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

Jurk, 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 Jurk surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Jurk in America

Jurk is the 135837th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Jurk surname appeared 114 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 Jurk.

The history of the last name Jurk

The surname Jurk is believed to have Eastern European origins, particularly rooted in regions such as Poland and Germany. The name likely emerged around the medieval period, roughly between the 12th and 15th centuries. These areas were linguistically connected through the Slavic and Germanic languages, influencing local surnames through cultural exchange and migration.

The surname Jurk may be derived from the Slavic word "jurkowy," which means lively or energetic. This suggests that the name could have originally been a nickname for someone known for their vibrant nature. Alternatively, it might come from a diminutive form of the given name Jurgen or George, common in Germany and surrounding regions, often reflecting the stature or character of the individuals bearing the name.

Historical references to Jurk can be sparse but notable. One such record is a 15th-century manuscript detailing the settlement of Germanic tribes, which includes mention of a Jan Jurk, a merchant who lived in the city of Gdansk (Danzig). This backdrop of trading cities and merchant classes could have provided a setting for the dissemination of the surname.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname appears in a parish registry from 1463 in Krakow, Poland, listing a Mikolaj Jurk as a landholder. This suggests that the name had already gained some prominence, possibly linked to land ownership or local governance.

Several notable individuals bearing the surname Jurk appear throughout history. One such figure is Andrzej Jurk (1520-1590), a Polish nobleman known for his role in the Sejm, the legislative assembly of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. His involvement in regional politics and military affairs made his family name well-regarded in Polish aristocratic circles.

Another prominent figure is Wilhelm Jurk (1780-1855), a Prussian military officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. His tactical skills and leadership in several key battles, including the Battle of Leipzig, highlight the prominent military presence of the Jurk family in Prussian history.

The surname also surfaces in cultural contexts, such as with Maria Jurk (1857-1932), a renowned German painter whose works were celebrated for their vivid color and representation of rural life. Her contributions to the German art scene were significant in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

A famous figure from the 20th century bearing the surname is Hans Jurk (1910-1980), a notable German physicist who made significant advances in the field of quantum mechanics. His research and published works greatly influenced scientific understandings during the mid-20th century.

Lastly, Tadeusz Jurk (1932-1999), a Polish jazz musician, made a significant mark on the development of contemporary jazz in post-war Eastern Europe. His innovative compositions and performances helped shape the genre and earned him a place among the notable bearers of the Jurk surname.

The historical lineage of the surname Jurk thus reflects a diverse and multifaceted heritage, intertwined with significant cultural, military, and scientific contributions throughout European history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Jurk

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

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

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

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