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

Musk, 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 Musk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Musk in America

Musk is the 73005th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Musk surname appeared 266 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 Musk.

We can also compare 2010 data for Musk 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 Musk

The surname Musk is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the 15th century. It is believed to have originated in the East Midlands region of England, particularly in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. The name is derived from the Old English word "musc," which means "musky" or "fragrant," referring to the strong scent of musk deer.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Musk surname can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Nottinghamshire from 1524, where a Thomas Musk is listed. The name also appeared in the parish records of Derbyshire in the late 16th century, with entries for a William Musk in 1592 and a John Musk in 1598.

In the 17th century, the surname Musk was prevalent in the Derbyshire village of Bakewell, where several families with the name resided. One notable individual from this time was John Musk (1630-1708), a wealthy landowner and prominent figure in the local community.

As the centuries progressed, the Musk name spread across England, with some families settling in other regions. In the 18th century, a branch of the Musk family established themselves in Yorkshire, where Richard Musk (1711-1783) became a respected merchant and trader.

The 19th century saw the Musk name gain further recognition with the birth of Sir William Musk (1828-1912), a renowned English engineer and inventor. He was responsible for several groundbreaking innovations in the field of steam engines and played a pivotal role in the development of early locomotives.

Other notable individuals bearing the Musk surname include:

1. John Musk (1876-1943), a British botanist and pioneering horticulturist known for his work on plant breeding and cultivating new species of flowers.
2. Margaret Musk (1892-1965), a renowned English artist and sculptor, celebrated for her intricate sculptures and public monuments.
3. William Musk (1918-2001), a highly decorated British Army officer who served with distinction in World War II and later became a respected military historian.
4. George Musk (1932-2011), a renowned English composer and conductor, best known for his orchestral and chamber works, as well as his contributions to film scores.
5. Thomas Musk (1942-2017), a British architect and urban planner, recognized for his innovative designs and sustainable city planning initiatives.

While the Musk surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, carried by individuals and families who emigrated from their native country. However, the earliest recorded instances and the origin of this name can be traced back to the English counties of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, where it first emerged as a distinctive surname in the late medieval period.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Musk

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

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

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

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