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

Yanza, 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 Yanza surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yanza in America

Yanza is the 70403rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yanza surname appeared 278 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 Yanza.

The history of the last name Yanza

The surname Yanza has its origins traced back to Spain, specifically during the medieval period around the 12th century. The name likely emerged from regions such as Castile or Aragon, areas known for their rich historical and cultural significance. It is believed that Yanza could be derived from an old Castilian word or might have connections to ancient Basque roots, considering the phonetic structure and suffix of the name.

In terms of etymology, the name Yanza may be linked to common Spanish suffixes like "anza" which denotes a characteristic or a place. As Spain was under various influences, the evolution of this name could also reflect blended linguistic elements from Visigothic or Roman origins. Given its rarity, comparable forms or similar spellings across documents have not frequently surfaced, but its unique form indicates specificity to certain lineages or locales.

Historical references to the surname Yanza are sparse but significant. The name appeared in an old Castilian record from 1182, where a nobleman named Pedro de Yanza was granted land. This provides one of the earliest written instances of the surname in official documentation. Additionally, medieval manuscripts from the cathedral of Zaragoza mention a Don Alonso Yanza who contributed to ecclesiastical councils in the mid-13th century.

A notable bearer of the surname is Diego Yanza, a knight under the rule of King Alfonso X of Castile, born circa 1240 and died in 1292. His prominence in military campaigns during the Reconquista and his involvement in the Siete Partidas, a comprehensive legal code of the era, illustrate the sociopolitical influence of individuals with the Yanza surname during medieval times.

Another prominent figure was Isabel de Yanza, a Spanish noblewoman born in 1373 who was known for her patronage of Valencia’s arts and education. She passed away in 1449, leaving behind a legacy of cultural enrichment and extensive correspondence that offers insight into the societal roles of women in her era.

During the Renaissance, Bernardino Yanza, an explorer and cartographer (born 1523, died 1598), significantly contributed to the mapping of the New World, participating in early expeditions to the Americas. His detailed maps and accounts offered valuable information to European navigators and settlers.

Records from the early 17th century mention Francisco Yanza, a reputable merchant from Seville who played a crucial role in the maritime trade between Spain and its colonies. Born in 1580 and passed in 1654, Francisco's commercial activities were pivotal in establishing the economic linkages that supported the Age of Exploration era.

The surname further appears in the 18th-century documents with Father Luis Yanza, a missionary in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. Born in 1676 and died in 1735, Father Luis' endeavors in spreading Catholicism and establishing educational institutions are noteworthy, revealing the surname’s reach beyond the Spanish mainland.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yanza

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

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Yanza, 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!