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

Villanueva, 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 Villanueva surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Villanueva in America

Villanueva is the 86645th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Villanueva surname appeared 215 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 Villanueva.

We can also compare 2010 data for Villanueva 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 Villanueva

The surname Villanueva originates from Spain and is derived from the Spanish phrase "villa nueva," meaning "new town." It is believed to have emerged as a surname during the Middle Ages, when it was common practice to adopt surnames based on one's place of origin or residence.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Villanueva can be traced back to the 13th century in various regions of Spain, such as Andalusia, Castile, and Aragon. The name was likely given to individuals who resided in or were associated with newly established settlements or villages.

In the 14th century, the Villanueva surname appeared in historical records and manuscripts, including the "Libro de la Montería" (Book of the Hunt), a hunting treatise commissioned by King Alfonso XI of Castile in the early 14th century. This document mentions several individuals with the surname Villanueva, suggesting the widespread use of the name during that time period.

One notable figure bearing the surname Villanueva was Diego de Villanueva, a Spanish conquistador who participated in the conquest of Mexico alongside Hernán Cortés in the early 16th century. He played a significant role in the fall of the Aztec Empire and the establishment of Spanish rule in the region.

Another prominent individual with the surname Villanueva was Juan de Villanueva (1739-1811), a renowned Spanish architect and urban planner. He was responsible for designing several important buildings in Madrid, including the Prado Museum and the Royal Observatory.

In the 17th century, the surname Villanueva was also found in other Spanish-speaking regions, such as Mexico and the Philippines, as a result of Spanish colonization and migration. One example is Miguel de Villanueva (1644-1728), a Spanish-Mexican architect and engineer who contributed to the construction of numerous churches and buildings in Mexico City.

The surname Villanueva has also been associated with various place names throughout Spain, including Villanueva de Córdoba, Villanueva del Arzobispo, and Villanueva de Castellón, among others. These place names often reflect the establishment of new settlements or the relocation of existing communities during different historical periods.

While the surname Villanueva has its origins in Spain, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. Individuals bearing this surname can be found in various countries, including the United States, Mexico, and other Latin American nations, as well as in countries with significant Spanish heritage or influence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Villanueva

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

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

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

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