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

Zendejas, 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 Zendejas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zendejas in America

Zendejas is the 6761st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zendejas surname appeared 4,988 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Zendejas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zendejas 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 Zendejas

The surname ZENDEJAS originated in Mexico during the Spanish colonial period. It is believed to have derived from the Nahuatl word "Centli," meaning maize or corn. The name likely referred to someone who cultivated or traded in corn, indicating an agricultural background.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the ZENDEJAS surname can be found in the archives of the Spanish Inquisition in Mexico, dating back to the 16th century. A document from 1574 mentions a certain Juan ZENDEJAS, who was accused of practicing indigenous rituals.

In the 17th century, the ZENDEJAS name appears in various records from the central regions of Mexico, such as Puebla and Tlaxcala. These areas were known for their fertile lands and thriving agricultural communities, further supporting the surname's connection to farming and corn cultivation.

During the colonial era, the ZENDEJAS family played a notable role in the defense of Mexico City against the Spanish forces led by Hernán Cortés. Pedro ZENDEJAS, born around 1505, was a prominent warrior who fought alongside the indigenous ruler Cuauhtémoc in the iconic Siege of Tenochtitlan in 1521.

In the 18th century, the ZENDEJAS surname appeared in various documents from the state of Jalisco, particularly in the town of Tequila. This region was renowned for its agave plantations and the production of the famous Tequila spirit. It is possible that some members of the ZENDEJAS family were involved in the cultivation of agave or the production of Tequila during this period.

Notable individuals with the ZENDEJAS surname throughout history include:

1. Francisco ZENDEJAS (1599-1676), a renowned architect who designed several churches and buildings in Mexico City during the Spanish colonial era.
2. María ZENDEJAS (1712-1795), a prominent landowner and philanthropist in Jalisco, known for her support of local communities and charitable endeavors.
3. José ZENDEJAS (1825-1902), a Mexican military officer who fought in the Mexican-American War and the Reform War.
4. Arturo ZENDEJAS (1921-2003), a celebrated Mexican artist and painter, famous for his vibrant depictions of rural life and indigenous cultures.
5. Cuauhtémoc ZENDEJAS (born 1958), a former Mexican professional soccer player who represented the national team in the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

Overall, the ZENDEJAS surname has a rich history rooted in Mexico's agricultural and cultural traditions, with notable figures contributing to various fields throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zendejas

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

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

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

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