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

Savas, 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 Savas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Savas in America

Savas is the 33596th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Savas surname appeared 678 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 Savas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Savas 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 Savas

The surname Savas originates from Greece, with roots dating back to ancient times. It is believed to be derived from the Greek word "savas," which means "noble" or "revered." This name was likely bestowed upon individuals or families who held positions of esteem or authority within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Savas can be found in the Byzantine Empire, where it appears in various historical documents and manuscripts from the 9th to 15th centuries. During this period, the name was often associated with prominent figures in the military, clergy, and aristocracy.

In the 13th century, a notable individual named Georgios Savas served as a high-ranking military commander in the Byzantine army, playing a crucial role in defending the empire against invading forces. His bravery and leadership earned him recognition and likely contributed to the spread of the surname within aristocratic circles.

Another prominent figure bearing the Savas name was Konstantinos Savas, a renowned scholar and theologian who lived in the 14th century. He authored several influential works on theology and philosophy, cementing his place in the intellectual history of the Byzantine Empire.

As the centuries passed, the surname Savas spread beyond Greece to other regions, including parts of the Balkans and Asia Minor. In the 16th century, a notable individual named Ioannis Savas established himself as a successful merchant in the city of Smyrna (modern-day Izmir, Turkey), contributing to the economic prosperity of the region.

During the Ottoman Empire's rule over Greece, the Savas surname continued to be found among Greek communities, often associated with individuals involved in various professions, including artisans, farmers, and members of the clergy.

In the 19th century, a Greek revolutionary named Nikolaos Savas played a significant role in the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire. His bravery and dedication to the cause of Greek independence further elevated the prestige of the Savas name.

As the Greek diaspora spread across the globe, the Savas surname traveled with them, finding new homes in countries such as the United States, Australia, and various parts of Europe. Today, individuals bearing the Savas surname can be found in various corners of the world, carrying on the rich legacy of this ancient Greek name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Savas

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

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

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

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