Kapitan
A surname derived from the word "captain" in various languages, indicating a military or maritime occupation.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 446 Americans carry the last name Kapitan. That puts it at #53,204 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.13 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 768,507 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Kapitan surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
446
1 in 768,507
Census rank
#53,204
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
389
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 389 bearers of the surname Kapitan in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.13 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 53204th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Kapitan, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.4%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Kapitan
The surname Kapitan originated in Poland and the Czech Republic during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Slavic word "kapitan," meaning "captain" or "leader." This name was likely first given as a descriptive nickname to someone who held a position of authority, perhaps a military commander or the leader of a group.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Kapitan surname can be found in Polish historical records from the 14th century. It appears in a manuscript detailing the exploits of a nobleman named Jakub Kapitan, who led a contingent of soldiers during the Polish-Lithuanian wars against the Teutonic Knights.
In the late 15th century, a Czech knight named Jan Kapitan is mentioned in chronicles as a prominent figure in the Hussite Wars, fighting alongside the forces of Jan Žižka against the Holy Roman Empire. His bravery and leadership on the battlefield likely earned him the surname Kapitan.
During the 16th century, the Kapitan name began to spread throughout Eastern Europe, with several notable individuals bearing the surname. One such person was Jerzy Kapitan, a Polish diplomat and scholar who served as an envoy to the Ottoman Empire in the mid-1500s.
In the 17th century, a Russian explorer named Semyon Kapitan is recorded as having led expeditions into Siberia, mapping and exploring vast stretches of uncharted territory. His exploits earned him renown and his surname became associated with adventurous spirit and leadership.
Another notable bearer of the Kapitan surname was Józef Kapitan, a Polish military officer who fought against the Swedish forces during the Swedish Deluge in the mid-17th century. His valiant defense of the city of Poznan earned him recognition and his surname became a symbol of patriotism and bravery.
As the centuries passed, the Kapitan surname continued to be associated with positions of authority and leadership, both in military and civilian contexts. While it may have originated as a descriptive nickname, it evolved into a proud family name carried by generations of distinguished individuals throughout Eastern Europe.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Kapitan
Among Census respondents with the surname Kapitan, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.4%.
The bar chart below shows how Kapitan bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Kapitan surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White97.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Kapitan surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #53,204 | #53,204 | 0.0% |
| Count | 389 | 389 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.13 | 0.13 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Kapitan bearers went from 389 to 389 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #53,204 to #53,204.
FAQ
Kapitan surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Kapitan?
The surname Kapitan holds position #53,204 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 446 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.13 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Kapitan surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Kapitan, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.4%. These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.