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

Vaquera, 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 Vaquera surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Vaquera in America

Vaquera is the 13431st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Vaquera surname appeared 2,269 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 Vaquera.

We can also compare 2010 data for Vaquera 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 Vaquera

The surname Vaquera has its origins in Spain, derived from the Spanish word "vaquero," meaning "cowboy" or "cattle herder." The name likely emerged during the medieval period, when the occupation of tending cattle was a common and significant one in the rural regions of Spain.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Vaquera can be traced back to the 13th century, with references found in various municipal records and property deeds across the Iberian Peninsula. It is believed that the name was initially associated with individuals or families whose primary livelihood revolved around the herding and management of cattle.

In the 15th century, a notable figure named Juan Vaquera (1421-1487) gained recognition as a skilled artisan and sculptor, contributing to the embellishment of several churches and cathedrals in Andalusia. His intricate woodcarvings and stone sculptures showcased his artistic mastery and helped further establish the Vaquera name in the annals of Spanish history.

During the 16th century, the Vaquera surname appeared in various Spanish colonial records, indicating that some individuals bearing this name had ventured to the Americas as part of the Spanish exploration and settlement efforts. One such individual, Diego Vaquera (1532-1602), was a prominent rancher and landowner in what is now Mexico, owning vast tracts of land dedicated to cattle ranching.

In the 17th century, the Vaquera surname gained prominence in the literary realm with the publication of a celebrated work titled "La Vaquera de la Finojosa" by Luis de Góngora y Argote (1561-1627), a renowned Spanish poet and playwright. This work, which featured a character bearing the Vaquera name, contributed to the cultural significance and recognition of the surname.

Another notable figure was María Vaquera (1675-1742), a skilled weaver and textile artist from Valencia, whose intricate tapestries and rugs adorned the homes of many noble families and garnered international acclaim for her craftsmanship.

Throughout the centuries, the Vaquera surname has maintained its connection to the cattle-herding and ranching traditions of Spain, with many bearers of the name continuing to be involved in related industries and occupations. While the name may have spread to different regions and countries due to migration and immigration, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of Spain.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Vaquera

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

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

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

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