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

Tumbaga, 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 Tumbaga surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tumbaga in America

Tumbaga is the 55121st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tumbaga surname appeared 373 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 Tumbaga.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tumbaga 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 Tumbaga

The surname TUMBAGA is believed to have originated in South America, specifically in the region of modern-day Colombia and Ecuador, during the pre-Columbian era. It is derived from the Muisca language term "tumbaga," which refers to a natural alloy of gold and copper that was highly prized by indigenous cultures in the region.

The earliest known references to the name TUMBAGA can be found in Spanish colonial records from the 16th and 17th centuries, documenting interactions between Spanish conquistadors and local indigenous populations. It is likely that the surname was initially adopted by indigenous individuals who came into contact with the Spanish colonizers and assimilated into their cultural and administrative systems.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname TUMBAGA was Juan de Tumbaga, a renowned goldsmith and metalworker who lived in the city of Quito, Ecuador, in the late 16th century. His intricate works in tumbaga alloy were highly sought after by Spanish nobility and church officials, and his skill in metalworking helped preserve aspects of pre-Columbian artistic traditions.

Another notable figure bearing the surname TUMBAGA was Pedro de Tumbaga, a prominent cacique (indigenous leader) who played a crucial role in the early resistance against Spanish colonization in the region of present-day Colombia. He led a series of uprisings against Spanish forces in the late 16th century, ultimately being captured and executed in 1598.

In the 17th century, Maria de Tumbaga, a renowned herbalist and healer from the region of modern-day Ecuador, gained recognition for her extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and traditional remedies. Her teachings and practices were widely respected and sought after by both indigenous and Spanish communities.

During the colonial period, the surname TUMBAGA was also associated with several prominent families in the region, some of whom held positions of influence and authority within the Spanish colonial administration. One such family was the Tumbaga de Velasco, a wealthy and influential clan based in Quito, who were known for their extensive landholdings and involvement in trade and politics.

As the centuries passed, the surname TUMBAGA spread across various regions of South America, carried by descendants of the original bearers and those who adopted the name through marriage or other means. Today, it remains a recognizable surname in parts of Colombia, Ecuador, and neighboring countries, serving as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of the tumbaga alloy in pre-Columbian civilizations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tumbaga

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

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

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

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