Macek
Of Slavic origin, an occupational surname referring to one who grew or dealt with poppies.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,851 Americans carry the last name Macek. That puts it at #17,651 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.54 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 185,173 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Macek 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
1.9K
1 in 185,173
Census rank
#17,651
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.6K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,592 bearers of the surname Macek in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.54 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 17651st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Macek, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.1%) and Two or More Races (1.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Macek
The surname MACEK is of Czech origin, and it first emerged in the 14th century in the region of Bohemia, which is now part of the modern-day Czech Republic. The name is derived from the Slavic word "macek," which means "little warrior" or "little fighter." This suggests that the name may have been originally given as a nickname to someone who was known for their brave or courageous nature.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname MACEK can be found in the Liber Vetustissimus Antiquae Civitatis Pragensis, a 14th-century manuscript that contains records of the city of Prague. This document mentions a certain "Petrus Macek," who was a prominent citizen of Prague during that time period.
In the 15th century, the surname MACEK can be found in various historical records from the region of Moravia, which was another part of the Kingdom of Bohemia. For example, a man named Jan MACEK is mentioned in a legal document from the town of Olomouc, dated 1473.
As the name spread throughout Central Europe, it also took on slightly different spellings in different regions. For instance, in some areas of modern-day Slovakia, the surname was spelled "Maczek," while in parts of Poland, it was sometimes written as "Maciek."
One notable individual with the surname MACEK was Josef MACEK (1922-2015), a Czech historian and academic who specialized in the history of the Czech lands during the Middle Ages. He authored numerous books and scholarly works on topics such as the Hussite Wars and the reign of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor.
Another prominent figure was Alois MACEK (1838-1896), a Czech politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Bohemian Diet and the Imperial Council of Austria. He was a prominent advocate for Czech national rights and played a role in the Czech National Revival movement of the 19th century.
In the world of literature, the name MACEK is associated with the Czech writer and poet Jarmila MACEKOVA (1898-1987), who was known for her works depicting rural life in Moravia. Her most famous novel, "Sirotci pismo" (The Orphan's Letter), was published in 1932.
Additionally, the surname MACEK has been linked to several notable athletes, including the Czech ice hockey player Vaclav MACEK (1965-2012), who played in the National Hockey League for teams such as the Detroit Red Wings and the New York Rangers.
Finally, the name MACEK has also been associated with various place names in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, such as the village of Macekov in the Nitra Region of western Slovakia.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Macek
Among Census respondents with the surname Macek, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.1%) and Two or More Races (1.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Macek 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 Macek surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.4%
- Hispanic or Latino1.1%
- Two or more races1.0%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Macek 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 | #17,651 | #17,651 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,592 | 1,592 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.54 | 0.54 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Macek bearers went from 1,592 to 1,592 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #17,651 to #17,651.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Macek
FAQ
Macek surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Macek?
The surname Macek holds position #17,651 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,851 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.54 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Macek surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Macek, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.1%) and Two or More Races (1.0%). 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.