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

Yupanqui, 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 Yupanqui surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yupanqui in America

Yupanqui is the 121590th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yupanqui surname appeared 142 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 Yupanqui.

The history of the last name Yupanqui

The surname Yupanqui originates from Peru and is deeply rooted in the Quechua language, which was spoken by the Inca civilization. The name is derived from the Quechua words "yupa," meaning to count or calculate, and "nqui," a suffix that can imply belonging or possession. Essentially, Yupanqui can be translated to mean "one who counts" or "one who is considered worthy."

Yupanqui was used prominently during the Inca Empire, which flourished from the early 13th century until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. The name is closely associated with the ruling class of the Inca civilization, particularly with the Sapa Inca, or emperor. One of the most renowned bearers of this surname was the Inca ruler Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, who reigned from 1438 to 1471. Pachacuti is credited with founding the Inca Empire and initiating an era of significant territorial expansion.

Another significant historical figure with the surname Yupanqui is Tupac Yupanqui, the son of Pachacuti, who ruled from 1471 to 1493. Tupac continued his father's expansionist policies and is known for his conquests that extended the empire's reach into modern-day Ecuador and Chile. He was also one of the first explorers to reach the Galápagos Islands.

Historical references to the Yupanqui surname can be found in various Spanish colonial records following the conquest of the Inca Empire. These records often documented the efforts of the Spanish to understand and govern their new territories, and they occasionally referenced prominent individuals from the Inca nobility. The name Yupanqui appears in the chronicles of Spanish conquistadors and historians such as Garcilaso de la Vega, who wrote extensively about the history and customs of the Incas in the 17th century.

In later periods, the name continued to hold cultural significance in Peru and other Andean regions. Atahualpa Yupanqui, although not an actual descendant of the Inca nobility, adopted the surname in homage to his indigenous heritage. Born Héctor Roberto Chavero Aramburo in 1908, he became a famous Argentine folk musician and writer who played a crucial role in the popularization of South American folk music.

Another notable individual is the Peruvian historian and writer María Rostworowski de Diez Canseco, who, through marriage, took on the Yupanqui surname. Born in 1915, her extensive research on pre-Columbian cultures and the Inca civilization has provided invaluable insights into the history of the Andean people. Her works often highlighted the significance of names and titles, including the Yupanqui surname.

Lastly, Yma Súmac, a Peruvian soprano born Zoila Augusta Emperatriz Chávarri del Castillo in 1922, claimed descent from the Inca emperor Atahualpa Yupanqui. Although her claim was never substantiated, and her actual connection to the Yupanqui lineage remains dubious, her adoption of the name helped to reignite interest in Peru's rich indigenous history and musical traditions in the mid-20th century.

The surname Yupanqui thus encapsulates a rich and complex heritage, originating from one of the most significant empires in South American history. Its bearers have played pivotal roles not only in the historical and cultural realms of the Inca civilization but also in the broader cultural narratives of Latin America.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yupanqui

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

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

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

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