Capek
A Czech surname that refers to the occupation of a hatter or furrier.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 617 Americans carry the last name Capek. That puts it at #41,164 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.18 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 555,518 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Capek surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
617
1 in 555,518
Census rank
#41,164
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
529
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 529 bearers of the surname Capek in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.18 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 41164th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Capek, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.5%) and Two or More Races (1.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Capek
The surname Capek is of Czech origin, derived from the word "cap" meaning "rooster" or "cock." It is believed to have originated as a nickname or occupational name for someone who raised or dealt with roosters or worked as a poultry farmer.
The earliest known record of the Capek surname can be traced back to the 15th century in the region of Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic. The name appears in various historical documents and records from that time period, often spelled slightly differently, such as Czapek or Czapeck.
One notable historical reference to the Capek name is found in the Bohemian Land Records from the late 16th century, where a certain Jan Capek is mentioned as owning a small farm in the village of Lhota.
In the 18th century, the Capek surname gained prominence with the birth of Vaclav Matej Capek (1715-1782), a renowned Czech philosopher and theologian who wrote extensively on ethics and moral philosophy.
Another famous bearer of the Capek name was Karel Capek (1890-1938), a celebrated Czech writer and playwright who is best known for introducing the word "robot" into the English language through his science fiction play "R.U.R."
Other noteworthy individuals with the Capek surname include:
1. Josef Capek (1887-1945), a Czech painter and writer, and the older brother of Karel Capek.
2. Jaroslav Capek (1903-1966), a Czech composer and conductor known for his orchestral and chamber works.
3. Milada Capkova (1898-1986), a Czech actress and wife of Karel Capek, who appeared in several films and stage productions.
4. Frantisek Capek (1914-2008), a Czech painter and graphic artist renowned for his abstract and surrealist works.
5. Jakub Capek (born 1982), a contemporary Czech novelist and screenwriter known for his critically acclaimed novel "Sladky zivot" (The Sweet Life).
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Capek
Among Census respondents with the surname Capek, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.5%) and Two or More Races (1.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Capek bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Capek surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.1%
- Unknown or suppressed2.1%
- Hispanic or Latino1.5%
- Two or more races1.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Capek surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #37,788 | #41,164 | -8.9% |
| Count | 553 | 529 | -4.3% |
| Per 100K | 0.20 | 0.18 | -10.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Capek bearers went from 553 to 529 (-4.3% change). The surname moved down 3,376 positions in the national ranking, going from #37,788 to #41,164.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Capek
FAQ
Capek surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Capek?
The surname Capek holds position #41,164 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 617 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.18 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Capek surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Capek, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.5%) and Two or More Races (1.3%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.