Explore the Family Name Senegal
The meaning of Senegal
1. African American: from a personal name based on the name of the African country Senegal. It originates from LA, where the majority of slaves was brought over from the Senegambia. 2. French: rare variant of Sénécal, a status name for a seneschal (see Senecal), possibly respelled under the influence of the well-known name of the African country (see 1 above). This may, in some cases, also be an Americanized form of the French surname. Compare Sinegal. History: The personal name Senegal, borne by a slave in LA, was documented in 1777 in the French form Çinigal, and in the 19th century it was already established as a surname.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Senegal in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Senegal has seen a slight decrease in popularity over a decade. In 2000, it ranked 21,335 in terms of commonality but slipped slightly to 21,609 by 2010, marking a decline of 1.28%. However, the number of people carrying this surname increased from 1,144 in 2000 to 1,207 in 2010, a rise of 5.51%. The proportion per 100,000 people saw a minor drop of 2.38%, moving from 0.42 in 2000 to 0.41 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #21,335 | #21,609 | -1.28% |
| Count | 1,144 | 1,207 | 5.51% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.42 | 0.41 | -2.38% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Senegal
The ethnic identity associated with the surname Senegal also shifted during this period according to the U.S. Census data. In 2000, around 93.27% of those bearing the surname identified as Black, but this figure decreased to 89.81% by 2010. The percentage identifying as White rose from 2.10% to 3.40%, and the Hispanic representation also increased from 2.10% to 2.73%. There was also a notable increase in those identifying with two or more races, jumping from 2.27% to 3.31%. No individuals with the surname Senegal identified as Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either census year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 93.27% | 89.81% | -3.71% |
| White | 2.1% | 3.4% | 61.9% |
| Two or More Races | 2.27% | 3.31% | 45.81% |
| Hispanic | 2.1% | 2.73% | 30% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |