Elk
A surname derived from the English cognate for the animal "elk".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 651 Americans carry the last name Elk. That puts it at #39,659 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.19 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 526,504 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Elk 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
651
1 in 526,504
Census rank
#39,659
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
554
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 554 bearers of the surname Elk in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.19 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 39659th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Elk, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.2%. The next largest groups are American Indian/Alaska Native (25.3%) and Two or More Races (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Elk
The surname Elk originated in England, emerging in the early medieval period around the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from Old English words such as "ellc" or "elc," meaning "elk" or "great deer." These words likely referred to someone who lived near a forest or location where elk roamed, or perhaps someone who had a distinctive physical characteristic reminiscent of an elk.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Elk can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The Domesday Book mentions an individual named Aelfric Elk, who held land in Oxfordshire.
During the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, including Elk, Elke, and Elcke. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a record of landowners and tenants, there is an entry for a William Elk from Lincolnshire. The Subsidy Rolls of 1327 also mention a John Elke from Yorkshire.
In the 15th century, the Elk surname was associated with several notable individuals. One example is John Elk, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of Norwich, who lived from around 1420 to 1490. Another is William Elk, a clergyman and scholar who served as the rector of St. Peter's Church in Norwich from 1472 until his death in 1499.
Moving into the 16th century, the Elk surname continued to appear in various records. One notable figure was Robert Elk, an English playwright and poet who lived from around 1520 to 1590. His works included plays and poetic works dedicated to Queen Elizabeth I.
In the 17th century, the name Elk was associated with several prominent figures in the English Civil War. One example is Sir Edward Elk, a Royalist commander who fought for King Charles I and was knighted for his service in 1642. Another is Captain Thomas Elk, a Parliamentary officer who served under Oliver Cromwell and participated in several key battles, including the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644.
As the Elk surname spread throughout the British Isles and beyond, it also took on various spelling variations, such as Elke, Elkey, and Elkey. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of individual families.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Elk
Among Census respondents with the surname Elk, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.2%. The next largest groups are American Indian/Alaska Native (25.3%) and Two or More Races (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Elk 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 Elk surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White68.2%
- American Indian and Alaska Native25.3%
- Two or more races2.5%
- Black or African American1.4%
- Hispanic or Latino1.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Elk 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #39,659 | #39,659 | 0.0% |
| Count | 554 | 554 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Elk bearers went from 554 to 554 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #39,659 to #39,659.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Elk
FAQ
Elk surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Elk?
The surname Elk holds position #39,659 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 651 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.19 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Elk surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Elk, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.2%. The next largest groups are American Indian/Alaska Native (25.3%) and Two or More Races (2.5%). 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.