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

Silas, 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 Silas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Silas in America

Silas is the 7080th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Silas surname appeared 4,729 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Silas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Silas 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 Silas

The surname Silas is of Greek origin, with the earliest records dating back to the 1st century AD. It is derived from the Greek word "Silas," which means "forest" or "woody." This name was initially given as a personal name to individuals who lived near or in the forests.

In ancient times, the name Silas was mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Acts. One of the early followers of Christianity was called Silas, who traveled alongside the apostle Paul, spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ. This association with early Christianity likely contributed to the name's popularity and widespread use.

The surname Silas can be traced back to various regions in Greece, particularly in the areas around Athens and Thessaloniki. As the name spread across Europe during the Middle Ages, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Sylas, Sylo, and Silaz.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Silas can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This document mentions a landowner named Silas de Brampton, who held estates in the county of Northamptonshire.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Silas. One of the most famous was Silas Deane (1737-1789), an American merchant and politician who played a crucial role in securing French aid during the American Revolutionary War. Another prominent figure was Silas Weir Mitchell (1829-1914), an American physician and writer known for his pioneering work in neurological disorders and his contributions to the literary genre of psychological fiction.

In the realm of art, Silas Hoadley (1786-1857) was an American landscape painter renowned for his depictions of the Hudson River Valley and the Catskill Mountains. Silas Mainville Hubbard (1801-1876), on the other hand, was a respected American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives.

Lastly, Silas Deering (1836-1923) was a prominent American businessman and inventor who founded the Deering Harvester Company, which later merged with several other companies to form the International Harvester Company, a major agricultural machinery manufacturer.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds of individuals who have carried the surname Silas, showcasing its enduring presence across various fields and cultures throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Silas

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

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

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

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