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

Laska, 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 Laska surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Laska in America

Laska is the 18849th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Laska surname appeared 1,451 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 Laska.

We can also compare 2010 data for Laska 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 Laska

The surname Laska has its origins in Poland, where it first emerged in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Polish word "laska," which means "staff" or "stick." This suggests that the name may have initially been used as a descriptive nickname for someone who carried a staff or walking stick.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Laska can be found in a 14th-century document from the city of Krakow, where a certain Jan Laska was mentioned as a resident. This indicates that the name was already in use by that time.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name Laska appeared in various regions of Poland, including the towns of Poznan and Gdansk. It was often associated with people of humble origins, such as peasants or artisans.

In the 19th century, a notable figure named Andrzej Laska (1809-1877) gained recognition as a Polish writer and poet. He was born in the village of Zytno and is remembered for his contributions to Polish literature.

Another individual of note was Wladyslaw Laska (1877-1942), a Polish military officer who served in World War I and later became a politician. He was actively involved in the struggle for Polish independence and held various governmental positions.

The name Laska can also be found in certain place names, such as the village of Laskowa in southern Poland. This village's name is believed to be derived from the same root as the surname, further indicating the connection between the name and the concept of a staff or stick.

In the early 20th century, a famous Polish actress named Jadwiga Laska (1890-1964) gained popularity for her performances on stage and in films. She was born in Warsaw and had a successful career spanning several decades.

Another notable figure was Zofia Laska (1915-2005), a Polish journalist and writer who was active during the communist era. She wrote extensively on social and political issues, contributing to various publications.

While the surname Laska is most commonly associated with Poland, it has also been found in other Slavic countries, such as Russia and Ukraine, where it may have been adopted by individuals with Polish ancestry or through migration.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Laska

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

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

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

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