Toranzo
A surname of Spanish origin signifying someone from Toranzo, a municipality in Cantabria.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 411 Americans carry the last name Toranzo. That puts it at #55,962 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.12 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 833,952 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Toranzo surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
411
1 in 833,952
Census rank
#55,962
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
366
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 366 bearers of the surname Toranzo in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 55962nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Toranzo, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 85.3%. The next largest groups are White (13.4%) and Black (1.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Toranzo
The surname Toranzo has its origins in Spain, specifically in the northern region of Cantabria. It is believed to have derived from the name of a small town or village called Toranzo, located in the Valles Pasiegos area of Cantabria. The name itself is thought to have its roots in the Cantabrian dialect, possibly originating from a pre-Roman word or phrase related to the local topography or landscape.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Toranzo name can be found in the Becerro de las Behetrías, a medieval document from the 14th century that listed various towns, villages, and their respective landowners or lords. This document suggests that the Toranzo surname was already well-established in the region by that time.
During the 15th century, a notable figure named Juan de Toranzo (c. 1420-1490) was a prominent architect and master builder who contributed to several important construction projects in Spain, including the Cathedral of Burgos and the Monastery of Santa María de Huerta.
In the 16th century, Francisco de Toranzo (c. 1510-1585) was a respected Spanish mathematician and cosmographer who worked for the House of Trade in Seville. He published several works related to navigation and cartography, which were influential during the Age of Exploration.
Another individual of note was Rodrigo de Toranzo (c. 1570-1630), a Spanish soldier and adventurer who participated in various military campaigns and expeditions in the Americas during the early colonial period. He is said to have been involved in the conquest of Chile and the exploration of the Amazon River basin.
In the 18th century, a renowned painter named Antonio de Toranzo (1720-1788) gained recognition for his religious and historical paintings, which adorned numerous churches and monasteries throughout Spain.
While the Toranzo surname is primarily associated with Spain and its former territories, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and immigration. However, the historical records and notable figures mentioned above provide insights into the rich heritage and origins of this surname within the Spanish context.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Toranzo
Among Census respondents with the surname Toranzo, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 85.3%. The next largest groups are White (13.4%) and Black (1.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Toranzo bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Toranzo surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Hispanic or Latino85.3%
- White13.4%
- Black or African American1.4%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Toranzo surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #67,725 | #55,962 | 17.4% |
| Count | 272 | 366 | 34.6% |
| Per 100K | 0.10 | 0.12 | 20.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Toranzo bearers went from 272 to 366 (+34.6% change). The surname moved up 11,763 positions in the national ranking, going from #67,725 to #55,962.
FAQ
Toranzo surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Toranzo?
The surname Toranzo holds position #55,962 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 411 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Toranzo surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Toranzo, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 85.3%. The next largest groups are White (13.4%) and Black (1.4%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.