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 Makela family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Makela Family History

Makela Surname Meaning

Finnish (Mäkelä): habitational name from farms so named from mäki ‘hill’ (compare Maki) + the locative suffix -lä.

Established as a hereditary surname in western and southern Finland mainly since the 19th century.

Also adopted as an ornamental name during the name-changing campaigns of the early 20th century.

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 Makela family from?

You can see how Makela families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Makela family name was found in the USA, and Canada between 1911 and 1920. The most Makela families were found in USA in 1920. In 1911 there were 9 Makela families living in Ontario. This was about 90% of all the recorded Makela's in Canada. Ontario had the highest population of Makela families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Makela 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 Makela ancestors do for a living?

In 1921, Farmer was the top reported job for people in the Canada named Makela. 54% of Makela men worked as a Farmer.

View Census Data for Makela | 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.

Top Male Occupations In 1921

  • Farmer
    54%
  • Journalier
    16%
  • Labourer
    16%
  • Miner
    16%

What Makela family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 3,000 census records available for the last name Makela. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Makela census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Makela

Passenger Lists

There are 4,000 immigration records available for the last name Makela. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Makela immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 729 military records available for the last name Makela. For the veterans among your Makela ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Makela military records

You've only scratched the surface of Makela family history

Discover More

What is the average Makela lifespan?

Between 1956 and 2004, in the United States, Makela life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1957, and highest in 1964. The average life expectancy for Makela in 1956 was 56, and 82 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Makela

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

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