Explore the Family Name Seppala

The meaning of Seppala

Finnish (Seppälä): habitational name from farms so named, from seppä ‘blacksmith’ + the locative suffix -lä. In most cases the name refers to the smith who lived in the house, but particularly in northern Ostrobothnia it may contain the root of the surname Seppänen (see Seppanen). Established as a hereditary surname since the 19th century chiefly in western and southern Finland. Some characteristic forenames: Finnish Pentti, Armas, Arvo, Eino, Jouni, Juha, Runo.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Seppala in the United States?

According to the data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Seppala has seen a slight increase between 2000 and 2010. In year 2000, it ranked 25098 in popularity with a count of 927, representing a proportion of 0.34 per 100k. By 2010, the rank had improved to 24305 with a total count of 1032, signifying an increase of 11.33%. The proportion per 100k also increased to 0.35, marking a growth rate of 2.94%.

20002010Change
Rank#25,098#24,3053.16%
Count9271,03211.33%
Proportion per 100k0.340.352.94%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Seppala

In terms of ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals several shifts within the population bearing the surname Seppala. The majority identified as White, with this group making up 96.87% of the population in 2000 and slightly decreasing to 96.41% in 2010. There was a significant jump in those identifying as two or more races, increasing from 0.76% to 1.45%. The Hispanic representation also saw a modest increase from 1.19% to 1.26%. However, there was a complete drop in those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian and Alaskan Native from 2000 to 2010.

20002010Change
White96.87%96.41%-0.47%
Two or More Races0.76%1.45%90.79%
Hispanic1.19%1.26%5.88%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.54%0%0%
Black0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0.65%0%0%