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

Delk, 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 Delk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Delk in America

Delk is the 6498th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Delk surname appeared 5,222 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Delk.

We can also compare 2010 data for Delk 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 Delk

The surname Delk is believed to have originated in Germany, with roots dating back to the 16th century. It is thought to have derived from the German word "delk," which means "a small wooden plank or board." This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname given to those who worked as carpenters or wood craftsmen.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Delk can be found in the baptismal records of the village of Hessen in the late 1500s. The name was often spelled "Delck" or "Delckh" in these early records, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation that were common during that time period.

In the 17th century, the Delk surname began to appear in various regions of Germany, including Bavaria and Saxony. This geographic spread suggests that members of the Delk family may have migrated or established new branches throughout different parts of the country.

While there are no known references to the Delk name in major historical records like the Domesday Book, some notable individuals bearing this surname have left their mark in history. One such figure was Johannes Delk (1595-1672), a German theologian and philosopher who wrote extensively on the concept of free will and predestination.

Another prominent Delk was Johann Friedrich Delk (1768-1842), a German composer and organist who served as the court conductor for the Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. His works, though lesser-known today, were highly regarded during his lifetime.

In the 19th century, the Delk name can be found in various regions of Germany, as well as in parts of Austria and Switzerland, indicating the continued spread and migration of families bearing this surname. One notable figure from this era was Karl Delk (1832-1908), a German engineer who made significant contributions to the development of early steam engines and locomotives.

As the Delk surname spread across Europe, it also found its way to other parts of the world through immigration. In the United States, for example, there are records of a Johann Delk (1825-1899) who emigrated from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania in the mid-19th century.

While the Delk surname may not be as widely known as some other German names, it has a rich history that can be traced back several centuries. From its origins as an occupational surname to its spread throughout Germany and beyond, the Delk name has left its mark on the tapestry of human history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Delk

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

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

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

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