This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Dakota family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Dakota Family History

Dakota Surname Meaning

Native American (Sioux): ethnic name from the name of the Native American Dakota people, a division of the Sioux nation, which means ‘allied’ (or ‘allies’) and ‘friendly’ (or ‘friends’) in their language (compare Lakota).

In North America, this surname is in many cases apparently also an adoption of 1 above in place of some other (perhaps like-sounding) surname.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Dakota family from?

You can see how Dakota families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Dakota family name was found in the USA between 1880 and 1920. The most Dakota families were found in USA in 1920. In 1880 there were 5 Dakota families living in Massachusetts. This was about 45% of all the recorded Dakota's in USA. Massachusetts had the highest population of Dakota families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Dakota surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Dakota ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer was the top reported job for people in the USA named Dakota. 100% of Dakota men worked as a Laborer.

View Census Data for Dakota | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    100%

What Dakota family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 699 census records available for the last name Dakota. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Dakota census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Dakota

Passenger Lists

There are 33 immigration records available for the last name Dakota. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Dakota immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 992 military records available for the last name Dakota. For the veterans among your Dakota ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Dakota military records

You've only scratched the surface of Dakota family history

Discover More

What is the average Dakota lifespan?

Between 1965 and 2004, in the United States, Dakota life expectancy was at its lowest point in 2004, and highest in 1965. The average life expectancy for Dakota in 1965 was 93, and 29 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Dakota

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Dakota ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Dakota family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial