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

Villarroel, 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 Villarroel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Villarroel in America

Villarroel is the 22608th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Villarroel surname appeared 1,136 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 Villarroel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Villarroel 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 Villarroel

The surname Villarroel has its origins in Spain, where it can be traced back to the 15th century. It is believed to have originated from a place name, specifically a village or town called "Villa Roel." This place name itself is derived from the Latin words "villa," meaning village or estate, and "Roel," which was likely a personal name or surname.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Villarroel can be found in the archives of the Kingdom of Castile, dating back to the late 15th century. During this time, several individuals bearing the name Villarroel were mentioned in official documents and records.

In the 16th century, the Villarroel family gained prominence in Spain, particularly in the regions of Castile and León. Notable figures from this period include Gaspar de Villarroel (1587-1658), a Spanish writer and clergyman known for his works on moral and spiritual subjects.

As the Spanish Empire expanded, the surname Villarroel spread to other parts of the world, including the Americas. One significant figure was José Bernardo de Villarroel (1665-1728), a Spanish military officer and colonial administrator who served as the Governor of Chile from 1720 to 1724.

In the 18th century, the Villarroel family continued to hold influential positions in various fields. One notable member was Tomás de Villarroel (1737-1805), a Spanish mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics.

The 19th century saw the emergence of another prominent figure bearing the Villarroel name, José María Villarroel (1808-1885), a Bolivian military officer and politician who served as the President of Bolivia from 1865 to 1871.

As the centuries passed, the Villarroel surname continued to be carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, both in Spain and across the Spanish-speaking world. Some notable examples from the 20th century include Enrique Villarroel (1915-1995), a Peruvian composer and musician, and José Manuel Villarroel (1928-2010), a Venezuelan writer and poet.

Overall, the surname Villarroel has a rich historical legacy, spanning multiple centuries and regions, with its roots firmly planted in the Spanish language and culture. It has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including writers, military leaders, politicians, scientists, and artists, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and historical tapestry of Spain and the broader Hispanic world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Villarroel

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

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

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

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