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

Riak, 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 Riak surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Riak in America

Riak is the 151532nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Riak surname appeared 108 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 Riak.

The history of the last name Riak

The surname RIAK originates from Slovakia, deriving its roots from the Slovak word "riak" which means "stream" or "brook." This connection suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals residing near or in close proximity to a flowing water body. The earliest known records of the surname can be traced back to the 16th century in the regions of central and eastern Slovakia.

During the Middle Ages, surnames were primarily adopted by the nobility and affluent members of society. However, by the 15th and 16th centuries, the practice had become more widespread among the general populace. It is plausible that the RIAK surname emerged as a descriptive identifier, reflecting the geographical location or occupation of the family bearing this name.

One of the earliest documented instances of the RIAK surname appears in the village of Hrhov, located in the Prešov Region of eastern Slovakia, where a family of millers owned a mill situated along a stream. The mill's proximity to the flowing water body may have contributed to the adoption of the surname RIAK by this particular family.

In the 18th century, the RIAK surname is mentioned in the records of the village of Belá nad Cirochou, also in the Prešov Region. A notable figure from this era was Ján RIAK (1725-1798), a farmer and landowner who played a significant role in the local community.

As the centuries progressed, the RIAK surname spread across various regions of Slovakia, with families bearing this name contributing to various aspects of society. One notable individual was Michal RIAK (1842-1912), a prominent educator and advocate for Slovak language and culture during the late 19th century.

Another notable figure was Andrej RIAK (1876-1945), a Slovak politician and member of the Slovak National Council, who played a crucial role in the establishment of the independent Slovak Republic in 1939.

Furthermore, the RIAK surname can be found in the historical records of the village of Liptovská Teplička in the Žilina Region, where a family of blacksmiths and metalworkers bearing this name resided in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

While the RIAK surname may not be among the most prevalent in Slovakia, it has a rich history and legacy, deeply rooted in the country's cultural and geographical landscape.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Riak

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

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 Riak 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.

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

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

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