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

Vergaray, 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 Vergaray surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Vergaray in America

Vergaray is the 121590th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Vergaray surname appeared 142 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 Vergaray.

The history of the last name Vergaray

The surname Vergaray is of Spanish origin, dating back to the 15th century. It is believed to have originated in the region of Castile, specifically in the town of Vergara, located in the Basque Country. The name itself is a combination of two words: "verg" derived from the Latin "virga," meaning a branch or rod, and "ara," which means an altar or a place of worship.

In its earliest known records, the name appeared as "Vergara," which was likely the original spelling before it evolved into Vergaray over time. This transition in spelling is not uncommon, as surnames often underwent various changes due to regional dialects, misspellings, or personal preferences.

One of the earliest documented instances of the name Vergaray can be found in the archives of the town of Vergara itself, where a nobleman named Juan de Vergaray was mentioned in a land deed dated 1487. This record suggests that the Vergaray family held a prominent position in the area during that time period.

Another notable figure was Francisco de Vergaray, a Spanish conquistador who participated in the conquest of Mexico alongside Hernán Cortés in the 16th century. Born in 1492 in Vergara, he played a crucial role in the subjugation of the Aztec Empire and later settled in the region now known as Veracruz, where he established a family line that continues to this day.

In the 17th century, a woman named María de Vergaray gained recognition for her literary works, particularly her poetry and plays. Born in 1610 in Madrid, she was a member of the literary circles of the time and is considered one of the earliest female writers in Spanish literature.

During the 18th century, a renowned artist named Javier Vergaray y Díaz emerged from the town of Vergara. His realistic paintings and portraits captured the attention of the Spanish aristocracy, and he was commissioned to create works for various noble families and the royal court.

In the 19th century, a distinguished military leader named Pedro Vergaray y Mendoza rose to prominence during the Carlist Wars in Spain. Born in 1798 in Vergara, he fought valiantly for the Carlist cause and was awarded numerous honors for his bravery and strategic leadership on the battlefield.

While the surname Vergaray has its roots in Spain, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to immigration and the Spanish colonial influence. However, the earliest and most significant historical references to this surname can be traced back to its origins in the Basque region of Spain, where it has left an indelible mark on the local history and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Vergaray

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

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 Vergaray 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.

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

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

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