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

Valderrama, 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 Valderrama surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Valderrama in America

Valderrama is the 12652nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Valderrama surname appeared 2,445 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Valderrama.

We can also compare 2010 data for Valderrama 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 Valderrama

The surname Valderrama is of Spanish origin and can be traced back to the 14th century. It is derived from the Spanish phrase "Valle de Rama," which translates to "Valley of the Branch." This suggests that the name's origins are likely tied to a geographical location, such as a valley or a region known for its abundance of branches or vegetation.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Valderrama can be found in the Spanish regions of Andalusia and Extremadura, where it was predominantly used by families residing in rural areas or small villages. The name's spelling has remained relatively consistent throughout history, with minor variations like "Valderrama" and "Valderramá" appearing in some historical documents.

One notable historical reference to the surname Valderrama is found in the archives of the Spanish Inquisition, where several individuals bearing this name were documented during the 15th and 16th centuries. These records provide valuable insights into the lives and experiences of those who carried the Valderrama surname during that turbulent period in Spanish history.

Among the prominent figures who have carried the Valderrama surname throughout history, the following individuals stand out:

1. Gaspar de Valderrama (c. 1500-1568), a Spanish theologian and philosopher who played a significant role in the Counter-Reformation.
2. Pedro de Valderrama (1554-1629), a Spanish Baroque painter known for his religious works and portraits.
3. Juan de Valderrama (1645-1712), a Spanish military officer and colonial administrator who served as the governor of Panama and Guatemala.
4. José María Valderrama (1764-1832), a Venezuelan military leader and politician who played a crucial role in the Venezuelan War of Independence.
5. Carlos Valderrama (born 1961), a Colombian former professional footballer who represented his country in several World Cup tournaments and is considered one of the greatest players in Colombian history.

While the surname Valderrama has its roots in Spain, it has also gained prominence in other Spanish-speaking countries due to migration and colonial expansion. The name can be found in regions such as Latin America, where it has been adopted and integrated into local cultures, further enriching its historical significance and diversity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Valderrama

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

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

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

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