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

Kadlec, 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 Kadlec surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kadlec in America

Kadlec is the 15533rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kadlec surname appeared 1,884 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Kadlec.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kadlec 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 Kadlec

The surname Kadlec has its origins in the Czech Republic, tracing back to the late 15th century. It is believed to have derived from the Czech word "kadlec," which refers to a small bucket or pail. This suggests that the name may have originally been an occupational surname associated with those who crafted or sold these vessels.

One of the earliest documented references to the Kadlec name can be found in the records of the village of Sedlec in the Bohemian region of the Czech Republic. These records, dating back to the late 1400s, mention several individuals bearing the Kadlec surname, indicating that the name had already become established in the area.

As the name spread throughout the region, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Kadletz, Kadlecz, and Kadlitz. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the inconsistencies in record-keeping during those times.

In the 16th century, the Kadlec name gained prominence with the birth of Jan Kadlec (1509-1589), a renowned Czech composer and organist who served at the court of Emperor Maximilian II. His compositions and contributions to sacred music during the Renaissance period have earned him a place in the annals of Czech musical history.

Another notable figure bearing the Kadlec surname was Vaclav Kadlec (1720-1798), a Czech architect and builder who was responsible for the construction of several churches and monasteries in the Bohemian region. His masterpiece, the Church of St. Michael in Olomouc, is considered one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in the Czech lands.

In the 19th century, the Kadlec name found its way into the realm of literature with the birth of Karel Kadlec (1865-1928), a Czech poet and writer known for his works that captured the essence of rural life in Bohemia. His collection of poems, "V chalupě na vsi" (In the Village Cottage), is regarded as a classic of Czech literature.

As the Kadlec surname spread beyond the borders of the Czech Republic, it also gained recognition in other parts of Europe. One such individual was Josef Kadlec (1896-1966), a Czech-born Austrian footballer who played as a defender for various clubs in Austria and Germany during the early 20th century.

Another notable figure was Václav Kadlec (1910-1985), a Czech-born American engineer and inventor who played a significant role in the development of early computing technologies. His contributions to the field of electrical engineering earned him numerous patents and accolades.

While the Kadlec surname may have originated from humble beginnings, it has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on various aspects of history, from music and architecture to literature and sports, spanning several centuries and geographic regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kadlec

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

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

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

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