Langella
Italian surname meaning either "little tongue" or a reference to the Langellian ethnic group from Calabria.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 583 Americans carry the last name Langella. That puts it at #43,438 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.17 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 587,915 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Langella 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
583
1 in 587,915
Census rank
#43,438
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
497
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 497 bearers of the surname Langella in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.17 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 43438th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Langella, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Langella
The surname Langella has its origins in Italy, specifically tracing back to the southern region of Campania. It is believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages, potentially as early as the 11th or 12th century.
The name Langella is thought to be derived from the Italian word "langa," which refers to a long and narrow strip of land, often between hills or mountains. This suggests that the name may have initially been used to identify individuals who lived or worked on such elongated parcels of land.
One of the earliest known references to the Langella surname can be found in historical records from the city of Naples, dating back to the 14th century. These records document individuals bearing the name, indicating its presence in the area during that time period.
While there are no known direct mentions of the Langella name in renowned historical documents like the Domesday Book, it is possible that variations or similar spellings may have existed in other regional records from that era.
Among the notable individuals who have borne the Langella surname, one can cite the Italian painter and sculptor Sebastiano Langella (1580-1647), renowned for his contributions to the Baroque art movement in Naples.
Another prominent figure was Giuseppe Langella (1762-1836), an Italian jurist and politician who served as a member of the Neapolitan Parliament during the Napoleonic era.
In the 19th century, Antonio Langella (1852-1922) was a respected Italian mathematician and educator, known for his work in the field of algebraic geometry.
Moving into the 20th century, Francesco Langella (1924-2005) was an Italian author and poet, recognized for his lyrical works that explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition.
More recently, the Italian-American actor Frank Langella (born 1938) has gained international recognition for his performances on stage and screen, including notable roles in films like "Frost/Nixon" and "Dracula."
While the Langella surname has its roots in Italy, it has since spread to various parts of the world, carried by generations of individuals with ancestral ties to the Campania region and its surrounding areas.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Langella
Among Census respondents with the surname Langella, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Langella 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 Langella surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.8%
- Hispanic or Latino1.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Langella 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 | #43,438 | #43,438 | 0.0% |
| Count | 497 | 497 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.17 | 0.17 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Langella bearers went from 497 to 497 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #43,438 to #43,438.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Langella
FAQ
Langella surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Langella?
The surname Langella holds position #43,438 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 583 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.17 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Langella surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Langella, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%). 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.