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

Klenk, 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 Klenk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Klenk in America

Klenk is the 23532nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Klenk surname appeared 1,079 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 Klenk.

We can also compare 2010 data for Klenk 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 Klenk

The surname Klenk is of German origin and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the German word "klenke," which means a latch or a door handle. The name may have originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who worked as a locksmith or made latches and door handles.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Klenk can be found in various German records and documents from the 14th and 15th centuries. One notable mention is in the Rothenburg ob der Tauber archives, where a blacksmith named Hans Klenk is listed as a resident in the year 1412.

In the 16th century, the name Klenk appeared in the records of the city of Nuremberg, where a family of locksmiths and metalworkers bearing the surname lived and worked. Johann Klenk (1510-1572) was a renowned locksmith who crafted intricate and ornate door locks for wealthy patrons and noble families.

The surname Klenk has also been associated with various place names in Germany, such as Klenkendorf and Klenken, which may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the name over time.

One notable individual with the surname Klenk was Friedrich Klenk (1810-1881), a German botanist and explorer who travelled extensively in Asia and made significant contributions to the study of plant life in regions such as the Himalayas and Tibet.

Another notable figure was Emilie Klenk (1853-1944), a German painter and artist known for her vibrant landscapes and still life paintings. She was a member of the Munich Secession movement and her works were exhibited in galleries across Europe.

In the 20th century, Max Klenk (1905-1986) was a prominent German chemist and biochemist who made important discoveries in the field of lipid research and the study of cell membranes.

While the surname Klenk may not be as widely known as some other German surnames, it has a rich history and has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, including metalwork, botany, art, and science.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Klenk

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

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

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

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