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Opela Family History

Opela Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Opiela, Opel, Opelt, Vela, Pola, Perla, Pala, Pell, Kopel, Pella

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Opela family from?

You can see how Opela families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Opela family name was found in the USA in 1920. In 1920 there were 12 Opela families living in Texas. This was about 41% of all the recorded Opela's in USA. Texas had the highest population of Opela families in 1920.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Opela surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Opela ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Farm Laborer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Opela. 50% of Opela men worked as a Farmer and 75% of Opela women worked as a Farm Laborer. Some less common occupations for Americans named Opela were Laborer and Cook.

View Census Data for Opela | 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

  • Farmer
    50%
  • Farm Laborer
    30%
  • Laborer
    21%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Farm Laborer
    75%
  • Cook
    25%

What Opela family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 645 census records available for the last name Opela. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Opela census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Opela

Passenger Lists

There are 48 immigration records available for the last name Opela. 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 Opela immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 206 military records available for the last name Opela. For the veterans among your Opela ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Opela military records

You've only scratched the surface of Opela family history

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What is the average Opela lifespan?

Between 1966 and 2004, in the United States, Opela life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1976, and highest in 1974. The average life expectancy for Opela in 1966 was 67, and 81 in 2004.

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Opela 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 Opela family tree

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