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

Kanthak, 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 Kanthak surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kanthak in America

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

The Kanthak 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 Kanthak.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kanthak 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 Kanthak

The surname Kanthak is of German origin, tracing its roots back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated in the region of Saxony, particularly in the towns and villages surrounding Dresden.

One of the earliest documented references to the name Kanthak can be found in the parish records of St. Martin's Church in Dresden, dated 1583. This record mentions a Johannes Kanthak, who was a local farmer and landowner.

The name Kanthak is thought to derive from the Old German word "kanne," which means "jug" or "pitcher." It is likely that the surname was initially given as an occupational name to someone who worked as a potter or ceramic maker, crafting jugs and pitchers for daily use.

In the 17th century, the Kanthak family expanded their presence across Saxony, with several members recorded in the town of Meissen. Notable among them was Jakob Kanthak (1612-1679), a respected goldsmith whose intricate metalwork was sought after by nobility and wealthy merchants.

As the centuries progressed, the Kanthak surname spread further across Germany and into neighboring regions. In the late 18th century, a Johann Kanthak (1752-1817) was a prominent scholar and professor of philosophy at the University of Jena, whose writings on ethics and moral philosophy were widely influential.

Another notable figure bearing the Kanthak name was Karl Kanthak (1834-1901), a renowned architect from Berlin. He designed several iconic buildings in the city, including the Reichstag building and the Berlin Cathedral, which stand as testament to his exceptional skill and vision.

In the 20th century, one of the most famous individuals with the Kanthak surname was Gerhard Kanthak (1917-1992), a German author and playwright. His works, often exploring themes of social justice and political activism, were highly acclaimed and earned him numerous literary awards.

Throughout its history, the Kanthak surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artisans, scholars, architects, and writers. While its origins can be traced back to the potters and ceramic makers of 16th century Saxony, the name has left an indelible mark across Germany and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kanthak

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

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

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

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