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

Velástegui, 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 Velástegui surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Velástegui in America

Velástegui is the 51281st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Velástegui surname appeared 406 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 Velástegui.

We can also compare 2010 data for Velástegui 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 Velástegui

The surname Velastegui is of Spanish origin, tracing its roots back to the regions of Spain during the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a toponymic surname, deriving from the name of a specific place or town.

One theory suggests that the name Velastegui may have originated from the Spanish word "vela," meaning "sail" or "candle," combined with the suffix "stegui," which could be a variation of the Spanish word "estegui," meaning "case" or "container." This combination could potentially allude to a place associated with sailmaking or candlemaking activities.

Alternatively, the name may have evolved from a more specific place name, such as a village or town in Spain, although the exact location remains uncertain. It is common for surnames to originate from the names of small settlements or geographical features, particularly in rural areas.

In terms of historical records, the earliest known mention of the surname Velastegui can be traced back to the 16th century in Spain. One notable individual was Juan de Velastegui, a Spanish nobleman and military officer who served during the reign of King Philip II in the late 1500s.

Another prominent figure with the surname Velastegui was Alonso Velastegui, a Spanish explorer and navigator who participated in several expeditions to the Americas during the early 17th century. He is credited with contributing to the mapping and exploration of certain regions in South America.

In the realm of literature, the name Velastegui appears in the works of Miguel de Cervantes, the renowned Spanish author and creator of the iconic novel "Don Quixote." In one of his plays, a character named Velastegui is mentioned, suggesting the surname's familiarity within Spanish society during the Golden Age of Spanish literature.

Another notable figure was María Velastegui, a Spanish noblewoman and benefactor who lived in the late 17th century. She is remembered for her philanthropic efforts and contributions to the establishment of educational institutions in her hometown.

Additionally, the surname Velastegui can be found in historical records from various regions of Latin America, particularly in countries with strong Spanish colonial influences, such as Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador. This suggests that individuals bearing the surname may have migrated from Spain to these regions during the colonial period, carrying the name with them.

While the exact origins and meaning of the surname Velastegui remain somewhat uncertain, its presence throughout Spanish and Latin American history reflects its enduring legacy as a distinctive surname with roots deeply embedded in the cultural and linguistic traditions of the Spanish-speaking world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Velástegui

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

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

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

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