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

Zacatelco, 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 Zacatelco surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zacatelco in America

Zacatelco is the 140157th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zacatelco surname appeared 119 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 Zacatelco.

The history of the last name Zacatelco

The surname Zacatelco originates from the region of Tlaxcala in central Mexico. The name is derived from the Nahuatl language, which was spoken by the indigenous peoples in the region long before the Spanish conquest. In Nahuatl, the word zacatl means "grass" or "hay," and telco means "place of" or "abundance." Therefore, Zacatelco can be interpreted as "place of abundant grass" or "place with much grass." The town of Zacatelco in the state of Tlaxcala serves as a principal point of origin for this surname.

The historical references to the surname Zacatelco can be traced back to the early colonial period after the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century. Some early records reveal that the town of Zacatelco was mentioned in colonial documents where local indigenous leaders were recorded, often adopting the town's name as their surname. The Nahuatl language influence on the name underscores a blend of indigenous heritage and colonial influence.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Zacatelco appears in administrative records from the 1530s. These records detail the organization and management of lands granted to Spanish conquistadors and their descendants, often listing the names of local indigenous leaders who were part of these transactions. One such leader was Xicotencatl Zacatelco, who was notable for his role in the local governance and interactions with Spanish authorities around the middle of the 16th century.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Zacatelco. For example, Juan Zacatelco, born around 1570 and active in the late 16th century, was a well-known indigenous figure who played a significant role in local politics and land disputes within the region. María Zacatelco, born in 1615 and deceased by 1652, was another prominent figure, remembered for her contributions to the cultural and social fabric of Tlaxcala during her time.

In the 18th century, José Ignacio Zacatelco, born in 1710, became a respected elder and was instrumental in preserving indigenous customs and traditions amidst ongoing colonial pressures. The 19th century saw the emergence of Manuel Zacatelco, born in 1835 and dying in 1892, who contributed to the political movements during Mexico's turbulent period of reform and revolution.

In the early 20th century, the surname Zacatelco continued to carry regional significance, with figures like Eduardo Zacatelco, born in 1900 and active through the mid-20th century, who played a role in local politics and community organization. The legacy of these individuals with the Zacatelco surname underscores a continued connection to the rich cultural heritage of Tlaxcala and the enduring influence of indigenous roots in Mexican history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zacatelco

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

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

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

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