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

Ork, 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 Ork surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ork in America

Ork is the 101247th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ork surname appeared 178 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 Ork.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ork 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 Ork

The surname "Ork" has its origins in the German language, with roots traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have emerged in the region of Bavaria, a state located in the southeast of modern-day Germany, sometime around the 13th or 14th century.

The name "Ork" is thought to be a variation or derivation of the German word "Orke," which was an old term used to refer to a pitcher or jug. This connection suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname, given to individuals who were involved in the production or trade of such vessels.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "Ork" can be found in the municipal archives of the city of Augsburg, dating back to the year 1427. The record mentions a certain Hans Ork, a resident of the city at that time.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the surname "Ork" was Johann Ork, a German theologian and reformer who lived from 1506 to 1565. He was a prominent figure in the Protestant Reformation and played a significant role in the spread of Lutheran teachings in the region.

Another individual of note was Wilhelm Ork, a German composer and musician born in 1712. He was known for his contributions to the development of church music and composed several pieces for organ and choir.

The name "Ork" also appears in historical records from the neighboring regions of Austria and Switzerland, indicating that the name may have spread beyond its initial origins in Bavaria.

In the 19th century, a prominent figure with the surname "Ork" was Otto Ork, a German industrialist and entrepreneur who lived from 1825 to 1898. He founded a successful manufacturing company that produced various household goods and played a significant role in the economic development of his region.

Another individual of note was Elise Ork, a German writer and feminist activist who lived from 1853 to 1928. She was an advocate for women's rights and published several works that explored gender equality and social issues of her time.

While the surname "Ork" may not be as common today as it once was, it remains a part of the rich tapestry of German family names, with its roots deeply intertwined with the cultural and historical heritage of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ork

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

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

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

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