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

Zaruma, 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 Zaruma surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zaruma in America

Zaruma is the 75564th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zaruma surname appeared 255 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 Zaruma.

The history of the last name Zaruma

The surname Zaruma finds its origins in Ecuador, specifically in the southern region of El Oro Province. The name is closely associated with the town of Zaruma, which was established during the Spanish colonial period in the 16th century. The region was rich in gold mines, and the name Zaruma itself is believed to be derived from the indigenous Quechua language, where "sara" means maize or corn, and "uma" means head or chief, translating to "Chief of Maize" or "Head of Corn," indicative of the area's abundant agricultural and mineral wealth.

The earliest recorded references to the surname Zaruma appear in colonial records and mining documents from the 1500s, linked to the Spanish conquest and indigenous labor in the gold mines. Historical manuscripts, such as those penned by Spanish chroniclers and mining accounts, include mentions of the indigenous and mestizo families bearing the surname Zaruma who were involved in the labor and administration of the gold mines.

One of the earliest notable individuals with this surname was Don Juan de Zaruma, a local leader documented in the late 16th century, around 1580, who played a significant role in negotiating labor arrangements between Spanish colonial authorities and indigenous communities. His efforts ensured a degree of protection and fair treatment for local workers in the harsh mining operations.

During the 17th century, another notable figure was Maria de Zaruma, born in 1623, who gained prominence as a mestiza landowner and philanthropist in the region. Her landholdings and charitable works were extensively documented in local colonial registries, highlighting her impact on the social landscape.

In the 18th century, the surname continued to be associated with influential individuals in the mining and agricultural sectors. Francisco Zaruma, born in 1701 and deceased in 1764, was a well-documented mine owner and operator whose business dealings and detailed records contributed significantly to the economic development of El Oro Province.

By the 19th century, during the independence movements across South America, Colonel Miguel Zaruma emerged as a revolutionary leader. Born in 1795, he was instrumental in liberating parts of El Oro from Spanish colonial rule, participating in key battles and later serving in the newly independent government until his death in 1835.

In the early 20th century, scholar and author Manuel Zaruma, born in 1887 and deceased in 1942, documented the history and cultural heritage of the Zaruma region through his writing. His works remain pivotal in understanding the local history and the evolution of the surname.

Throughout history, the surname Zaruma has been deeply intertwined with the historical and social fabric of the El Oro Province, reflecting both the indigenous heritage and the colonial influences that shaped the region. The name persists as a symbol of the area's rich cultural legacy and continues to be recognized in historical texts and accounts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zaruma

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

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

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

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