Yarza last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Yarza

A surname originating from the Basque Country, possibly referring to place names or locales.

Yarza, 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 Yarza surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yarza in America

Yarza is the 146201st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yarza surname appeared 113 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 Yarza.

The history of the last name Yarza

The surname Yarza has its roots in the Basque Country, an autonomous community straddling the borders of northern Spain and southwestern France. The Basque region, known for its ancient and unique language, has a rich historical tapestry that dates back several millennia. The name Yarza is believed to originate from the Basque language, although its exact etymological roots are somewhat obscure, likely derived from old Basque words related to geographic features or occupations.

Earliest records of the surname Yarza can be found in documents from the medieval period, particularly from the 12th and 13th centuries. The Basque region was well-documented during this time due to its strategic importance and robust local governance. One notable early reference is from a 1242 municipal record detailing a land grant to a local figure bearing the surname Yarza. This document highlights the name’s historical presence in the region.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Yarza is Pedro de Yarza, a notable figure in the 14th century. He was mentioned in a 1365 charter regarding the construction of defensive walls in the town of San Sebastián, an important coastal city in the Basque Country. Pedro de Yarza's involvement in this project underscores the name's association with regional development and governance.

In the 16th century, the name appears again with Francisco Yarza, a prominent Basque merchant born around 1530. Francisco played a significant role in trade between the Basque Country and other regions of Europe, particularly England and the Netherlands, showcasing the reach and influence of the Yarza name beyond the local boundaries.

Another significant figure is María de Yarza, born in 1624 in the town of Guernica, an area with deep cultural significance to the Basque people. María de Yarza was known for her patronage of the arts and her contributions to preserving Basque folklore and traditions. Her support for local musicians and poets helps highlight the cultural impact of the Yarza family in the realm of Basque heritage.

In the 18th century, Juan Antonio Yarza, born in 1717, became a known political figure within the Basque Country. He served as a local magistrate and was involved in several key legal reforms that aimed to modernize the region's governance. His work further cemented the reputation of the Yarza family in local leadership.

By the 19th century, the surname's prominence continued with individuals like Ignacio Yarza, born in 1843, who became a noted scholar of Basque language and history. Ignacio's research and publications contributed significantly to the academic understanding of Basque culture and the linguistic complexities of the region. His work ensured that the surname Yarza remains associated with intellectual and cultural endeavors.

Throughout its history, the surname Yarza has been linked to various aspects of Basque society, from politics and trade to culture and academia. The name has consistently represented a lineage of influence and contribution to the development of the Basque Country, reflecting a rich heritage that spans several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yarza

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

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 Yarza was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 15.04% 17
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 0.00% 0
Hispanic Origin 82.30% 93

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

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

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"Yarza last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/yarza-surname-popularity/.

"Yarza last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/yarza-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 November, 2024

Yarza last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/yarza-surname-popularity/.

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