Machotka last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Machotka

A surname of Czech origin, possibly derived from a place name or an occupational descriptor.

Machotka, 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 Machotka surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Machotka in America

Machotka is the 146011th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Machotka surname appeared 104 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 Machotka.

The history of the last name Machotka

The surname Machotka is of Czech origin, dating back several centuries. It originates from the regions in and around Bohemia, an area which forms a significant part of modern-day Czechia. The surname likely emerged during the Middle Ages, a period when surnames were becoming common in Europe as a means of distinguishing individuals more effectively.

The name Machotka is derived from the root word "machat," an old Czech verb meaning to wave, brandish or flourish. The suffix "-ka" is a diminutive or a patronymic marker, suggesting "little waver" or "son of the one who waves or brandishes." This surname possibly referred to someone who was either a maker or user of weapons, such as a swordsman or a blacksmith. Variants and older spellings of the surname, such as Machotke and Machotko, can also be found in historical records, reflecting regional dialects and phonetic spellings over time.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Machotka appears in medieval land records within the Kingdom of Bohemia. A notable individual bearing the name was Jan Machotka, a landowner documented in the early 1500s. The Machotka family held minor nobility status, reflected in the local land ownership registries of that period.

Historical mentions of the surname also appear in various religious and civic documents. Ondřej Machotka, for instance, was recorded as a witness in a legal dispute in 1623, the record housed within the archives of Old Town Prague. His involvement in the legal affairs of the period signifies a level of prominence and respect within the local community.

Another significant figure is František Machotka, born in 1798 and a noted Czech patriot and scholar. František contributed to the Czech National Revival, a cultural movement in the 19th century aimed at preserving Czech language and traditions under Habsburg rule. His works and enduring legacy mark him as an important cultural figure in Czech history.

The surname also appears in academic circles. Josef Machotka, born in 1886, was a prominent sociologist who contributed significantly to the field of social structures and community studies in early 20th-century Czechoslovakia. His scholarly works remain relevant in sociological studies today.

In the realm of arts, another bearers of the name include Václav Machotka, born in 1920, a distinguished painter whose works are celebrated for their expressive use of color and dramatic landscapes. Václav’s paintings are regarded as valuable contributions to modern Czech art.

Lastly, there is Mikuláš Machotka, born in 1936, who gained recognition as an accomplished author and poet. His literary works, often echoing the themes of existentialism and human experience, have been published internationally and have earned him awards in the literary community.

The surname Machotka embodies a rich cultural and historical narrative, deeply entrenched within the Czech lands, reflecting the various roles and statuses of its bearers over centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Machotka

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

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 Machotka was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 99.04% 103
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 0.00% 0
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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

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

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If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Machotka last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 26, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/machotka-surname-popularity/.

"Machotka last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/machotka-surname-popularity/. Accessed 26 June, 2025

Machotka last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/machotka-surname-popularity/.

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