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

Mekala, 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 Mekala surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mekala in America

Mekala is the 83226th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mekala surname appeared 226 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 Mekala.

The history of the last name Mekala

The surname MEKALA is believed to have originated in India, specifically in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. It is thought to derive from the Telugu word "mekala," which means "goat" or "sheep." The name likely emerged during the medieval period or earlier, possibly referring to an occupation or place associated with these animals.

In ancient records and manuscripts from the region, variations of the name, such as "Mekalu" or "Mekala," can be found. One of the earliest documented references is in a land grant inscription from the 7th century CE, where a person with the name "Mekala Nayudu" is mentioned as a local chieftain.

The name MEKALA has been recorded in various historical contexts throughout the centuries. In the 12th century, a Hindu temple in the Anantapur district was constructed under the patronage of a wealthy landowner named Mekala Ramanuja. During the 16th century, a notable scholar and poet known as Mekala Govinda Kavi made significant contributions to Telugu literature.

One of the most prominent figures in Indian history with the surname MEKALA was Mekala Vedadri Narayana (1900-1974), a freedom fighter and political activist who played a crucial role in India's independence movement. He was imprisoned multiple times for his participation in the struggle against British colonial rule.

Another notable individual was Mekala Komara Sastri (1866-1933), a renowned scholar and author who wrote extensively on Hindu philosophy, Sanskrit literature, and Vedic studies. His works on the Upanishads and Vedanta philosophy are widely respected and studied.

In the realm of literature, Mekala Sudhakar (1932-2002) was a celebrated Telugu novelist and short story writer. His works explored themes of social injustice, poverty, and the struggles of the marginalized sections of society. He received numerous awards and accolades for his literary contributions.

While the surname MEKALA has its roots in India, it has also spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical significance and connection to the Telugu-speaking regions of southern India remain deeply rooted in its etymology and origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mekala

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

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 Mekala 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.

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

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

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