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

Sillah, 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 Sillah surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sillah in America

Sillah is the 28241st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sillah surname appeared 847 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 Sillah.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sillah 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 Sillah

The surname SILLAH is believed to have originated in West Africa, specifically in the region of Senegambia, which includes modern-day Senegal and Gambia. The name likely emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century, when the area was home to several powerful kingdoms and empires.

One possible origin of the name SILLAH is from the Wolof language, spoken by the Wolof people of Senegal. It may be derived from the Wolof word "silla," which means "to follow" or "to obey." This suggests that the surname could have been given to individuals who were loyal followers or servants of a ruler or noble family.

Another theory traces the name back to the Mandinka people, who were influential in the Mali Empire and other West African kingdoms. In the Mandinka language, "sillah" could signify a connection to the practice of traditional medicine or herbalism, as the word shares similarities with terms related to healing and natural remedies.

Early records mentioning the surname SILLAH are scarce, but it is believed to have been present in various regions of West Africa during the height of the great empires and kingdoms that dominated the region, such as the Ghana Empire, the Mali Empire, and the Songhai Empire.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname SILLAH was Musa Sillah, a prominent figure in the Kingdom of Kaabu (present-day Guinea-Bissau and parts of Senegal) during the 16th century. He was a renowned military leader and advisor to the king, playing a crucial role in the kingdom's expansion and defense.

Another notable bearer of the name was Malik Sillah, a respected scholar and Islamic theologian who lived in the 18th century in the region of present-day Gambia. He was known for his vast knowledge of the Quran and Islamic teachings, and his works were widely studied and disseminated throughout West Africa.

In the 19th century, Ousmane Sillah gained recognition as a skilled architect and builder in the Senegambian region. He was responsible for the construction of several important mosques and buildings, including the Great Mosque of Bakau in modern-day Gambia, which is considered a masterpiece of West African architecture.

During the era of European colonization in West Africa, Fatou Sillah emerged as a prominent figure in the resistance against French rule in Senegal. She was a respected leader and strategist, inspiring her people to fight for their independence and cultural preservation.

Lastly, in the 20th century, Abdoulaye Sillah was a renowned Senegalese painter and artist, celebrated for his vibrant depictions of traditional West African life and culture. His works are featured in numerous galleries and museums around the world, and he is considered one of the most influential African artists of his time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sillah

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

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

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

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