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

Zepeta, 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 Zepeta surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zepeta in America

Zepeta is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zepeta surname appeared 106 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 Zepeta.

The history of the last name Zepeta

The surname Zepeta has its origins in Spain, specifically within the regions of Castile and León. The name likely emerged during the late medieval period, around the 14th or 15th century. Zepeta is believed to be derived from the Basque word "zepeta," which roughly translates to "plum tree," indicating that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a plum orchard or was involved in the cultivation of plums.

The area of Castile and León was a significant cultural and political center during the Middle Ages, and surnames during that time often originated from geographical features, occupations, or characteristics. In the case of Zepeta, the reference to a plum tree suggests a rural origin. Early records and manuscripts from the period are scarce, but land grants and local tax records from the 14th century provide hints of the name's usage.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zepeta appears in a 15th-century Castilian manuscript documenting land ownership. Jaime Zepeta, a landowner in León, was listed in this document dated around 1475. This record provides one of the earliest verifiable mentions of the surname.

In the following centuries, the name Zepeta spread to various other parts of Spain and occasionally appeared in military and church records. An example of this can be found in the archives of the Spanish Inquisition, which lists a Diego Zepeta, born in 1582, who was investigated in 1610. These records further demonstrate the name's prevalence in different social contexts.

Another notable bearer of the surname was María Zepeta, a midwife from Zaragoza, who was documented in a 17th-century parish register. Born in 1646, María was well-regarded for her skills and frequently mentioned in various local records between 1670 and 1690.

By the 18th century, the name Zepeta had begun to appear outside of Spain as a result of Spanish exploration and colonization. Juan Zepeta, born in 1715, was identified as a soldier who accompanied Spanish explorers to the New World, particularly Mexico. His presence is documented in military records and letters between 1742 and 1760, shedding light on the spread of the surname beyond the Iberian Peninsula.

In the 19th century, political upheaval and economic opportunities prompted further migration. One notable individual from this period was Esteban Zepeta, an advocate for Spanish independence from France during the Peninsular War (1807-1814). Esteban, born in 1780, played a significant role in local resistance efforts and is mentioned in several historical accounts from the early 19th century.

The surname Zepeta thus has a rich historical context rooted in medieval Spain, with evidence of its use spanning over several centuries. It reflects a blend of geographical and occupational origins, with documented instances of significant individuals bearing the name from various points in history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zepeta

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

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

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

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