Show ContentsBaca History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins the old family name Baca can be found within medieval Spain. While the patronymic and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the name of the father and mother respectively, are the most common form of a hereditary surname in Spain, occupational surnames also emerged during the late Middle Ages. The Germanic speaking Visigoths, who conquered Spain from the mid-5th to 8th centuries, and the Arabic and Muslim Moors, who conquered the Spanish homeland from the 8th to 12th centuries, influenced Spanish names. Since Spain was periodically dominated by both of these nations in its past, it shared much in common with both the Visigoths and the Muslims in the occupations they described. Many people, such as the Baca family, adopted the name of their occupation as their surname. However, an occupational name did not become a hereditary surname until the office or type of employment became hereditary. The surname Baca was an occupational name for a farmer or cowherd.

Early Origins of the Baca family

The surname Baca was first found in Castile, an important Christian kingdom of medieval Spain.

Early History of the Baca family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baca research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1228 is included under the topic Early Baca History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baca Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Baca, de Baca, Baquero, Baquera, Baquer, Baquerizo, Vaca, de Vaca, Vacas, Vacario, Vacaro, Vaquero and many more.

Early Notables of the Baca family

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Baca Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baca Ranking

In the United States, the name Baca is the 1,380th most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 1


United States Baca migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Baca Settlers in United States in the 16th Century
  • Hernando de Baca, who sailed to New Spain in 1536
  • Cristóbal Baca, who sailed to New Spain in 1536 with his children
  • Juan Baca Coronel sailed to New Spain in 1537
  • Melchor Baca, who sailed to Peru in 1592

Contemporary Notables of the name Baca (post 1700) +

  • Jimmy Santiago Baca (b. 1952), American poet and writer of Apache and Chicano descent
  • Judith Francisca Baca (b. 1946), American artist and activist
  • Elfego Baca (1865-1945), American self-appointed sherriff and lawman who inspired the 1958 Disney miniseries The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca
  • George Baca, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Arizona, 1972 2
  • E. Shirley Baca, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Mexico, 2000, 2008; Vice-chair of New Mexico Democratic Party, 2002 2
  • E. M. Baca, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from New Mexico, 1936 2
  • Rosario de Baca, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Colorado, 2004 3
  • Gerald L. C. de Baca, American politician, Delegate to New Mexico State Constitutional Convention, 1969 3
  • Fernando C. De Baca, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from New Mexico, 2008 3
  • Cecilia C. De Baca, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from New Mexico, 2008 3
  • ... (Another 18 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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