The history of the last name Tlatoa

The surname TLATOA originates from Nahuatl, the language of the Aztec civilization in what is now central Mexico. It dates back to the 14th century, during the height of the Aztec Empire. The name is derived from the Nahuatl word "tlatoani," which means "speaker" or "ruler."

TLATOA is believed to have been a title or designation given to individuals who served as orators, advisors, or leaders within the Aztec society. They were respected for their eloquence, wisdom, and ability to communicate effectively with the people.

Early records of the name can be found in codices and hieroglyphic texts from the Aztec era. One notable example is the Codex Mendoza, a 16th-century manuscript that documented the history, customs, and tributes of the Aztec people.

The first recorded individual with the surname TLATOA was Tlacahuepan Tlatoa, who lived in the late 14th century and served as a high-ranking advisor to the Aztec ruler Huitzilihuitl. Another prominent figure was Itzcoatl Tlatoa, a skilled orator and military strategist who became the fourth ruler of the Aztec Triple Alliance in 1428.

During the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century, several individuals with the surname TLATOA were mentioned in accounts by Spanish chroniclers, such as Bernal Díaz del Castillo and Hernán Cortés.

In the colonial era, the name TLATOA continued to be used among the descendants of the Aztec nobility and elite classes. One notable figure was Juan Tlatoa y Peñaloza (1585-1657), a prominent landowner and administrator in New Spain (present-day Mexico).

Another individual of historical significance was María Tlatoa (1708-1781), a respected healer and midwife in the town of Cuernavaca, known for her extensive knowledge of traditional Aztec medicinal practices.

Throughout the centuries, the surname TLATOA has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, including politics, academia, and the arts. Some examples include:

1. Xochitl Tlatoa (1912-1998), a renowned Mexican sculptor and painter known for her works depicting indigenous themes.
2. Ernesto Tlatoa (1923-2005), a celebrated Mexican novelist and essayist whose works explored issues of identity and cultural heritage.
3. Alejandro Tlatoa (1947-2018), a influential Mexican politician and diplomat who served as the Ambassador to the United Nations from 1994 to 1999.
4. Yaretzi Tlatoa (born 1982), a contemporary Mexican academic and author who has written extensively on Aztec history and culture.
5. Cuauhtémoc Tlatoa (born 1975), a renowned Mexican chef and restaurateur who has helped popularize traditional Aztec cuisine both nationally and internationally.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tlatoa

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

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

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

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