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

Kanofsky, 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 Kanofsky surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kanofsky in America

Kanofsky is the 133863rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kanofsky surname appeared 126 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 Kanofsky.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kanofsky 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 Kanofsky

The surname Kanofsky is of Eastern European Jewish origin, specifically from the areas that are now parts of modern-day Poland, Belarus, and Ukraine. It is derived from the Yiddish word "kanof," which means "wing" or "fin," potentially referring to a physical characteristic or an occupation related to birds or fish.

The earliest known record of the Kanofsky name can be traced back to the late 18th century in the town of Brest, which was then part of the Russian Empire and is now located in Belarus. The name appeared in various documents and records from that region, with slight variations in spelling, such as Kanofsky, Kanovskiy, and Kanowsky.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Kanofsky name is found in the Revision Lists, which were official census records compiled by the Russian authorities in the 19th century. These lists documented Jewish families and their places of residence within the Pale of Settlement, a region designated by the Russian Empire for Jewish residency.

In the early 20th century, a notable figure bearing the Kanofsky name was Yitzchok Kanofsky (1890-1945), a renowned Talmudic scholar and rabbi who served as the head of the rabbinical court in Lodz, Poland. He was widely respected for his extensive knowledge of Jewish law and his dedication to preserving Jewish traditions.

Another individual of historical significance was Leib Kanofsky (1876-1942), a Zionist leader and activist who played a crucial role in the establishment of the Jewish National Fund. Born in Minsk, he was instrumental in promoting the acquisition of land in Palestine for Jewish settlement and advocating for the creation of a Jewish homeland.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Kanofsky families immigrated to various parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and South Africa, seeking better opportunities and escaping persecution. One notable figure from this period was Hyman Kanofsky (1878-1956), a successful businessman and philanthropist who settled in New York City and contributed significantly to various Jewish organizations and causes.

In the literary realm, the name Kanofsky is associated with the American author and playwright Mera Kanofsky (1923-2013), known for her works exploring Jewish culture and identity. Her plays and novels shed light on the experiences of Jewish immigrants in the United States and the challenges they faced in adapting to a new society.

The Kanofsky surname has endured through generations, carrying with it a rich history and cultural significance. While its origins may be rooted in Eastern Europe, the name has since spread across continents, reflecting the resilience and perseverance of the families who bore it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kanofsky

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

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

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

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