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

Reck, 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 Reck surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Reck in America

Reck is the 10215th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Reck surname appeared 3,155 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Reck.

We can also compare 2010 data for Reck 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 Reck

The surname RECK is believed to have originated in Germany, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old High German word "reck," meaning "strong" or "brave." This suggests that the name may have initially been used as a nickname or descriptor for someone with a robust or courageous demeanor.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the RECK surname can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a collection of historical documents from Saxony, Germany. In a document dated 1292, a certain "Heinricus dictus Reck" is mentioned, indicating the use of the surname at that time.

The RECK name also appears in various medieval records and manuscripts from different regions of Germany. For example, in the 14th century, a "Conrad Recke" is documented in the records of the city of Cologne. Additionally, the name is found in various place names across Germany, such as Reckenfeld and Recklinghausen, further suggesting its longstanding presence in the region.

Notable individuals with the RECK surname throughout history include Johann Reck (1551-1636), a German theologian and Protestant reformer who played a significant role in the religious conflicts of the 16th century. Another prominent figure was Ernst von Reck (1805-1848), a Prussian explorer and naturalist who led expeditions to the Australian outback and documented the flora and fauna of the region.

In the realm of literature, Hans Reck (1877-1945) was a German author and poet known for his works depicting rural life in Bavaria. His contemporary, Richard Reck (1887-1936), was a German film director and screenwriter who contributed to the early years of German cinema.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the RECK surname in the English-speaking world can be traced back to Johann Jacob Reck, a German immigrant who settled in Pennsylvania in the late 18th century. His descendants went on to establish themselves in various parts of the United States, contributing to the spread and diversification of the RECK name in the country.

While the RECK surname is primarily associated with German origins, it has also been adopted and adapted in various other cultures and regions over the centuries, further enriching its historical and linguistic tapestry.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Reck

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

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

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

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