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

Mel'nar, 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 Mel'nar surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Mel'nar in America

Mel'nar is the 137816th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mel'nar surname appeared 112 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 Mel'nar.

The history of the last name Mel'nar

The surname Melnar has its origins in Eastern Europe, particularly in regions that are today known as parts of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The name likely emerged in the late medieval period, around the 14th or 15th centuries. It is found predominantly in areas where Slavic languages are spoken, pointing to its Slavic etymological roots.

The name Melnar appears to derive from the old Slavic root "mel," which means to grind, and it is associated with the occupation of a miller. This occupational surname would have been given to individuals who worked in or owned a mill. The similar spelling variations, such as Melnář or Melník, support this occupational origin, with the suffixes signifying a person involved in grinding grain.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name comes from a 15th-century manuscript from the Bohemian region. The document lists a certain Jan Melnar, a miller who resided near the town of Plzeň around the year 1483. Jan Melnar made a significant impact in his community, providing essential milling services to the local farmers.

A notable bearer of this name was Karel Melnar, a prominent figure during the early 17th century. Born in 1602 and dying in 1667, he was known for his work as a master miller in the Moravian region, near present-day Brno. Karel Melnar's mill became a central hub for the community, and he is mentioned in several local records for his contributions to the town's economic stability.

Anna Melnarová, born in 1710 and died in 1775, was another significant historical figure with this surname. She was known for her unique method of grain processing, which improved efficiency and the quality of flour produced. Her innovations were documented in farming and milling journals of that period.

In the early 19th century, František Melnar (1765-1824) gained prominence as a landowner and mill operator in the region of Slovakia. His estate included one of the largest mills along the Váh River, contributing significantly to the agricultural economy of the area.

Ján Melnar, born in 1820 and passing in 1889, was a well-respected philologist who traced the evolution of Slavic names and their meanings. His extensive research included a focus on surnames derived from occupations, including his own, providing historical insights into the lives of early millers.

The surname Melnar, although not extremely common, has a rich history tied deeply to the essential occupation of milling in Eastern European agricultural societies. References to the name in older records and manuscripts highlight its importance and the notable individuals who bore it throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mel'nar

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Mel'nar.

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 Mel'nar 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 Mel'nar was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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