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

Selvog, 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 Selvog surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Selvog in America

Selvog is the 144141st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Selvog surname appeared 115 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 Selvog.

We can also compare 2010 data for Selvog 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 Selvog

The surname SELVOG has its origins in the Scandinavian region, specifically in Norway. It is believed to have emerged during the Viking era, around the 8th to 11th centuries. The name is derived from the Old Norse words "selr" meaning "seal" and "vogr" meaning "inlet" or "bay." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who lived near seal-populated inlets or coastal areas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the SELVOG surname can be traced back to the late 12th century, when a Norwegian chieftain named Thorbjorn SELVOG is mentioned in the Saga of Olaf Haraldsson. This saga, written in the 13th century, chronicles the life and deeds of King Olaf II of Norway, who ruled from 1015 to 1030.

In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the SELVOG name was Sigurd SELVOG, a prominent trader and landowner from the coastal town of Trondheim. His name appears in several contemporary records, including a land grant document dated 1367.

During the 16th century, a branch of the SELVOG family is known to have settled in the Lofoten Islands, an archipelago renowned for its rich fishing grounds. One of their descendants, Gunnar SELVOG (1562-1638), was a skilled navigator and captain who led several successful fishing expeditions to the Arctic waters.

In the 17th century, a scholar and writer named Erik SELVOG (1621-1692) gained recognition for his works on Norse mythology and folklore. His seminal work, "The Saga of the Northern Gods," published in 1678, remains an important source for understanding the pre-Christian beliefs and traditions of Scandinavia.

Another notable figure was Ingrid SELVOG (1784-1862), a renowned weaver and textile artist from the town of Bergen. Her intricate tapestries and embroidered pieces are currently exhibited in several museums across Norway, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region.

While the SELVOG surname is most prevalent in Norway, it can also be found in other parts of Scandinavia, as well as in communities with significant Norwegian ancestry around the world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Selvog

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

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

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

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