Helgeland
A Norwegian surname referring to a coastal region of western Norway.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 240 Americans carry the last name Helgeland. That puts it at #87,663 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.07 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,428,143 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Helgeland surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
240
1 in 1,428,143
Census rank
#87,663
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
212
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 212 bearers of the surname Helgeland in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 87663rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Helgeland, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Helgeland
The surname HELGELAND originates from Norway, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old Norse words "helga" meaning "holy" and "land" meaning "land" or "territory." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to a sacred or consecrated land.
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in medieval Norwegian records and documents, often associated with individuals from the western regions of Norway, particularly the areas around the Helgeland district in the county of Nordland.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Torstein Helgeland, a Norwegian nobleman and chieftain who lived in the 12th century. He was known for his involvement in the civil wars that took place during the reign of King Sverre of Norway.
In the 14th century, a man named Erling Helgeland was mentioned in the Icelandic sagas as a prominent landowner and farmer from the Helgeland region. These sagas provide valuable insights into the lives and activities of people with this surname during that era.
Another notable figure with the surname HELGELAND was Sigurd Helgeland, a Norwegian priest and scholar who lived in the 15th century. He was known for his work in translating and preserving ancient Norse texts and manuscripts.
During the 16th century, the name HELGELAND was associated with several prominent seafaring families in western Norway. One such individual was Olav Helgeland, a skilled navigator and ship captain who undertook voyages to Greenland and the Arctic regions.
In more recent times, Peder Helgeland (1844-1920) was a Norwegian politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Norway in the late 19th century. He played a significant role in shaping Norway's foreign policy during a pivotal period in the country's history.
Throughout its history, the surname HELGELAND has maintained a strong connection to its Norwegian origins and the Helgeland region, though bearers of the name can now be found in various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Helgeland
Among Census respondents with the surname Helgeland, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Helgeland bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Helgeland surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.8%
- Hispanic or Latino2.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Helgeland surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #87,663 | #87,663 | 0.0% |
| Count | 212 | 212 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.07 | 0.07 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Helgeland bearers went from 212 to 212 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #87,663 to #87,663.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Helgeland
FAQ
Helgeland surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Helgeland?
The surname Helgeland holds position #87,663 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 240 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Helgeland surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Helgeland, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.4%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.