Find out how popular the last name Ratkay is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Ratkay.

Ratkay, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Ratkay surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Ratkay in America

Ratkay is the 148244th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ratkay surname appeared 102 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ratkay.

The history of the last name Ratkay

The surname Ratkay is of Hungarian origin, dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to have emerged in regions that are presently part of Hungary and Croatia. The surname is derived from the old Hungarian word "rat," which means knight or warrior, combined with a locative suffix "-kay," indicating a connection to a place or status.

One of the earliest references to the name Ratkay comes from medieval records in the Kingdom of Hungary. Official documents from the 13th century mention noble families bearing the name Ratkay. This suggests the name was linked to aristocratic or knightly families. A notable early record includes a 1241 entry in the Hungarian royal archives referencing a knight named Péter Ratkay, who served under King Béla IV.

The Ratkay family became particularly prominent during the Renaissance period. One of the most illustrious members was Ferenc Ratkay (1480-1547), a Hungarian nobleman who played a significant role in the battles against the Ottoman Empire during the early 16th century. His deeds were commemorated in several chronicles of the time, highlighting the valor and strategic acumen associated with the Ratkay name.

Another significant bearer of the surname was János Ratkay (1633-1691), a noted figure in the Habsburg monarchy. János was an influential advisor to the Habsburg court and played a substantial role in the military campaigns against the Turks. His contributions are documented in various military records and personal correspondences with Emperor Leopold I.

The literary world saw the emergence of Miklós Ratkay (1769-1823), a Hungarian poet and writer. Miklós Ratkay’s works were widely read and contributed to the Hungarian literary renaissance. His poems often celebrated national pride and recorded the beauty and struggles of his homeland, thus cementing the surname in the cultural memory of Hungary.

In the realm of ecclesiastical history, Bishop Antal Ratkay (1795-1860) was a significant figure. Ordained in early 19th-century Hungary, Antal Ratkay was known for his reformist views and efforts to modernize the church. His leadership and theological writings are still referenced in studies about church history and reformation within the Hungarian context.

Lastly, the surname Ratkay is associated with Zoltán Ratkay (1884-1936), a pioneering figure in the field of medicine. He was a renowned surgeon and medical researcher who published several influential papers on surgical techniques and medical treatments. His contributions were recognized at various medical congresses across Europe, ensuring the Ratkay name was synonymous with innovation and excellence in medicine.

Throughout history, the surname Ratkay has been associated with nobility, valor, cultural enrichment, ecclesiastical influence, and medical advancement, reflecting a rich legacy originating from medieval Hungary.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ratkay

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Ratkay.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ratkay was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Ratkay was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ratkay, please contact us.

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