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

Villagrana, 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 Villagrana surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Villagrana in America

Villagrana is the 10258th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Villagrana surname appeared 3,142 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 Villagrana.

We can also compare 2010 data for Villagrana 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 Villagrana

The surname Villagrana originates from Spain, tracing its roots back to the medieval era. It is believed to be derived from the Spanish words "villa," meaning town or village, and "grana," referring to the bright crimson dye extracted from the kermes insect. This combination suggests that the name may have been associated with a town or region renowned for its production or trade of this valuable dye.

The earliest known records of the Villagrana name appear in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries, particularly in regions such as Andalusia and Castile. During this period, surnames were often derived from occupations, geographic locations, or distinctive physical characteristics, reflecting the naming conventions of that era.

One notable historical figure bearing the Villagrana surname was Juan de Villagrana, a Spanish conquistador who participated in the conquest of Mexico alongside Hernán Cortés in the 16th century. He played a significant role in the subjugation of the Aztec Empire and was rewarded with land grants in the newly conquered territories.

Another prominent individual was Pedro de Villagrana, a Spanish military officer and explorer who led expeditions into present-day New Mexico and Texas in the late 16th century. His explorations contributed to the expansion of Spanish influence in the region and the establishment of settlements along the Rio Grande.

In the realm of literature, Miguel de Villagrana, a 17th-century Spanish poet and playwright, gained recognition for his contribution to the Golden Age of Spanish literature. His works, including plays and poems, were widely celebrated during his lifetime and provided valuable insights into the cultural and social landscapes of that era.

The Villagrana name also appeared in the historical records of Spain's colonial territories in the Americas. Notably, Francisco de Villagrana was a influential landowner and cattle rancher in the region that is now modern-day Mexico during the 17th century, playing a significant role in the development of the colonial economy.

While the Villagrana surname has its origins in Spain, it has since spread to various parts of the world, particularly Latin American countries with strong Spanish colonial influences. Over the centuries, the name has undergone slight variations in spelling, including Villagrána and Villagran, but its core meaning and association with the Spanish heritage have remained intact.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Villagrana

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

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

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

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