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

Kagay, 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 Kagay surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kagay in America

Kagay is the 109258th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kagay surname appeared 162 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 Kagay.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kagay 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 Kagay

The surname KAGAY is believed to have originated in Hungary, with roots tracing back to the 11th century. It is thought to be derived from the Hungarian word "kagy," which means "stork" or "heron." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive surname given to someone who lived near a place where these birds were commonly found or perhaps someone who had a physical resemblance to these long-legged birds.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the KAGAY surname can be found in a Hungarian census record from the year 1275, where a man named Petrus Kagay is listed as a landowner in the village of Somogy. This village, located in southwestern Hungary, was known for its wetlands and abundance of wading birds, lending credence to the theory of the name's avian origins.

In the 14th century, a noble family by the name of KAGAY is mentioned in several historical documents related to the Hungarian nobility. One notable member of this family was Stephanus KAGAY, who served as a military commander and diplomat during the reign of King Louis I of Hungary (1326-1382). Stephanus KAGAY is recorded as leading a contingent of Hungarian troops in a battle against the Ottoman Turks in 1366.

The KAGAY name also appears in various Hungarian church records from the 15th and 16th centuries, indicating its presence among both noble and commoner families during this period. One such record from 1492 mentions a Georgius KAGAY, a prominent member of the clergy in the city of Eger.

As the KAGAY family spread throughout Hungary and beyond, variations in spelling began to emerge. Some examples include Kagay, Kagaÿ, Kágai, and Kágay. These spelling variations likely arose due to regional dialects and differences in pronunciation.

In the 18th century, a man named Jacobus KAGAY (1712-1784) gained recognition as a skilled craftsman and woodcarver in the city of Pécs. His intricate woodcarvings adorned many churches and noble residences throughout the region, and his work is still celebrated as a significant contribution to Hungarian folk art.

Another notable figure bearing the KAGAY surname was Josephus KAGAY (1822-1898), a Hungarian politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Hungarian Parliament in the latter half of the 19th century. He was a vocal advocate for land reform and workers' rights during his political career.

While the KAGAY surname has its roots firmly planted in Hungary, it has since spread to other parts of the world through immigration and migration. However, the earliest recorded instances and historical references to this name can be traced back to its Hungarian origins, reflecting the rich cultural and linguistic heritage of this Central European region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kagay

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

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

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

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