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

Heck, 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 Heck surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Heck in America

Heck is the 2580th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Heck surname appeared 13,995 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 5 people would have the surname Heck.

We can also compare 2010 data for Heck 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 Heck

The surname Heck is of German origin and derives from the Old German word "heck" meaning "hedge" or "enclosure". It was originally used as a topographic name, referring to someone who lived near or by a hedge or enclosure.

The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the 13th century, with references found in various German towns and villages. One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Heinricus Hecke, mentioned in records from the town of Mainz in 1273.

In the 14th century, the name was found in various spellings such as Hecke, Heck, and Hek, reflecting regional variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time. The name spread throughout various regions of Germany, and by the 16th century, it had become a well-established surname.

Notable historical figures bearing the surname Heck include Johann Heck (1490-1564), a German theologian and reformer who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation. Another notable bearer of the name was Hans Heck (1534-1609), a German painter and engraver known for his intricate woodcuts and engravings.

The name Heck also appeared in other parts of Europe, likely carried by German immigrants and settlers. In England, the earliest recorded instance of the name was found in the 16th century, with John Heck being mentioned in parish records from Gloucestershire in 1548.

Other notable individuals with the surname Heck throughout history include Johann Heck (1720-1799), a German composer and organist; August Heck (1834-1916), a German architect known for his work in Berlin; and Friedrich Heck (1892-1947), a German zoologist and director of the Berlin Zoo, who was instrumental in the breeding and conservation of various animal species.

While the surname Heck may not be as widely known as some other German surnames, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including theologians, artists, architects, and scientists.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Heck

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

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

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

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