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

Ycaza, 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 Ycaza surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ycaza in America

Ycaza is the 86005th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ycaza surname appeared 217 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 Ycaza.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ycaza 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 Ycaza

The surname Ycaza finds its origins in the Basque Country, an autonomous community straddling the border between northern Spain and southwestern France. Emerging in medieval times, the name is believed to have derived from the Basque word "ikatz," which means "coal" or "charcoal" in English. This terminology suggests that the bearers of the surname might have been involved in or lived near regions associated with coal production or charcoal burning. Variants of the name and older spellings often include "Icaza" or "Icasa," reflective of the changes in regional languages and dialects over centuries.

Historical records first note the surname in various medieval documents within the Basque territories. One of the earliest references appears in a 12th-century manuscript that mentions a certain Pedro de Icaza, who was known to have been involved in local governance in the Biscay region. The variable spellings of the name in ancient texts reveal the fluidity of language and script in that era. The "Ycaza" form of the surname later became standardized as the orthographic practices in the region evolved.

One notable figure bearing the surname Ycaza is Pedro Ignacio de Icaza, born in 1695 and died in 1765. He was a prominent merchant and landowner in New Spain, particularly in what is now modern-day Mexico. His influence extended across both the Atlantic and the Pacific, showcasing the spread of the surname well beyond its Basque roots. The consolidation of the Ycaza family as key players in the colonial economy signifies their prominent status during this period.

Moving forward in history, another significant bearer of the surname was José Ignacio de Ycaza, born in 1823 and died in 1898. He served as a diplomat for Ecuador, representing the country in various European courts and helping to establish key international relationships. His diplomatic efforts paved the way for stronger ties between Ecuador and European nations during a crucial period of modernization and development.

In literary circles, Carmen de Icaza y de León (1899-1979) was an influential Spanish novelist and journalist. Her works gained considerable popularity in Spain during the mid-20th century, cementing her reputation as a noteworthy cultural figure. Although her surname is an alternate spelling, it highlights the literary legacy connected to the Ycaza lineage.

Another individual of note was Ramón Icaza, born in 1904 and died in 1944, an Ecuadorian writer who contributed to the country's literary heritage. His works often focused on themes of social justice and the indigenous experience in Ecuador, reflecting broader cultural and social issues of his time.

Finally, Pedro Fermín de Ycaza (1838-1903) was another prominent figure. He was known for his contributions to the legal and political landscape of Ecuador. As a respected lawyer and politician, his work helped shape the framework of modern Ecuadorian law and governance.

The surname Ycaza, with its rich historical background and notable bearers, encapsulates a legacy that stretches from the coal-rich areas of the Basque Country to prominent roles in the colonial and modern history of Latin America and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ycaza

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

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

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

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