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

Yupa, 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 Yupa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yupa in America

Yupa is the 55255th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yupa surname appeared 372 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 Yupa.

The history of the last name Yupa

The surname Yupa has relatively obscure origins and its history is somewhat enigmatic. It is believed to originate from South America, particularly from the Andean regions where indigenous languages were prominently spoken. The name Yupa may be connected to the Quechua or Aymara languages, given the prevalent usage of similar phonetic patterns in those cultural contexts. These languages have been spoken for centuries, long before Spanish colonization in the 16th century.

Etymologically, the name Yupa could be derived from ancient words used in these indigenous languages. Quechua, for example, includes the word 'yupay', which means 'to count' or 'to respect'. This suggests the surname might have been used to denote a person with a role connected to record-keeping or someone held in high esteem. Variations in spelling and pronunciation might have evolved through oral traditions since written records from these pre-Columbian civilizations are limited.

The first substantial records of the name Yupa appear in colonial documents from the Spanish conquest of the Americas. A notable example is found in the baptismal registers of early Spanish missions. In the 1580s, Friar Luis de Yupa was documented as a native who played a significant role in mediating between Spanish authorities and indigenous communities. His baptism and subsequent activities were recorded in missionary chronicles, placing him as one of the earliest identifiable individuals with this surname.

Moving into the 17th century, the surname continued to appear sporadically in various legal and ecclesiastical documents. A manuscript from 1603 references a Nicolás Yupa, who was involved in a land dispute in what is now Ecuador. This case was detailed in the colonial court records, providing insight into the presence and social standing of individuals bearing this surname in the colonial order.

In the field of art, José Yupa, an 18th-century indigenous painter from Peru, earned recognition for his work within the Andean baroque movement. His paintings, often religious in theme, were commissioned by local churches and are still revered for their blend of indigenous and colonial aesthetics. Records suggest he was active around the 1740s, though his exact birth and death dates remain undocumented.

In the 19th century, one of the notable individuals carrying the Yupa surname was Juan Yupa, a community leader and agricultural innovator in Bolivia. Born in 1827, he is credited with introducing advanced farming techniques in the Cochabamba region, enhancing productivity and contributing to regional food security. His innovations were chronicled by agrarian researchers of the time, emphasizing the practical intelligence within indigenous communities.

By the early 20th century, the name Yupa had migrated to more urban settings. María Yupa, born in 1905, was a prominent social activist in Quito, Ecuador. She was instrumental in founding several local charities and educational programs aimed at improving the living conditions of indigenous people in urban areas. Her legacy of social work and advocacy continued until her death in 1980.

The surname Yupa's journey through history marks a fascinating transition from indigenous roots, through colonial interaction, to contemporary relevance. Each individual bearing the name contributes to the rich tapestry of its storied past.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yupa

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

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

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

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