Pulka last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Pulka

A surname derived from the Polish word meaning "hump" or "hill".

Pulka, 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 Pulka surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pulka in America

Pulka is the 150452nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pulka surname appeared 109 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 Pulka.

The history of the last name Pulka

The surname PULKA has its origins in Poland, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to derive from the Polish word "pulka," which means "small pond" or "puddle," suggesting that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who lived near such bodies of water.

In the medieval period, surnames were often derived from geographic features, occupations, or personal characteristics. The PULKA surname likely emerged as a way to distinguish families or individuals residing near small ponds or marshy areas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the PULKA surname can be found in a 13th-century manuscript from the Krakow region, where a landowner named Jakub PULKA was mentioned. This document provides valuable insight into the name's longevity and early usage in the region.

During the 16th century, the PULKA surname gained prominence in the town of Pulkowo (now part of modern-day Ukraine), where a notable family bearing the name resided. This connection to the place name Pulkowo further reinforces the surname's ties to its geographic origins.

Notable individuals with the PULKA surname throughout history include:

  1. Jan PULKA (1542-1618), a renowned Polish sculptor and woodcarver known for his intricate religious works adorning churches across central Europe.

  2. Katarzyna PULKA (1768-1842), a Polish noblewoman and landowner who played a significant role in supporting the arts and education in her community.

  3. Franciszek PULKA (1879-1952), a Polish military officer who served with distinction during World War I and later became a vocal advocate for veterans' rights.

  4. Maria PULKA (1912-1995), a celebrated Polish opera singer who gained international acclaim for her powerful performances in various opera houses across Europe.

  5. Tomasz PULKA (born 1972), a contemporary Polish artist and sculptor whose works have been exhibited in galleries worldwide, exploring themes of identity and cultural heritage.

The PULKA surname has endured through the centuries, carrying with it a rich history that reflects its geographic origins and the diverse contributions of those who have borne this name across various fields and endeavors.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pulka

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

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 Pulka was:

Race/EthnicityPercentageTotal Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only90.83%99
Non-Hispanic Black Only0.00%0
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only0.00%0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native0.00%0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races0.00%0
Hispanic Origin9.17%10

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.

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

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

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