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

Savala, 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 Savala surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Savala in America

Savala is the 10577th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Savala surname appeared 3,031 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 Savala.

We can also compare 2010 data for Savala 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 Savala

The surname SAVALA is believed to have originated in southern Italy, specifically in the regions of Campania and Calabria, during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Latin word "sabal," which means "sand" or "gravel," possibly indicating that the name's bearers were associated with sandy or gravelly areas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SAVALA can be found in a document from the 13th century, which mentions a landowner named Giacomo SAVALA in the town of Salerno, Campania. This suggests that the name had already established itself in the region by that time.

In the 14th century, there are records of a family called SAVALA residing in the town of Cosenza, Calabria. This branch of the family is believed to have played a significant role in the local economy, with some members being involved in the production and trade of silk.

The SAVALA name also appears in various historical documents from the 15th and 16th centuries, including records of land disputes and legal proceedings. One notable figure from this period is Antonio SAVALA, a merchant from Naples who was involved in the trade of spices and textiles with the Middle East and North Africa.

During the 17th century, the SAVALA family gained prominence in the city of Reggio Calabria, where several members held positions of influence within the local government and religious institutions. One such individual was Vincenzo SAVALA (1620-1692), who served as a magistrate and was known for his efforts in improving the city's infrastructure.

In the 18th century, the SAVALA name spread to other parts of Italy, with branches of the family establishing themselves in cities like Rome and Milan. One noteworthy figure from this period is Giacomo SAVALA (1745-1822), a renowned architect who contributed to the design of several churches and palaces in Rome.

Other notable individuals with the surname SAVALA include:

1. Giuseppe SAVALA (1825-1898), an Italian poet and writer from Naples.
2. Ettore SAVALA (1860-1931), an Italian sculptor and painter known for his works depicting scenes from Greek mythology.
3. Salvatore SAVALA (1882-1964), an Italian economist and professor who taught at the University of Rome.
4. Marisa SAVALA (1922-2008), an Italian opera singer who performed in major opera houses across Europe.
5. Antonio SAVALA (1947-2015), an Italian politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Italian parliament.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Savala

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

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

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

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