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

Pajela, 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 Pajela surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pajela in America

Pajela is the 132206th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pajela surname appeared 128 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 Pajela.

The history of the last name Pajela

The surname Pajela is of Polish origin, with its roots tracing back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have originated in the Silesian region of southwestern Poland, near the border with modern-day Germany and the Czech Republic. The name is thought to be derived from the Polish word "pajela," which means "a small, shallow stream or brook."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Pajela name can be found in the parish records of the town of Opole, dated 1587. This entry documents the birth of a child named Jakub Pajela to parents Andrzej and Katarzyna Pajela. The family's surname likely originated from their place of residence near a small stream or brook, a common practice in those times.

In the 17th century, the Pajela name appears in various historical documents and records from the Silesian region. A notable example is the mention of a landowner named Jan Pajela in the land registry of the village of Krapkowice, dated 1642. This suggests that the Pajela family had achieved a certain level of prominence and wealth during that period.

The 18th century saw the Pajela name spread beyond the confines of Silesia, as members of the family migrated to other parts of Poland and neighboring countries. One such individual was Michał Pajela (1728-1791), a Polish military officer who served in the army of King Stanislaus II Augustus and participated in the Polish-Russian War of 1792.

In the 19th century, the Pajela name gained further recognition with the birth of Józef Pajela (1843-1916), a renowned Polish writer and poet. His works, which often explored themes of patriotism and national identity, played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of his time.

Another notable figure with the Pajela surname was Zofia Pajela (1887-1972), a prominent Polish educator and advocate for women's rights. She dedicated her life to promoting equal educational opportunities for girls and women, contributing significantly to the advancement of gender equality in Poland.

While the Pajela name may not be as widely recognized as some other Polish surnames, its rich history and cultural significance remain an integral part of the country's heritage. The name's association with the natural landscape and its enduring presence across centuries of Polish history make it a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the Pajela family line.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pajela

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!