Sekely
A surname of Hungarian origin meaning 'Transylvanian' or 'Székely', referring to the ethnic minority group.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 308 Americans carry the last name Sekely. That puts it at #74,375 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.09 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,112,839 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Sekely surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
308
1 in 1,112,839
Census rank
#74,375
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
260
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 260 bearers of the surname Sekely in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 74375th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Sekely, the largest self-reported group is White at 98.1%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Sekely
The surname SEKELY is of Hungarian origin, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Hungarian word "székely," which refers to a specific ethnic group residing in the Székely Land region of Transylvania, now part of Romania.
The Székelys were a distinct community of ethnic Hungarians who settled in the easternmost regions of the Kingdom of Hungary during the Middle Ages. They played a crucial role in defending the borders of the kingdom and were granted special privileges and autonomy by the Hungarian monarchs.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname SEKELY can be traced back to the 13th century, appearing in various Hungarian documents and records. One notable example is the mention of a certain "Sekely János" in a 1289 legal document from the region of Székelyföld.
In the 14th century, the name SEKELY gained prominence as several individuals bearing this surname held notable positions within the Székely community. For instance, Sekely István (1320-1385) was a respected military leader who led Székely forces in several conflicts against the Ottoman Empire.
As the Székely people migrated and settled in various parts of the Kingdom of Hungary and beyond, the surname SEKELY spread across a wider geographical area. In the 16th century, a prominent figure named Sekely Gáspár (1525-1592) gained recognition as a skilled diplomat and advisor to the Hungarian nobles.
During the 17th century, the SEKELY surname appeared in records from the city of Kolozsvár (now Cluj-Napoca, Romania), which was a major center for the Székely community. One notable individual was Sekely Mózes (1635-1701), a scholar and writer who authored several works on the history and culture of the Székelys.
In the 18th century, the name SEKELY was associated with several military officers and noblemen. One such figure was Sekely László (1718-1789), a renowned cavalry commander who served in the Imperial Austrian Army during the Seven Years' War.
The 19th century saw the SEKELY surname gain prominence in various fields, including literature and politics. Sekely Mihály (1820-1892) was a celebrated poet and writer who contributed significantly to the preservation of Székely folklore and traditions.
Throughout its history, the surname SEKELY has been closely tied to the rich cultural heritage and struggles of the Székely people, reflecting their unique identity within the broader Hungarian nation.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Sekely
Among Census respondents with the surname Sekely, the largest self-reported group is White at 98.1%.
The bar chart below shows how Sekely bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Sekely surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White98.1%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Sekely surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #74,375 | #74,375 | 0.0% |
| Count | 260 | 260 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Sekely bearers went from 260 to 260 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #74,375 to #74,375.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Sekely
FAQ
Sekely surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Sekely?
The surname Sekely holds position #74,375 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 308 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Sekely surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Sekely, the largest self-reported group is White at 98.1%. These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.