Rafkin
A variant spelling of the Russian surname Rafkin, derived from the personal name Rafael.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Rafkin. That puts it at #144,141 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Rafkin surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#144,141
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
115
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 115 bearers of the surname Rafkin in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 144141st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Rafkin, the largest self-reported group is White at 98.3%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Rafkin
The surname Rafkin originated in the medieval era in the region of Central Europe, likely in the area that is now modern-day Poland or Belarus. It is believed to have derived from the Old Slavic word "raf," meaning "raven" or "crow," indicating that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname given to someone who had dark hair or a swarthy complexion reminiscent of those birds.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rafkin can be found in a 14th-century manuscript from the town of Krakow, where a certain Jakub Rafkin is mentioned as a merchant and landowner. This suggests that the surname had already established itself among the rising urban class of the time.
In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the Rafkin surname was Michal Rafkin, a Polish scholar and theologian who taught at the University of Krakow and wrote extensively on the subject of Catholic doctrine. His works were widely circulated throughout Europe during the Reformation period.
The Rafkin name also appears in records from the 17th century, such as the baptismal register of the village of Poznan, where a Jadwiga Rafkin is listed as the daughter of a local blacksmith. This indicates that the surname had spread beyond its initial urban origins and had become established among the rural population as well.
During the 18th century, a certain Andrzej Rafkin gained recognition as a skilled architect and was responsible for the design and construction of several churches and public buildings in the city of Warsaw. His legacy can still be seen in the ornate facades and intricate stonework that adorn these structures.
In the 19th century, the Rafkin name found its way to the literary world through the works of Karolina Rafkin, a Polish novelist and poet whose romantic tales and lyrical verses captured the spirit of the era. Her book "Echoes of the Heart" was particularly well-received and went through multiple printings.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the Rafkin surname throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence across various walks of life and geographical regions over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Rafkin
Among Census respondents with the surname Rafkin, the largest self-reported group is White at 98.3%.
The bar chart below shows how Rafkin bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Rafkin surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White98.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Rafkin surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #144,141 | #144,141 | 0.0% |
| Count | 115 | 115 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Rafkin bearers went from 115 to 115 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #144,141 to #144,141.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Rafkin
FAQ
Rafkin surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Rafkin?
The surname Rafkin holds position #144,141 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Rafkin surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Rafkin, the largest self-reported group is White at 98.3%. These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.