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

Molendyk, 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 Molendyk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Molendyk in America

Molendyk is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Molendyk surname appeared 106 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 Molendyk.

The history of the last name Molendyk

The surname MOLENDYK has its origins in the Netherlands, dating back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Dutch words "molen" meaning "mill" and "dijk" meaning "dike" or "embankment." This suggests that the name likely originated from a location or an occupation related to a mill situated near a dike or embankment.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the MOLENDYK surname can be found in the Dutch province of Friesland, where it is believed to have first emerged. In the late 16th century, there are records of a family named Molendyk residing in the town of Leeuwarden, which was known for its numerous windmills and intricate system of dikes and canals.

Historical records from the 17th century mention a notable figure named Joannes MOLENDYK (1621-1688), a respected merchant and alderman in the city of Amsterdam. His descendants continued to play a prominent role in the city's trade and civic affairs for several generations.

In the 18th century, the MOLENDYK name can be found in various regions of the Netherlands, including the provinces of Groningen and Overijssel. One notable individual from this period was Pieter MOLENDYK (1728-1801), a renowned clockmaker from the town of Zwolle, whose intricate timepieces were highly sought after by the Dutch nobility.

As the Dutch began to colonize and establish settlements in other parts of the world, the MOLENDYK surname also spread to these new territories. In the late 18th century, a family by the name of MOLENDYK settled in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), where they became successful planters and traders.

Another notable figure bearing the MOLENDYK surname was Willem MOLENDYK (1856-1924), a Dutch explorer and naturalist who led several expeditions to the interior of Borneo in the late 19th century. His detailed accounts and collections of plant and animal specimens made significant contributions to the study of the island's biodiversity.

Throughout its history, the MOLENDYK surname has been associated with various occupations and professions, ranging from millers and merchants to clockmakers and naturalists. While the exact origins of the name may be shrouded in the mists of time, its connection to the Dutch landscape and the country's rich industrial and maritime heritage is evident.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Molendyk

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

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

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

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