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

Yruegas, 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 Yruegas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yruegas in America

Yruegas is the 53913th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yruegas surname appeared 383 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 Yruegas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yruegas 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 Yruegas

The surname Yruegas is believed to have originated in the Iberian Peninsula, with specific ties to Spain. Its roots can be traced back to the medieval period, likely emerging around the 13th or 14th century. The areas most associated with this surname are the northern regions of Spain, particularly the Basque Country and Navarre, where the Basque language and culture have heavily influenced various surnames.

Yruegas is derived from the Basque words "iru" meaning "three" and "egaz" meaning "elevation" or "height." This suggests that the name may have originally been used to describe someone who lived near three notable hills or elevations. Variations and similar spellings, such as Yruegas, Yruega, or Uruegas, can be found in old manuscripts and records, indicating a common practice of flexible spelling in historical documentation.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Yruegas appears in a 15th-century Spanish register of local nobility, where a Don Pedro de Yruegas is noted as a landowner in the province of Álava. This region, rich in agricultural traditions, would have been a significant area for families bearing the Yruegas name.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named Miguel Yruegas was documented in the archives of the Spanish Inquisition. Born in 1502 and dying in 1573, Miguel Yruegas was a prominent merchant in Bilbao, who was known for his extensive trade networks extending into Northern Europe. His involvement in local politics also marked him as a significant personage within his community.

Juan de Yruegas, born in 1620, is another historical figure associated with this surname. A record from 1655 indicates that he was a captain in the Spanish Armada, serving with distinction during several naval engagements. His contributions were critical during the battles against the Ottoman Empire's naval forces in the Mediterranean.

By the 18th century, the name had started to spread beyond Spain, with Francisco Yruegas being documented as a missionary in the New World. Born in 1690 and arriving in Mexico in 1721, Francisco's work in the region was pivotal in the establishment of several missions and contributed significantly to the spread of Christianity among indigenous populations. His efforts were celebrated posthumously after his death in 1760.

In the early 19th century, a prominent landowner named Ramón Yruegas became well-known in literature regarding the agricultural developments in the province of La Rioja. Born in 1785 and passing in 1845, Ramón's innovations in vineyard management left a lasting legacy on the local wine industry, which is still recognized today.

Lastly, María Yruegas, born in 1840, is noted for her contributions to Spanish literature. As a poet and writer, her works often reflected the cultural and societal changes of her time. Her most famous compilation, published posthumously in 1880, continues to be studied by scholars of 19th-century Spanish literature.

The surname Yruegas, with its Basque origins and historical significance, is a testament to the rich cultural and social tapestry of Spain and its influence on various regions and professions throughout history. The legacy of the people bearing this name continues to be an area of interest for genealogists and historians alike.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yruegas

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

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

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

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