Finding "blanco/a" added to names in Peruvian burial records, is it a name or racial reference?

BawdenShaun

I am working to index and review records from Peru, Arequipa—Registros de la Iglesia Católica, 1660–2020[M3VB-LGZ]

I have come across several names in this record where the word "blanco/a" is added after the name and is not capitalized. It is also listed after the name on the side of the ledger as an index on the sheet. I am curious to know if this is a name or racial reference. I feel that it should not be included as a surname even though I am finding some that I am reviewing have done so. Thoughts? Ideas?

maryellenstevensbarnes1

@BawdenShaun blanco/blanca is definitely not part of the surname and should not be indexed as a surname -if you are reviewing, you need to correct the surname field before submitting the batch😎

dontiknowyou

My understanding is blanco/blanca in Peru is similar to "white" in the United States.

BawdenShaun

I am leaning towards it being related to race although the record is not using the normal "espanol, mestizo, indio" terms.