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

Valasco, 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 Valasco surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Valasco in America

Valasco is the 61436th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Valasco surname appeared 327 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 Valasco.

We can also compare 2010 data for Valasco 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 Valasco

The surname Valasco has its origins in Spain, emerging during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Spanish word "valasco," which means "of the valley." This suggests that the name may have initially been used to identify individuals who resided in or near a particular valley region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Valasco surname can be found in the Becerro de Behetrias, a medieval Castilian manuscript dating back to the 14th century. This document lists several individuals bearing the name, indicating its presence in the region during that time.

In the 15th century, the Valasco name gained prominence through the influential Velasco family, a noble lineage that held significant power and influence in the Kingdom of Castile. Notable members of this family include Pedro Fernández de Velasco (1425-1492), who served as the Count of Haro and played a crucial role in the Reconquista, the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors.

The Valasco surname has also been associated with various place names throughout Spain. For instance, the town of Valasco in the province of Soria may have contributed to the surname's evolution. Additionally, the name may have derived from the Basque word "balatz," meaning "valley," further reinforcing its connection to geographic regions.

Another notable figure bearing the Valasco surname was Diego Fernández de Valasco (1499-1566), a Spanish Catholic prelate who served as the Bishop of Jaén and later as the Archbishop of Seville. His contributions to the Catholic Church and his involvement in the Spanish Inquisition have left a lasting impact on Spanish history.

In the 17th century, Juan Valasco y Santelices (1583-1660) gained recognition as a Spanish playwright and poet. His works, which included plays and poetry collections, reflected the literary and cultural trends of the Golden Age of Spanish literature.

As the Valasco surname spread beyond Spain, it also found its way to the Americas during the colonial era. Juan de Valasco (1561-1638), a Spanish conquistador and explorer, played a significant role in the exploration and settlement of present-day New Mexico in the early 17th century.

Throughout history, the Valasco surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including nobles, clergy, artists, and explorers. While the name's origins can be traced back to medieval Spain, its presence has extended far beyond its initial geographic boundaries, becoming a part of the rich tapestry of Spanish and Hispanic heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Valasco

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

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

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

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