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

Beek, 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 Beek surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Beek in America

Beek is the 45347th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Beek surname appeared 472 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Beek.

We can also compare 2010 data for Beek to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Beek

The surname "BEEK" is of Dutch origin, deriving from the old Dutch word "beek" meaning a small stream or brook. This name first emerged in the Low Countries, particularly in the regions of modern-day Netherlands and Belgium, during the early medieval period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Leiden Municipal Archives, where a certain "Willem van den Beek" is mentioned in a document dated 1337. This suggests that the name was already well-established in the region by the 14th century.

During the 15th century, the name appeared in various records across the Low Countries, often associated with small villages or hamlets located near streams or brooks, reflecting the name's original geographic connotation. For example, the village of Beek in the province of Limburg was recorded as "Beke" in a charter from 1465.

In the 16th century, the name gained further prominence with the birth of Pieter Cornelisz van Beek (c. 1510 - c. 1586), a Dutch Renaissance painter known for his religious works and portraits. His artistic contributions helped solidify the name's legacy in the cultural annals of the Netherlands.

Another notable figure bearing the surname was Jacobus van Beek (1620-1677), a Dutch Golden Age painter known for his landscapes and genre scenes. His works were highly sought after by collectors and patrons of his time, further elevating the name's prestige.

In the 18th century, the name appeared in various historical records across Europe, including the birth of Martinus van Beek (1742-1808), a Dutch military officer who served in the Patriot Revolution and later became a prominent politician in the Batavian Republic.

As the name spread beyond the Low Countries, it also gained recognition in other parts of Europe. One such individual was Carl Friedrich van Beek (1773-1838), a German painter and engraver known for his landscapes and architectural works.

Throughout its long history, the surname "BEEK" has been associated with various notable figures across various fields, from artists and military leaders to politicians and scholars. While its origins can be traced back to the humble brooks and streams of the Low Countries, the name has transcended its geographic roots, becoming a part of the rich tapestry of European surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Beek

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Beek 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Beek has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Beek was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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