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

Sayah, 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 Sayah surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sayah in America

Sayah is the 73005th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sayah surname appeared 266 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 Sayah.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sayah 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 Sayah

The surname Sayah has its origins in the Middle East, specifically in the Arabic-speaking regions. It is believed to have derived from the Arabic word "sayah," which means "traveler" or "wanderer." This suggests that the name was initially given to individuals or families who were known for their nomadic or traveling lifestyles.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sayah can be found in historical records from the 12th century, during the medieval Islamic period. In these records, the name appears in various spellings, such as "Sayah," "Saya," and "Sayya," reflecting regional variations in pronunciation and transliteration.

The name Sayah gained prominence in certain parts of the Middle East, particularly in areas like modern-day Lebanon and Syria. It is noteworthy that in the 14th century, a prominent scholar and historian named Ahmad al-Sayah lived in Damascus, Syria. His works on the history and culture of the region are considered valuable sources for understanding that era.

As trade and migration patterns evolved over the centuries, individuals bearing the surname Sayah began to spread across different regions. By the 16th century, records show the presence of the name in parts of North Africa, particularly in countries like Morocco and Algeria. This dispersion was likely facilitated by the movement of people and the interconnectedness of the Arabic-speaking world at the time.

One notable figure with the surname Sayah was Ibrahim al-Sayah, a renowned poet and writer from Lebanon who lived in the late 18th century. His literary works, which celebrated Arabic culture and language, gained widespread recognition and influenced subsequent generations of writers in the region.

In the 19th century, the name Sayah appeared in historical records from parts of the Ottoman Empire, including territories that now comprise modern-day Turkey and the Balkan regions. This suggests that individuals bearing the name may have migrated or traveled to these areas during that period.

Another prominent individual with the surname Sayah was Yusuf Sayah, a political activist and leader from Palestine who played a significant role in the resistance against British colonial rule in the early 20th century. His efforts and sacrifices contributed to the Palestinian national struggle for independence.

Throughout its history, the surname Sayah has been associated with various professions and walks of life, including scholars, writers, poets, activists, and travelers. While its origins can be traced back to the Middle East, the name has since spread across different parts of the world, carried by individuals and families who have embraced its rich cultural heritage and legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sayah

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

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

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

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