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

Simental, 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 Simental surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Simental in America

Simental is the 8380th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Simental surname appeared 3,950 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 Simental.

We can also compare 2010 data for Simental 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 Simental

The surname Simental has its origins in Switzerland, particularly in the canton of Bern. The name likely emerged during the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. It is believed to be derived from the Swiss German term "Simental," which refers to the Simmental Valley region in the Bernese Oberland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Simental surname can be found in the Swiss census records of the 16th century. In these records, various spellings such as "Simental," "Siementhal," and "Symental" are documented, reflecting the regional dialects and variations in spelling conventions of the time.

The Simental surname is closely tied to the Simmental Valley, a picturesque region known for its pastoral landscapes and rich agricultural traditions. It is possible that the name initially referred to individuals who hailed from or had connections to this valley, either as landowners, farmers, or residents.

In the late 18th century, a notable figure bearing the Simental surname was Johann Rudolf Simental (1725-1796), a Swiss pastor and theologian who served in the Bernese Oberland region. His writings and sermons contributed to the religious and intellectual discourse of the time.

Another prominent individual with the Simental surname was Hans Simental (1860-1937), a Swiss politician and farmer who served as a member of the National Council, representing the canton of Bern. He was instrumental in advocating for the interests of the agricultural community during his tenure.

In the realm of literature, the name Simental is associated with the Swiss author and poet, Anna Simental (1888-1972). Her works, which often explored themes of rural life and the natural world, earned her recognition within the Swiss literary circles of the early 20th century.

The Simental surname also has a historical connection to the Simmental cattle breed, which originated in the Simmental Valley region. This breed is known for its distinctive reddish-yellow color and exceptional milk production capabilities, and it has gained global popularity among dairy farmers and cattle breeders.

While the Simental surname may not be as widely recognized as some other Swiss surnames, it holds a rich historical significance rooted in the pastoral traditions and cultural heritage of the Bernese Oberland region. The name's association with the Simmental Valley and its renowned cattle breed serves as a testament to the agricultural heritage of this alpine region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Simental

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

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

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

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