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

Rula, 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 Rula surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Rula in America

Rula is the 140756th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rula surname appeared 109 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Rula.

The history of the last name Rula

The surname Rula is believed to have its origins in the regions of southern Italy, particularly Sicily and Calabria. The name is thought to date back to the medieval period, specifically around the 10th to 12th centuries, a time when the Iberian Peninsula and parts of southern Italy were under the rule of various kingdoms and duke-led territories.

Etimologically, the surname Rula is likely derived from a local dialect word or an old Italian term. Some suggest it might be connected to the Latin word "ruga," meaning "wrinkle" or "line," potentially referencing a geographical feature or characteristic trait. In the context of place names, historical records include similar spellings such as "Rugla" and "Rugula," found within Sicilian and Calabrian manuscripts.

Historical references to the surname Rula are somewhat sparse but significant. One of the earliest instances occurs in a 13th-century document known as the Catalogus Baronum, a census-like record prepared for the Kingdom of Sicily. This document lists a family with a similar surname residing in what is now Calabria.

One notable individual with the surname Rula was Antonio Rula, born around 1305, a merchant who was documented in trade agreements between Sicily and the maritime republics of Genoa and Venice. Another, Matteo Rula, born in 1458, was a known landowner in the region of Calabria, mentioned in property records in 1490 as holding extensive farmlands.

In the 16th century, the name appears in ecclesiastical records with Giovanni Rula, born in 1542, who became a well-regarded clergy member in the Diocese of Cosenza. This record highlights his contributions to the community and church.

Further along in history, Domenico Rula, born in 1710, served as a soldier in the armies of the Kingdom of Naples and appears in military rosters from the mid-18th century, particularly noted for his role in maintaining local security during turbulent times.

In the late 19th century, the name surfaces in immigration records with Luigi Rula, born in 1867, who emigrated to the United States in 1891. Settling in Boston, he became a noted figure among Italian-American communities for his involvement in cultural preservation and advocacy.

Overall, the surname Rula has deep historical roots in southern Italy with variations in spelling evolving over centuries, reflecting the region's rich and tumultuous history. These individuals bearing the surname have left marks in various fields, from commerce and religion to military and immigrant society, contributing to the name's enduring legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rula

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Rula 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 Rula was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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