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

Grella, 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 Grella surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Grella in America

Grella is the 24404th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Grella surname appeared 1,026 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 Grella.

We can also compare 2010 data for Grella 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 Grella

The surname Grella is of Italian origin, with its roots traced back to the region of Campania in Southern Italy. The name is believed to have derived from the Latin word "grellus," meaning "little group" or "small herd." This suggests that the name might have initially been associated with individuals involved in livestock rearing or agricultural activities.

In the early medieval period, the name appears to have been particularly prevalent in the areas around Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Some historical records from the 11th and 12th centuries mention individuals bearing variations of the name, such as Grello, Grelli, and Grella, suggesting its long-standing presence in the region.

One of the earliest known mentions of the name can be found in the "Codice Diplomatico Amalfitano," a collection of documents from the Amalfi area, dating back to the 11th century. This historical record includes references to individuals with the surname Grella, indicating their presence in the region during that time period.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Filippo Grella was recorded as a prominent landowner and merchant in the city of Naples. He played a significant role in the economic and political affairs of the region during his lifetime, cementing the name's association with influential families in the area.

Throughout the centuries, the Grella surname has been carried by various individuals who have made notable contributions in various fields. For instance, Giacomo Grella (1580-1648) was a renowned Italian painter and architect from Naples, known for his works in churches and palaces across the region.

Another notable figure was Antonio Grella (1761-1828), an Italian lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Neapolitan Parliament during the Napoleonic period. He was instrumental in shaping the legal and political landscape of the Kingdom of Naples during his time.

In the realm of literature, Gennaro Grella (1875-1942) was a prominent Italian poet and writer from Naples. He was renowned for his works that explored themes of love, nature, and the beauty of his native region, earning him recognition within the literary circles of his time.

One of the more recent figures with the Grella surname was Mario Grella (1905-1992), an Italian film director and screenwriter. He directed several critically acclaimed movies in the 1940s and 1950s, contributing to the rich cinematic tradition of Italy during the post-war period.

While the surname Grella has its roots in Southern Italy, particularly in the Campania region, it has since spread to various parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of Italian heritage and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Grella

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!