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

Vivas, 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 Vivas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Vivas in America

Vivas is the 11466th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Vivas surname appeared 2,746 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 Vivas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Vivas 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 Vivas

The surname Vivas has its origins in the Spanish and Portuguese languages, with roots dating back to the medieval period. This name is believed to have derived from the Latin word "vivus," meaning "alive" or "living," suggesting a connection to vitality or a person's liveliness.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Vivas surname can be traced back to the 12th century, where it appeared in various historical documents from the Iberian Peninsula. It is believed that the name may have initially been used as a nickname or descriptive term for someone who displayed an energetic or vibrant personality.

During the Middle Ages, the Vivas surname was particularly prevalent in regions such as Catalonia, Aragon, and Valencia, where it was associated with noble families and prominent individuals. One notable figure from this era was Juan de Vivas, a 14th-century Spanish military commander who served under King Alfonso XI of Castile.

As the centuries passed, the Vivas name spread across the Iberian Peninsula and eventually made its way to the Americas during the age of exploration and colonization. In the 16th century, records show that several individuals with the surname Vivas were among the early Spanish settlers in the New World, particularly in regions like Mexico and Peru.

One prominent individual from this period was Juan de Vivas y Contreras, a 16th-century Spanish conquistador and explorer who participated in the conquest of Peru alongside Francisco Pizarro. He played a significant role in the establishment of Spanish settlements in South America.

Another notable figure was Francisco Vivas, a 17th-century Spanish missionary and linguist who worked among the indigenous communities in present-day Colombia. He is credited with contributing to the preservation of indigenous languages and cultures in the region.

In the 18th century, the Vivas surname gained further recognition with individuals such as José Vivas, a renowned Spanish painter and engraver whose works were highly acclaimed during the Baroque period.

As the name spread across the globe, it also found its way to other parts of the world, including regions like Italy and France, where variations of the spelling, such as Vivas or Vivas, emerged.

Throughout history, the Vivas surname has been associated with various fields, including military, exploration, religion, arts, and academia. Despite its widespread distribution, the name has maintained its connection to its Spanish and Portuguese roots, serving as a lasting legacy of the vibrant and energetic spirit embodied by those who bore this surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Vivas

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

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

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

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