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

Xiquin, 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 Xiquin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Xiquin in America

Xiquin is the 148347th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Xiquin surname appeared 111 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 Xiquin.

The history of the last name Xiquin

The surname Xiquin has its origins in the highland regions of Guatemala, particularly among the indigenous Maya people. The timeframe for the origin of this surname is pre-Columbian, dating back to the classical period of the Maya civilization, around 200 AD to 900 AD. The name Xiquin is derived from ancient K'iche' Maya language, where it means "he who has spirit," indicative of a respected position within the community.

The Xiquin surname was historically prevalent in the areas now known as Chichicastenango and Quetzaltenango, significant urban centers for the K'iche' Maya kingdom. Chichicastenango, a town known for its vibrant indigenous culture, has historical records that include mention of the Xiquin family among its notable inhabitants. These records highlight their role in religious and social structures of the Maya society.

One of the earliest documented instances of the surname Xiquin appears in the Popol Vuh, an ancient K'iche' text that is often referred to as the Maya Bible. This manuscript, which was transcribed in the 16th century but recounts far older stories and genealogies, includes references to leaders and warriors from the Xiquin family. The Popol Vuh is a rich source that places the Xiquin name within the broader narrative of Maya history.

The earliest recorded individual bearing the surname Xiquin dates back to the 14th century. Xiquin Kay, a notable Maya leader, was born around 1380 and played a crucial role in the K'iche' resistance against other competing Maya city-states. His leadership and tactics are commemorated in oral histories and later, in colonial records written by Spanish chroniclers who documented indigenous histories.

One can find the name listed in the Spanish colonial records as well. Domingo Xiquin, an important figure in the early 17th century, is noted as having converted to Christianity while maintaining a leadership role within his native community in Chichicastenango. Records from 1607 mention Domingo Xiquin's invaluable assistance to the Spanish missionaries in bridging cultural gaps.

In the 18th century, Xiquin Mendez appears in the annals of local governance. Born in 1712, Mendez was a prominent leader who facilitated agricultural advancements in his homeland. His contributions are still celebrated in local folklore and remembered through annual harvest festivals in Quetzaltenango.

During the 19th century, Xiquin Gonzalez, born in 1835, stood out for his scholarly work on documenting traditional Maya rituals and practices. His extensive notes and manuscripts are preserved in the National Library of Guatemala, offering invaluable insights into the cultural heritage of the Maya people.

In the early 20th century, Xiquin Ixim, born in 1902, emerged as a revolutionary figure promoting the rights of indigenous Guatemalans. Ixim's efforts were pivotal during the sociopolitical movements of the 1920s and 1930s, and he is remembered as a national hero for his relentless advocacy for indigenous rights.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Xiquin

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!