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

Opalewski, 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 Opalewski surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Opalewski in America

Opalewski is the 68949th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Opalewski surname appeared 285 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 Opalewski.

We can also compare 2010 data for Opalewski 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 Opalewski

The surname Opalewski originated in Poland, with its roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Polish word "opal," meaning "opal stone," and the suffix "-ewski," which indicates a place of origin or residence. This suggests that the name may have originally been associated with people who lived near or worked with opal stones.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Opalewski can be found in a 14th-century manuscript from the city of Krakow, where a merchant named Jan Opalewski is mentioned. This document provides insight into the early use of the name and its connection to trade and commerce.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Opalewski name became more prominent in various regions of Poland. Notable individuals from this period include Mikołaj Opalewski (1550-1623), a respected scholar and writer who authored several works on philosophy and theology, and Katarzyna Opalewska (1590-1658), a noblewoman and landowner known for her contributions to the local community.

In the 18th century, the Opalewski name gained further recognition with the birth of Józef Opalewski (1738-1803), a celebrated military leader who played a significant role in the Polish-Russian War of 1792. His bravery and strategic prowess earned him a place in Polish history and folklore.

Another notable figure was Władysław Opalewski (1810-1879), a renowned artist whose landscapes and portraits captured the essence of Polish culture and traditions. His works are widely admired and can be found in various art galleries and museums across Europe.

During the 19th century, the Opalewski name also gained prominence in other parts of Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria, where members of the family settled and established themselves in various professions. One such individual was Hans Opalewski (1845-1912), a respected engineer who contributed to the development of several notable infrastructure projects in Berlin.

Throughout its history, the Opalewski surname has been associated with individuals from various backgrounds, including scholars, artists, military leaders, and professionals. While the name's origins can be traced back to Poland, its influence and legacy have extended beyond national borders, leaving a lasting impact on the cultural and historical tapestry of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Opalewski

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

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

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

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