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

Tongco, 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 Tongco surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tongco in America

Tongco is the 110286th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tongco surname appeared 160 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 Tongco.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tongco 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 Tongco

The surname TONGCO is of Filipino origin, tracing its roots back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have originated from the Tagalog word "tongko," which means "lump" or "protrusion," possibly referring to a physical characteristic or a geographic feature associated with the name's earliest bearers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the TONGCO surname can be found in the baptismal records of the Archdiocese of Manila, dating back to the late 1500s. During this period, many Filipinos adopted Spanish surnames, either voluntarily or as part of the Spanish colonial policy of enforcing the use of surnames.

The TONGCO name has been particularly prevalent in the Visayan region of the Philippines, including the islands of Cebu, Bohol, and Leyte. Some records suggest that the name may have been derived from an older place name or a variant spelling of a local town or village.

In the 18th century, a notable figure bearing the TONGCO surname was Pedro TONGCO, a respected local leader and landowner in the town of Bogo, Cebu. He played a significant role in the community's governance and was recognized for his contributions to the region's development.

Another prominent individual with the TONGCO surname was Catalina TONGCO, who lived in the mid-19th century. She was a respected matriarch and landowner in the town of Argao, Cebu, and was known for her philanthropic efforts in supporting local churches and educational institutions.

In the early 20th century, Juan TONGCO gained recognition as a skilled architect and builder in the city of Cebu. He was responsible for the design and construction of several notable structures, including the Cebu Provincial Capitol Building, which still stands as an iconic landmark today.

Rosario TONGCO, born in 1912, was a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights in the Philippines. She founded several schools and educational programs, promoting equal access to education for women and girls in rural communities.

Manuel TONGCO, born in 1925, was a celebrated writer and poet from Cebu City. His works, which explored themes of love, nature, and the beauty of the Filipino culture, earned him numerous literary awards and recognition both nationally and internationally.

While the TONGCO surname may not be as widely recognized globally as some other Filipino surnames, it holds a rich history and cultural significance within the Philippines, particularly in the Visayan region. The name's enduring presence over centuries serves as a testament to the resilience and contributions of its bearers to the country's heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tongco

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

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

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

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