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

Vargas, 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 Vargas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Vargas in America

Vargas is the 55505th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Vargas surname appeared 370 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 Vargas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Vargas 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 Vargas

The surname VARGAZ has its origins in the Spanish language, tracing its roots back to the Iberian Peninsula during the medieval period. It is believed to have emerged from the Castilian region of Spain, where it was likely derived from a combination of the words "varga" and "az," which can be loosely translated as "willow branch" or "willow tree."

In the early centuries of its existence, the VARGAZ surname was primarily concentrated in the northern regions of Spain, particularly in the provinces of Burgos and Santander. Historical records suggest that the name may have initially been associated with individuals who lived near or worked with willow trees, either as craftsmen or in agricultural settings.

One of the earliest documented references to the VARGAZ surname can be found in the Becerro de las Behetrías, a medieval census conducted in the 14th century during the reign of King Pedro I of Castile. This record includes several entries of individuals bearing the VARGAZ name, indicating their presence in various villages and townships across northern Spain.

In the 15th century, the VARGAZ surname gained further prominence with the rise of Juan Vargaz de Toledo (1430-1498), a renowned Spanish scholar and humanist. Born in Toledo, Juan Vargaz de Toledo played a significant role in the intellectual and cultural renaissance of his time, contributing to the fields of literature, philosophy, and education.

Another notable figure bearing the VARGAZ surname was Alonso Vargaz de Cervantes (1509-1569), a Spanish conquistador and explorer. He participated in several expeditions to the New World, including the conquest of Mexico, and served as a lieutenant under Hernán Cortés.

During the 16th century, the VARGAZ surname also appeared in various records related to the Spanish Inquisition. Bartolomé Vargaz (1520-1590), a priest from Seville, was accused of heresy and subjected to trial by the Inquisition, although he was eventually acquitted.

In the realm of art and culture, the VARGAZ surname was carried by Francisco Vargaz (1580-1650), a celebrated Spanish painter known for his religious works and portraits. His paintings can be found in various churches and museums throughout Spain.

As the centuries progressed, the VARGAZ surname continued to spread across the Iberian Peninsula and eventually found its way to Latin America through Spanish colonization and migration. Today, individuals bearing the VARGAZ surname can be found in various parts of the world, with significant populations in Spain, Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Vargas

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

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

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

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