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

Greck, 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 Greck surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Greck in America

Greck is the 118236th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Greck surname appeared 136 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 Greck.

The history of the last name Greck

The surname Greck is believed to have its origins in Eastern Europe, particularly within Poland and the surrounding regions. Earliest references date back to the Medieval period, where surnames started to become hereditary. The name appears to be derived from an old Slavic word grk, translating to Greek, indicating a possible attribution to ancient Greek influence or descent, or sometimes referring to a person who dealt with Greek culture or goods.

Historical references to the surname Greck appear sporadically in old Polish records from the 13th century, particularly in ecclesiastical documents and land grants. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in a 1257 manuscript listing landowners in the Kraków region. This document mentions a Janusz Greck, who was noted for trading in goods from the Byzantine Empire, underscoring his possible Greek connections.

In the 15th century, another notable individual bearing this surname was Anselm Greck, born in 1423 and recorded as a merchant in the Hanseatic city of Danzig (modern-day Gdańsk). His trade dealings spanned several countries in Northern Europe, and he played a significant role in fostering trade relations between Poland and the Germanic regions.

During the Renaissance period, the name appears in various forms such as Greke and Grecko, reflecting regional dialectical variations. One particularly famous person from this era was Magdalena Greck, born in 1531, who was known for her extensive contributions to the arts and patronage of classical scholarship in Kraków. Her support enabled several vital translations of Greek philosophical texts into Polish, fostering educational progress.

In the 17th century, the name Greck continued to be of significance, highlighted by Baron Stefan Greck, a nobleman born in 1621. He served in the military under King John III Sobieski and played a crucial role in the Battle of Vienna in 1683, which was pivotal in the history of European conflicts against the Ottoman Empire.

A somewhat less well-known bearer of the surname was Helena Greck, born in 1754, who became a prominent figure in the Polish Enlightenment. Her salons in Warsaw were frequented by leading intellectuals of the time, contributing to the literary and political ferment that characterized the era.

Throughout these centuries, the surname Greck has maintained its association with cultural and economic activities bridging East and West. The name persists today, carrying a legacy rooted in history, commerce, and intellectual tradition.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Greck

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

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

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

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