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

Ojala, 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 Ojala surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ojala in America

Ojala is the 30420th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ojala surname appeared 768 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 Ojala.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ojala 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 Ojala

The surname "Ojala" is of Finnish origin, with its roots dating back to the late 16th century. It is derived from the Finnish word "ojalinen," which means "one who lives by a stream or ditch." The name was initially prevalent in the central and southern regions of Finland, particularly in areas with a high concentration of small streams and waterways.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "Ojala" can be found in the Finnish church records from the late 1500s. These records document the births, marriages, and deaths of families bearing this surname in rural communities across the country. The name's prevalence in these historical documents suggests that it was well-established among the Finnish population during that time period.

In the 17th century, the name "Ojala" appeared in several legal documents and land records, indicating that families with this surname were involved in agricultural activities and land ownership. One notable individual from this era was Matti Ojala, a farmer who lived in the village of Hauho in the late 1600s. His name is mentioned in local tax records and land registries, providing insights into the lives of early Finnish settlers bearing this surname.

During the 18th century, the name "Ojala" gained further recognition with the birth of Jaakko Ojala (1722-1798), a prominent Finnish Lutheran clergyman. Jaakko Ojala served as the parish priest in the town of Jämsä for over four decades, and his sermons and writings were widely circulated among the Finnish population at the time.

In the 19th century, the name "Ojala" appeared in various literary works and historical accounts. One notable figure was Kaarlo Ojala (1845-1912), a Finnish writer and journalist who played a significant role in the country's literary scene during the late 19th century. His works explored themes of Finnish identity and cultural heritage, contributing to the development of Finnish literature.

Another prominent individual with the surname "Ojala" was Vilho Ojala (1879-1939), a Finnish politician and trade unionist. He was a member of the Finnish Parliament and played a crucial role in advocating for workers' rights and social reforms in the early 20th century.

Throughout its history, the surname "Ojala" has been associated with various professions and walks of life, from farmers and clergymen to writers and politicians. Its enduring presence in Finnish records and historical accounts highlights its deep-rooted connection to the country's cultural and societal fabric.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ojala

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

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

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

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