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

Kostival, 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 Kostival surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Kostival in America

Kostival is the 135837th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kostival surname appeared 114 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Kostival.

The history of the last name Kostival

The surname Kostival is believed to have originated from Central Europe, specifically within the regions of what is now the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The earliest usages of the surname can be traced back to the medieval period, possibly around the 14th to 15th centuries. The name Kostival is derived from a Slavic word, which is associated with the common comfrey plant, known in Czech as "kostival lékařský." The term "kostival" was used in local herbal medicine, which points to an occupational origin related to herbalism or medicine.

Records show that the surname Kostival appeared in various historical documents dating back to the 16th century. For instance, a manuscript from 1597 references a Jan Kostival from a small village near Prague, indicating that the name was already well-established by the late Renaissance period. Another early occurrence of the surname is found in land ownership records from the Moravian region dated 1623, where a Martin Kostival is listed as a landowner.

In the 17th century, Josef Kostival, born in 1610 and died in 1675, was a notable figure who served as a local magistrate in the town of Brno. Josef's role in the community involved administrative duties and oversight of local laws, showcasing that individuals with the Kostival surname were engaged in significant civic responsibilities.

The surname's distribution expanded throughout the Habsburg Empire as families migrated for economic opportunities. By the 18th century, the Kostival family name appeared in military records, with references to a Lieutenant Pavel Kostival, who served in the Austrian Imperial Army during the War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748).

In religious texts from the early 19th century, Father Antonín Kostival (1785-1849) is noted for his contributions to the local parish in Olomouc. Father Antonín was renowned for his scholarly works and dedication to the church, emphasizing the prominence of the Kostival name in spiritual and academic circles.

By the mid-19th century, the surname had seen an increase in both recognition and influence. Ludmila Kostivalová, born in 1832, became one of the first women in her region to publish a collection of folk stories and herbal remedies. Her works were essential in preserving the cultural heritage and traditional medicinal practices of her community.

The Kostival surname has a rich history reflecting the cultural, occupational, and social aspects of Central European life. Its connections to both medicinal practices and civic roles underscore a legacy of community involvement and contribution.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kostival

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Kostival 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.

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

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

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