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

Highelk, 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 Highelk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Highelk in America

Highelk is the 144141st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Highelk surname appeared 115 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 Highelk.

We can also compare 2010 data for Highelk 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 Highelk

The surname HIGHELK has its origins in medieval England, tracing back to the early 13th century. It is believed to have originated in the northern counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire, where it was likely derived from a place name or an old occupational title.

One theory suggests that HIGHELK may have evolved from the Old English words "heh" (meaning high) and "elc" (meaning elk or stag), potentially referring to someone who lived or worked near a high terrain inhabited by elk or deer. Another possibility is that it was a locational name based on a now-lost or obscure place name containing similar elements.

Some of the earliest recorded instances of the HIGHELK surname can be found in historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. For example, a Thomas Highelk is mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1301, while a John Highelke appears in the Pipe Rolls of Lancashire in 1379.

During the medieval period, the name was often spelled in various ways, such as Highelk, Highilk, Highelke, and Highelke, reflecting the inconsistencies in record-keeping and regional dialects of the time.

One notable bearer of the HIGHELK surname was Sir William Highelk (c. 1325-1392), a knight and landowner from Yorkshire who served as a member of Parliament during the reign of King Edward III. He was also involved in military campaigns against Scotland and France.

Another prominent individual was Robert Highelk (c. 1470-1542), a merchant and alderman in the city of York. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and contributed to the construction of several churches and charitable institutions in the region.

In the 16th century, the HIGHELK family established itself in the county of Lancashire, where they owned estates and lands. A notable member from this branch was Elizabeth Highelk (1587-1664), who was involved in local governance and served as a Justice of the Peace.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, several members of the HIGHELK family fought on both sides of the conflict. One such individual was Captain John Highelk (1620-1678), a Royalist officer who fought for King Charles I and was later granted lands in recognition of his service.

Over the centuries, the HIGHELK surname has become relatively rare, with only a handful of families still bearing the name today. However, its historical roots and connections to medieval England serve as a testament to the rich tapestry of British surnames and their enduring legacies.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Highelk

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

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

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

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