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

Golla, 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 Golla surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Golla in America

Golla is the 13300th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Golla surname appeared 2,293 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Golla.

We can also compare 2010 data for Golla 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 Golla

The surname Golla has its origins in India, specifically in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. It is believed to have originated from the Telugu word "Golla," which refers to a community of shepherds and pastoralists. The name first appeared in historical records during the medieval period, around the 12th century CE.

In the early days, the Golla community played a significant role in the agricultural and pastoral economies of the region. They were responsible for tending to and herding sheep, goats, and cattle, and were highly valued for their expertise in animal husbandry.

One of the earliest known references to the surname Golla can be found in the Kakatiya inscriptions, which date back to the 13th century. These inscriptions mention individuals with the surname, indicating their involvement in various administrative and military roles during the Kakatiya dynasty.

During the 16th century, the Golla community gained prominence under the Vijayanagara Empire, where they were granted land and privileges for their services. Some notable individuals from this period include Golla Budda Reddy (1520-1580), a military commander, and Golla Mallaiah (1540-1610), a renowned poet and scholar.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, several Golla families played influential roles in the princely states of the Deccan region. One prominent figure was Golla Narasimha Reddy (1760-1820), who served as a minister and military leader under the Nizam of Hyderabad.

As the Golla community migrated to different parts of India, the name spread to other regions, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. Variations of the spelling, such as Gola and Gowda, can be found in these areas.

Other notable individuals with the surname Golla include Golla Mallikarjuna Rao (1870-1940), a social reformer and freedom fighter from Andhra Pradesh, and Golla Narayana Rao (1905-1980), a renowned Telugu writer and playwright.

Overall, the surname Golla has a rich history, deeply rooted in the pastoral traditions of southern India, and has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Golla

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

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

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

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