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

Mela, 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 Mela surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mela in America

Mela is the 74375th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mela surname appeared 260 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 Mela.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mela 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 Mela

The surname MELA is of Italian origin and dates back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated in the regions of Tuscany and Veneto, derived from the Italian word "mela," meaning apple. This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who cultivated apples or lived near an apple orchard.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the MELA surname can be found in the 13th-century Florentine tax records. During this time, many Italians adopted surnames based on their occupations, physical characteristics, or locations. The MELA name likely followed this pattern, either referring to an individual's profession or residence near an apple orchard.

In the 14th century, the MELA surname appeared in the historic Venetian archives, indicating its presence in the region of Veneto. This further solidifies the Italian roots of the name and its potential association with the apple trade or cultivation in these areas.

A notable bearer of the MELA surname was Giovanni Mela, a 15th-century Italian painter from Siena. His works can be found in various churches and museums across Italy, showcasing the artistic talents of those carrying the MELA name during the Renaissance period.

Another historical figure with the MELA surname was Pomponio Mela, a Roman geographer who lived in the 1st century AD. His work, "De Situ Orbis," provided a comprehensive description of the known world at the time, making him a significant contributor to the field of geography in ancient Rome.

In the 16th century, a prominent individual named Prospero Mela was a renowned architect and sculptor from Lombardy. He was responsible for designing and constructing several churches and palaces in Milan and surrounding areas, leaving a lasting impact on the architectural landscape of the region.

During the 17th century, the MELA surname was found in various records from the Papal States, suggesting that families bearing this name had established themselves in central Italy. One notable individual from this period was Girolamo Mela, a Jesuit priest and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of astronomy.

Throughout history, the MELA surname has been present in various regions of Italy, reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage and the diverse origins of its surnames. While the name's exact roots may be difficult to pinpoint, its connection to the apple and its potential association with occupations or locations related to the fruit cultivation remain plausible explanations for its origin and enduring presence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mela

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

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

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

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