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

Zuazua, 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 Zuazua surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zuazua in America

Zuazua is the 103655th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zuazua surname appeared 173 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 Zuazua.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zuazua 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 Zuazua

Zuazua is a surname with roots in the Basque Country, a region located in the northern part of Spain and southwestern France. The Basque language, known as Euskara, is rich in unique words and characteristics not found in other Romance languages. The history of the surname dates back several centuries, coinciding with the medieval period in Europe. The term "Zuazua" in the Basque language is derived from the word "zuaza," which means willow, combined with a diminutive suffix "-ua," forming a name that could be interpreted as "small willow" or "place of willows."

The areas where the surname Zuazua originally emerged are in the heart of the Basque Country, particularly in the provinces of Gipuzkoa and Biscay. These regions are known for their lush landscapes, which were likely dotted with willow trees, making the surname geographically descriptive. In older historical documents, the name Zuazua may appear with slight variations in spelling, such as "Suazo" or "Zuazo," as medieval spellings were not standardized.

One of the earliest references to the surname Zuazua appears in medieval records from the late 14th century. In these records, the name is often associated with local nobility and landowners who held significant influence in their communities. One of the notable figures from this period is Juan de Zuazua, a landholder in Gipuzkoa who was mentioned in documents dating from the year 1381. His land holdings and contributions to local governance reflect the prominence of the name in that era.

In the centuries that followed, the surname Zuazua continued to appear in various historical manuscripts and legal documents. By the 16th century, members of the Zuazua family had migrated to other parts of Spain and the Spanish colonies in the Americas. A significant figure during this time was Rodrigo de Zuazua, born in 1543, who played a pivotal role in the exploration and colonization efforts, particularly in the Caribbean and parts of South America.

The name Zuazua also made its way into military records, with individuals such as Antonio de Zuazua, born in 1766. Antonio served as a distinguished officer in the Spanish Army, participating in several campaigns during the tumultuous period of the Napoleonic Wars. His military career earned him recognition and commendations, further cementing the family's historical significance.

In the 19th century, the surname Zuazua found its way into political spheres as well. Families bearing the name contributed to regional political movements within the Basque Country as well as in broader Spanish territories. One such individual was Martin Zuazua, born in 1801, an influential political figure who advocated for greater autonomy of the Basque region within Spain's constitutional framework.

In more recent history, General Santiago Vidaurri y Zuazua, born in 1809 and died in 1867, stands out. He was a prominent military leader and governor in the northeastern part of Mexico. His policies and leadership during his governorship of Nuevo León and Coahuila had lasting impacts on the region's development during Mexico's formative years post-independence.

The surname Zuazua, with its origins steeped in the verdant landscapes of the Basque Country, has carried significant historical weight. The contributions of individuals bearing this name have spanned from medieval landowners to modern political and military leaders, each leaving their mark on history through various social, political, and geographical landscapes.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zuazua

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

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

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

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