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

Sala, 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 Sala surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sala in America

Sala is the 7575th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sala surname appeared 4,386 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Sala.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sala 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 Sala

The surname Sala has its origins in Italy, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "sala," meaning a hall or large room. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived or worked in a manor house or other grand dwelling.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Sala can be found in the historic Codice Diplomatico Longobardo, a collection of documents from the Lombard era in Italy. A certain Adelardo Sala is mentioned in a document from the year 735 AD, lending credence to the theory of the name's ancient Italian lineage.

During the Renaissance period, the Sala surname gained further prominence. In the 15th century, the Florentine artist Vincenzo Sala (1435-1506) achieved recognition for his intricate wood carvings and sculptural works adorning churches and public buildings throughout Italy. His artistic legacy serves as a testament to the cultural significance of this surname.

The name Sala has also been linked to various place names across Italy. For instance, the village of Sala Comacina, located near the picturesque Lake Como in Northern Italy, may have served as a source for the surname. Additionally, the town of Sala Baganza in the Emilia-Romagna region has historical ties to the Sala name.

Across the centuries, several notable individuals have carried the Sala surname. One such figure was Giovanni Battista Sala (1628-1714), a renowned Italian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics. Another prominent bearer of the name was the 18th-century Italian composer and violinist Giovanni Sala (1720-1805), whose compositions were performed across Europe.

Moving into the 19th century, the Sala surname gained international recognition with the birth of the French novelist and playwright Lucien Sala (1833-1912). His works, which often explored themes of social injustice and the human condition, earned him widespread acclaim during his lifetime.

In the realm of politics, the Italian politician and statesman Luca Sala (1859-1924) left an indelible mark on his nation's history. As a member of the Italian Senate and a prominent figure in the Italian Socialist Party, he played a pivotal role in shaping the country's political landscape during the early 20th century.

Overall, the surname Sala boasts a rich and diverse history, spanning centuries and encompassing various fields of human endeavor. From its ancient Italian roots to its modern-day bearers, this name has woven itself into the tapestry of cultural, artistic, and intellectual achievements across multiple nations and eras.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sala

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

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

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

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