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

Zumaya, 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 Zumaya surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zumaya in America

Zumaya is the 43369th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zumaya surname appeared 498 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 Zumaya.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zumaya 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 Zumaya

The surname Zumaya has its origins in the Basque Country, an area straddling the border between Spain and France. The name appears to have originated in the town of Zumaia in the Gipuzkoa province, which is part of the autonomous community of the Basque Country in northern Spain. The earliest records of this surname date back to the medieval period, specifically around the 12th and 13th centuries. The name is derived from a place name, which in turn may be linked to the Basque word "zumardía," meaning a grove of elms, reflecting the region’s natural features.

Historical references to the surname Zumaya can be found in various medieval documents and records. For instance, in the 14th century, there are references to land grants and family estates in the region that mention the Zumaya name. The marriage records from the 1500s frequently list the surname, indicating its established presence in the Basque Country. The parish records of Zumaia, dating back to the late 1500s, include numerous entries of births, marriages, and deaths of individuals bearing the surname Zumaya.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname is that of Juan de Zumaya, born circa 1540, who was noted in local historical texts for his role as a prominent landowner in the Gipuzkoa province. Another significant historical figure is Francisco de Zumaya, born in 1603, who served as a military officer and later as a local magistrate. His contributions to regional governance are documented in Basque municipal archives.

The town of Zumaia, closely tied to the surname, has a history that dates back to at least the 13th century. The name appears as "Çumaya" in ancient manuscripts, showing a consistency in its linguistic roots over time. The ancient spellings and mentions in older cadastral maps further solidify the place-name connection to the surname.

In the 17th century, María de Zumaya, born in 1684, was a well-known figure in the Basque town of Zumaia. She became notable for her philanthropic efforts, particularly in the establishment of local educational institutions. Her work left a lasting legacy, and her name is often cited in historical accounts of the town’s social development during that period.

Moving into the 18th and early 19th centuries, another prominent individual with the surname was Martín de Zumaya, born in 1751. He achieved significant acclaim as a shipbuilder and merchant, a profession of considerable importance in the coastal regions of the Basque Country. His entrepreneurial activities are documented in maritime records, illustrating the diverse contributions of the Zumaya family.

José Ignacio de Zumaya, born in 1825 and noted for his role as a regional judge, is another example of the name's continued prominence. His judicial career, documented in legal archives, contributed to the administration of justice in the Basque Country during a period of significant socio-political change.

Throughout history, the Zumaya surname has been borne by numerous individuals who have contributed to the local and regional history of the Basque Country. Their documented presence in various records, manuscripts, and historical accounts underscores the enduring legacy of the surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zumaya

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

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

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

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