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

Douda, 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 Douda surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Douda in America

Douda is the 146011th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Douda surname appeared 104 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 Douda.

The history of the last name Douda

The surname Douda originates from the Czech Republic, also known historically as Bohemia. Its roots date back to the medieval period, likely around the 13th to 15th centuries, when surnames began to be adopted for the purposes of identification and record-keeping. Douda is believed to derive from an old Czech word "dud(a)" meaning "bagpipe" or "bagpiper." This etymology suggests that the name may have originally been a nickname or occupational surname for someone who played the bagpipes.

In the regions of Bohemia and Moravia, the name Douda appears in various historical manuscripts and records. The earliest recorded instance of the surname dates back to the 14th century in a land register for the town of Kutná Hora, a site renowned for its silver mines and historical significance. Due to the prevalence of bagpipes in medieval European cultures, the name Douda may have initially spread in circles associated with music, entertainment, or festive occasions.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Douda was Jan Douda (born circa 1480, died 1540), a landowner and minor noble in southern Bohemia, known for his generous donations to local churches. In the 16th century, the name appears in various tax records and legal documents, suggesting it was borne by several families across rural and urban areas alike.

In the 17th century, Jiří Douda (born 1620, died 1685) emerged as a significant figure, serving as a town councilor in the city of Brno. His contributions to local administrative reforms are documented in the city’s historical archive. Another individual, Václav Douda (born 1710, died 1772), gained recognition as a skilled artisan, particularly in the craft of wood carving, producing works that adorned several prominent churches in Prague.

The 19th century saw Josef Douda (born 1835, died 1901), a noted Czech poet and a contemporary of the Czech National Revival movement. His literary works often reflected the social and cultural themes of his time and contributed to the burgeoning sense of Czech national identity.

In the early 20th century, František Douda (born 1908, died 1990) became well-known in the field of athletics. He was a pioneering shot putter, setting several records and competing in international events, including the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles where he won a bronze medal.

Throughout history, the surname Douda has maintained its ties to its Czech origins and reflects a rich tapestry of social roles—from musicians and artisans to poets and athletes. The persistence of the name across centuries underscores its cultural resonance and historical importance within the Czech Republic.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Douda

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

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

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

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