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

Hanka, 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 Hanka surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hanka in America

Hanka is the 76768th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hanka surname appeared 250 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 Hanka.

We can also compare 2010 data for Hanka 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 Hanka

The surname HANKA is believed to have originated in Eastern Europe, specifically in the region that is now Poland and Ukraine. Its roots can be traced back to the 14th century, and it is thought to have derived from the Slavic word "hanka," which means "small vessel" or "container."

One of the earliest known references to the HANKA name can be found in a Polish legal document from the year 1387, where it is recorded as "Hanko." This suggests that the name was already in use by that time and had likely been around for several decades, if not longer.

During the Middle Ages, the HANKA surname was particularly prevalent in the areas around the cities of Krakow and Lviv, which were important trade centers at the time. It is believed that the name may have been associated with individuals who worked as potters or makers of ceramic vessels, as these crafts were highly valued and respected in those regions.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the HANKA surname was Jan Hanka, a Polish scholar and educator who lived from 1535 to 1612. He was known for his contributions to the field of linguistics and for his work in promoting the use of the Polish language in academic settings.

Another prominent figure with the HANKA surname was Wacław Hanka, a Polish historian and archivist who lived from 1782 to 1851. He is best known for his work in preserving and cataloging historical documents and manuscripts from the region, many of which provided valuable insights into the lives and customs of the people who lived there.

In the 19th century, the HANKA surname gained further recognition with the birth of Václav Hanka (1791-1861), a Czech philologist and writer who played a significant role in the Czech National Revival movement. He is credited with the discovery and publication of several important literary works, including the manuscripts of the Dwor Kralowé and Zelená Hora.

The HANKA surname also has ties to the region of Silesia, which was once part of Prussia and is now divided between Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. In the early 20th century, a notable figure with this surname was Franciszek Hanka (1878-1957), a Polish politician and activist who fought for the rights of the Silesian people and worked to promote their cultural identity.

Throughout history, the HANKA surname has been associated with various professions and walks of life, including artisans, scholars, writers, and political figures. While its origins can be traced back to Eastern Europe, the name has since spread to other parts of the world, carried by individuals and families who have migrated or relocated over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hanka

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

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

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

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