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

Deak, 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 Deak surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Deak in America

Deak is the 21912th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Deak surname appeared 1,185 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 Deak.

We can also compare 2010 data for Deak 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 Deak

The surname DEAK is of Hungarian origin, with its roots dating back to the 15th century. It is believed to be derived from the Hungarian word "deák," which initially referred to a scholar or a clerk who could read and write, particularly in Latin.

In medieval times, the ability to read and write was a rare skill, and those who possessed it were highly respected. The term "deák" was used as a title of honor, recognizing an individual's literacy and scholarly pursuits. Over time, it evolved into a surname, indicating that an ancestor held this esteemed position or was associated with the clergy or educational institutions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname DEAK can be found in the 16th-century Hungarian chronicles, where it is mentioned in relation to various scholars and clergymen. These early references often appear in church records and official documents, reflecting the prominence of individuals bearing this surname in ecclesiastical and scholarly circles.

One notable figure with the surname DEAK was Ferenc Deák (1803-1876), a Hungarian statesman and political leader who played a pivotal role in the 1867 Austro-Hungarian Compromise. He was widely respected for his efforts in promoting Hungarian autonomy within the Austrian Empire and is considered a national hero in Hungary.

Another prominent individual was Judit Déak (1932-2020), an American historian and professor who specialized in Hungarian history and the Holocaust. She authored several books on these subjects, including "Essays on Hitler's Europe" and "Surviving the Holocaust in Hungary," shedding light on the experiences of Hungarian Jews during World War II.

In the realm of literature, the name DEAK is associated with the Hungarian writer and journalist, Sámuel Deák (1750-1824), who was a prominent figure in the Hungarian Enlightenment movement. His works, including plays and political writings, contributed significantly to the cultural and intellectual discourse of his time.

The surname DEAK can also be found in other historical records, such as land registries and census documents, indicating the presence of families with this surname across various regions of Hungary throughout the centuries.

It is worth noting that variations in spelling, such as Deak, Deák, and Deak, may have occurred due to regional dialects, transliterations, or personal preferences, but they all share the same linguistic and cultural origins within the Hungarian context.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Deak

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

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

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

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