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

Opoka, 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 Opoka surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Opoka in America

Opoka is the 101737th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Opoka surname appeared 177 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 Opoka.

We can also compare 2010 data for Opoka 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 Opoka

The surname Opoka is of Polish origin, with roots dating back to the medieval era. It is believed to have originated from the Old Polish word 'opoka', which translates to 'rock' or 'cliff'. This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals who lived near rocky landscapes or cliffs.

One of the earliest known references to the Opoka surname can be found in the Teutonic Knights' records from the 13th century. During this time, the Teutonic Order controlled parts of modern-day Poland, and the name Opoka appeared in various documents related to land ownership and taxation.

In the 15th century, a notable figure named Jan Opoka (c. 1420-1490) was a prominent Polish scholar and rector of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. He was highly respected for his contributions to the field of theology and philosophy during the Renaissance period.

Another individual of historical significance was Franciszek Opoka (1540-1612), a Polish nobleman and military commander who fought in the Polish-Muscovite War of 1609-1618. He is remembered for his bravery and leadership during the siege of Smolensk, where he played a crucial role in defending the city.

In the 17th century, the Opoka surname was also associated with the village of Opoka in the Masovian Voivodeship of central Poland. This suggests that some individuals bearing the name may have originated from or resided in this particular area.

One of the most notable figures with the Opoka surname was Józef Opoka (1780-1843), a Polish general who served under Napoleon Bonaparte during the Napoleonic Wars. He participated in several major battles, including the Battle of Austerlitz and the Battle of Borodino, and was awarded the prestigious Virtuti Militari, Poland's highest military decoration.

During the 19th century, the Opoka surname gained further recognition with the birth of Franciszek Opoka (1847-1927), a Polish painter and illustrator known for his portraiture and religious artwork. His works can be found in numerous churches and galleries throughout Poland.

These examples highlight the rich history and diverse backgrounds associated with the Opoka surname, spanning various fields such as academia, military, and the arts. While the name's origins can be traced back to medieval times, it has endured and continues to be a part of Poland's cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Opoka

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

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

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

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