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

Rask, 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 Rask surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rask in America

Rask is the 21842nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rask surname appeared 1,190 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 Rask.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rask 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 Rask

The surname RASK is of Danish origin, originating in the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Old Danish word "rask," meaning "quick" or "lively." It was likely initially used as a descriptive nickname for someone with a swift or energetic demeanor.

In the early records, the name appears with various spellings, such as Rasch, Rask, and Raske, reflecting regional dialect variations. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Danish Census Records of 1645, where a Peder Rask is listed as a resident of Copenhagen.

The name is also found in the Icelandic Sagas, which date back to the 13th and 14th centuries. These ancient Norse literary works mention individuals with the surname Rask, suggesting that the name may have been in use among Scandinavian communities even earlier.

In the 17th century, a notable figure bearing the name was Rasmus Rask (1787-1832), a Danish philologist and linguist. He is renowned for his groundbreaking work in comparative linguistics, particularly his contributions to the study of Old Norse and Sanskrit.

Another prominent individual with the surname Rask was Hans Rask (1828-1880), a Danish painter known for his landscapes and seascapes. His works are highly regarded and can be found in various art museums across Denmark.

During the 19th century, the name gained recognition through the work of Niels Christian Rask (1834-1907), a Danish botanist and horticulturist. He made significant contributions to the study of plant taxonomy and was instrumental in establishing the Botanical Garden of Copenhagen.

In the literary realm, the name is associated with Jørgen Rask (1902-1978), a Danish author and poet. His works, which often explored themes of nature and human existence, earned him critical acclaim and several literary awards.

Another notable figure is Kirsten Rask (1908-1993), a Danish actress and singer who had a successful career in both theater and film. She appeared in numerous productions and is remembered for her versatile performances and captivating stage presence.

While the surname RASK is predominantly Danish, it has also been found in other Scandinavian countries and regions with historical ties to Denmark, such as parts of Sweden and Norway. The name continues to be carried by individuals of Danish descent worldwide, serving as a reminder of their cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rask

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

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

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

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