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

Nalk, 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 Nalk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nalk in America

Nalk is the 156044th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nalk surname appeared 104 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 Nalk.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nalk 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 Nalk

The surname Nalk is thought to have originated in Germany during the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old Germanic word "nal," which means "narrow" or "constricted." This suggests that the name may have been initially used to describe someone who lived in a narrow valley or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nalk can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a collection of medieval charters and documents from the region of Saxony, dating back to the 12th century. In this document, a person named "Henricus de Nalke" is mentioned, indicating the possible existence of a place called Nalke or Nalk at that time.

During the 13th century, the Nalk surname appears in various records across central and northern Germany. Notably, a merchant named Johann Nalk is documented in the city of Lübeck in 1256, suggesting that the name had spread to urban areas by that time.

In the 14th century, a nobleman named Friedrich von Nalk was recorded as owning lands in the region of Thuringia. This implies that the Nalk family had gained prominence and status during this period.

In the 15th century, a renowned theologian and philosopher named Johannes Nalk (1420-1492) from the University of Erfurt made significant contributions to the intellectual discourse of his time. His works on logic and metaphysics were widely studied and influential.

Another notable figure bearing the Nalk surname was Hans Nalk (1520-1587), a master woodcarver from the town of Nuremberg. His intricate carvings and sculptures adorned many churches and buildings in the region, showcasing his exceptional craftsmanship.

During the 16th century, the Nalk family expanded their presence across various regions of Germany. Records show a farmer named Peter Nalk in the village of Dornstetten in the Black Forest in 1572, suggesting the spread of the name to rural areas as well.

In the 17th century, a military leader named Friedrich Nalk (1625-1697) gained recognition for his service in the Thirty Years' War. He was awarded lands and titles for his valor and leadership on the battlefield.

As the centuries progressed, the Nalk surname continued to be documented in various parts of Germany, with individuals from different walks of life bearing this name. While the exact origin and meaning of the name may have evolved over time, it remains a part of the rich tapestry of German surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nalk

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

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

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

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