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

Ruk, 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 Ruk surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Ruk in America

Ruk is the 147095th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ruk surname appeared 103 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ruk.

The history of the last name Ruk

The surname Ruk is believed to have its origins in Eastern Europe, specifically within the regions that now constitute Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. The name is likely from the early medieval period, possibly around the 10th to 12th centuries, when surnames began evolving from descriptive terms, trades, and geographical locations.

Ruk may be derived from the Middle High German term "rüegs" or "rucher," meaning someone who makes loud noises or calls, possibly indicating a person known for their loud speaking voice or a town crier. Another theory suggests it could come from a Slavic root word "ruk," which means hand, perhaps indicating a person known for their manual labor or craftsmanship.

The name appeared in historical records from the 13th century in various forms. One early instance is found in a 1241 document from the Duchy of Silesia, where a Hermann Ruk is mentioned as a landowner. During the 14th century, a variations such as "Rucke" and "Ruczk" were recorded in municipal archives of Krakow and Prague, suggesting the name had already started to spread across Central Europe.

A significant historical figure carrying this surname is Friedrich Ruk, born in 1478 and died in 1539, who was a notable merchant and prominent citizen in the Hanseatic League city of Lübeck. Ruk's wealth and social standing allowed him significant influence in regional trade policies of the time.

In the 17th century, a prominent soldier named Pavel Ruk, born in 1612 and died in 1674, served in the Imperial Army of the Holy Roman Empire. He was notable for his role in the Thirty Years' War and received several commendations for his bravery and tactical acumen.

Marta Ruk, a notable figure from the late 18th century, flourished as a respected midwife and local healer in the town of Brno, now in the Czech Republic. Born in 1760 and dying in 1832, her legacy includes numerous manuscripts detailing herbal remedies and childbirth practices that influenced medical traditions in the region.

During the 19th century, the Ruk surname was carried to North America by emigrants. One such notable individual is Johann Ruk, who emigrated from Bavaria to the United States in 1848. Born in 1822 and passed away in 1899, Johann established a successful farming enterprise in Wisconsin and contributed to the development of agricultural techniques in his community.

Additionally, the name appears in military records of the Napoleonic Wars. Lieutenant Karl Ruk, born in 1785 and killed in action in 1813, served in the Austrian army and was recognized posthumously for his valor during the Battle of Leipzig.

Historical manuscripts and parish registries have preserved these accounts, revealing the diverse roles the Ruk family members played in their respective societies. The etymological journey of Ruk highlights its adaptability and the storied path it has traveled through centuries of European history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ruk

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ruk 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 Ruk was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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