Last Name Tovar

The last name "Tovar" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "toba," which refers to clay or mud in Spanish. The name likely originated as a reference to someone whose occupation involved working with or near clay, such as a potter or a person living near a clay deposit. Over time, the surname "Tovar" was adopted by various families and might have spread to different regions. It has since become a relatively common surname in Spanish-speaking countries.

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Tovar

In regards to ethnicity, according to the Decennial U.S. Census, a majority of those with the Tovar surname identified their ethnicity as Hispanic – accounting for 93.43 percent in 2000 and slightly growing to 94.38 percent by 2010. The percentage of those identifying as White decreased slightly over the decade, from 5.38 percent to 4.73 percent. There were minor changes in those identifying as Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian and Alaskan Native. However, there was a notable decrease of more than half in the percentage of those identifying with two or more races, going from 0.37 percent in 2000 to 0.18 percent in 2010.

	2000	2010	Change
Hispanic	93.43%	94.38%	1.02%
White	5.38%	4.73%	-12.08%
Black	0.32%	0.35%	9.38%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0.29%	0.24%	-17.24%
Two or More Races	0.37%	0.18%	-51.35%
Asian/Pacific Islander	0.21%	0.13%	-38.1%

Tovar ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Tovar is Spanish & Portuguese, which comprises 37.1% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are Indigenous American (34.8%) and British & Irish (10.2%). Additional ancestries include French & German, Italian, Eastern European, Scandinavian, and Senegambian & Guinean.

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ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
Spanish & Portuguese	37.1%
Indigenous American	34.8%
British & Irish	10.2%
Other	17.8%

Your paternal lineage may be linked to The Ancient One

When two college students stumbled upon a human skull on the banks of the Columbia River, neither the students nor the police who responded to their 911 call could have imagined the archaeological significance of this rare discovery. The skull — along with about 300 other bone fragments found near Kennewick, Washington — belonged to a 9,000 year-old nomad who Native Americans have dubbed "The Ancient One." Based on skeletal clues, The Ancient One (also known as "Kennewick Man") likely swam, wielded a spear, and hunted coastal fauna for the greater part of his lifeInitial craniometric studies suggested he descended from ancient Japanese and Polynesian-like people and had little in common with living Native Americans. This claim — refuted by the Plateau tribes of the Pacific Northwest — became the center of a decades-long legal battle over the provenance of the remains. When The Ancient One's genome was finally sequenced in 2015, the evidence revealed he was genetically most similar to modern-day Native Americans. In fact, local tribes were found to be direct descendants of a population closely related to The Ancient One; in 2017, he finally received a proper Native American burial. This critical discovery helps illustrate a genetic continuity between ancient and modern-day Native Americans. Furthermore, his paternal line belonged to haplogroup Q-M3, the predominant lineage among Native Americans today.

Your maternal lineage may be linked to some of the first Americans

Though the Ice Age was beginning to retreat when your A2 ancestors first entered North America, there were still massive barriers blocking their way. Glaciers and inhospitable climate covered much of the continent, blocking entry into the interior. Nonetheless, researchers have found evidence that a wave of American founders migrated over 13,000 kilometers to reach southern Chile in only 2,000 years, a blink of an eye in the story of human migration! Their highway to the south was the coast of the Pacific, stocked with fish, diverse marine mammals, and other valuable resources in the rich kelp forests of the upper latitudes and in the abundant fresh-water rivers near the equator. Because of this rapid movement south, the A2 haplogroup and its diverse branches are found throughout North and South America.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Tovar

The meaning and origin of the last name Tovar

The surname Tovar is generally of Spanish origin, deriving from the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated from the Latin word "tubarium," which refers to a tub or container used for transportation. Over time, this term evolved into Tovar, becoming a surname associated with those who were involved in the transportation or trading of goods. This could encompass professions such as a merchant, carrier, or packer. Tovar can also have variations in different regions or countries, such as Tovara or Tobar. The surname's usage as a place name, referring to locations where goods were stored or traded, is another potential origin. Over centuries, families with the surname Tovar have spread across various Spanish-speaking countries, making it a common Hispanic surname today.

Geographical distribution of the last name Tovar

The last name "Tovar" has a noticeable geographical distribution across several countries, particularly in Spanish-speaking regions. Spain and Mexico are among the countries with significant concentrations of individuals with the surname Tovar. Spain, being the origin of the name, has numerous Tovar families scattered throughout various provinces. Mexico, on the other hand, has a significant number of Tovar individuals, particularly in states such as Jalisco, Michoacán, and Guanajuato. Other Latin American countries, such as Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela also have notable populations with the surname Tovar. Additionally, there are individuals with this last name residing in the United States, primarily in states such as California, Texas, Florida, and New York, which have large Hispanic populations. Overall, the geographical distribution of the surname Tovar demonstrates its prevalence within Spanish-speaking countries and communities around the world.

Variants and spellings of the last name Tovar

The last name Tovar, originating from Spain and commonly found in Latin America, has a few variations and alternative spellings. One such variation is Tovara, which can be found mainly in Mexico. Other variations of this surname include Tobar, Tavora, Tovarra, Tovary, Továria, and Tovário. These variations often occur due to regional differences, linguistic adaptations, or migration patterns throughout history. Furthermore, alternate spellings may include Tovarrez, Tovaraez, Tobarrez, and Tovarréz, among others. Despite small differences, each spelling and variation still represents an individual or family with a shared ancestral connection. The name Tovar and its many forms may have different origins and particularities, but they all carry the same historical significance and cultural heritage across the diverse regions in which they can be found.

Famous people with the last name Tovar

One renowned individual with the last name Tovar is Yul Brynner, a Hollywood icon and Academy Award-winning actor known for his striking bald head and powerful on-screen presence. Born in Russia in 1920 as Yuliy Borisovich Briner, he adopted the stage name Yul Brynner and achieved great success in his career. Brynner starred in numerous notable films, including "The King and I" (1956), for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor, solidifying his place in cinema history. His unique appearance and magnetic performances captivated audiences, making him one of the most recognizable actors of his time. Brynner's talent extended beyond the silver screen; he also thrived on stage, notably originating the role of the King of Siam in the Broadway musical adaptation of "The King and I," garnering him a Tony Award as well. Though he passed away in 1985, Yul Brynner's impactful work continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Genealogical research on the last name Tovar

The surname Tovar has its origins in Spain. It is derived from the word "toba," which refers to a type of clay or mud commonly found in the region of Castile. The Tovar family is believed to have originated in the medieval town of Tovar, located in the province of Toledo. Over time, members of the Tovar family spread throughout Spain and beyond, with notable mentions in regions such as Andalusia and Extremadura. As Spaniards embarked on explorations and conquests during the colonial period, some Tovar descendants migrated to Latin America, particularly to countries like Mexico, Venezuela, and Colombia. Today, individuals with the surname Tovar can be found in various countries across the Americas and Europe, with diverse ancestral connections to Spain. Genealogical research on the Tovar name often traces back through historical records, church documents, and public archives to establish familial connections and uncover the full extent of the Tovar family's lineage.

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