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

Sayler, 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 Sayler surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sayler in America

Sayler is the 11436th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sayler surname appeared 2,754 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 Sayler.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sayler 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 Sayler

The surname Sayler has its origins in Germany, where it first emerged as an occupational name during the late Middle Ages, around the 13th or 14th century. It is derived from the Old German word "seilar," meaning "rope maker" or "sailor." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name were likely involved in occupations related to maritime activities or the production of ropes and cords.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Sayler surname can be found in the historical records of the city of Augsburg, Germany, where a certain Ulrich Sayler was documented as a resident in the year 1368. The name also appears in various other German municipal records and chronicles from the 14th and 15th centuries, often with slight variations in spelling, such as "Seiler," "Seyler," or "Sailer."

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Sayler name spread beyond Germany to other parts of Europe, particularly to regions with significant German populations or cultural influences. For instance, in the Netherlands, a notable figure named Pieter Sayler (1548-1625) was a renowned painter and engraver from the city of Utrecht.

In England, the name appears to have been introduced by German immigrants or possibly through trade and cultural exchanges. One of the earliest recorded instances is that of John Sayler, a merchant from London who was mentioned in the records of the East India Company in the early 17th century.

Another notable individual was Johann Sayler (1719-1801), a German-born engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of early steam engines and industrial machinery. He spent a significant portion of his career in England, where he collaborated with renowned figures such as James Watt.

As the Sayler name continued to spread throughout Europe and beyond, it found its way to various other regions, including North America. One of the earliest recorded instances in the American colonies was that of Heinrich Sayler, a German immigrant who settled in Pennsylvania in the early 18th century.

Overall, the surname Sayler has a rich history that can be traced back to its occupational origins in medieval Germany. Despite its relatively modest beginnings, the name has been carried by several notable individuals throughout history, highlighting its enduring presence and significance across various cultures and regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sayler

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

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

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

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