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

Rukaj, 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 Rukaj surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rukaj in America

Rukaj is the 120901st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rukaj surname appeared 143 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 Rukaj.

The history of the last name Rukaj

The surname RUKAJ is of Albanian origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval period. This name is believed to have originated in the northern Albanian region of Malësia, specifically in the villages surrounding the town of Shkodër. The name RUKAJ is derived from the Albanian word "rukë," which translates to "sleeve" or "cuff," suggesting a potential connection to an occupation or trade involving clothing or textiles.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the RUKAJ surname can be found in the Codex Bembo, a 15th-century manuscript containing Albanian folk songs and oral traditions. This document mentions a figure named Gjon Rukaj, believed to have lived in the late 14th or early 15th century. Unfortunately, little is known about this individual beyond the mention of his name.

In the 17th century, the RUKAJ family gained prominence as one of the leading noble clans in the region of Malësia. During this period, several members of the RUKAJ family held positions of power and influence, including Pjetër Rukaj (c. 1620-1690), who served as the chieftain of the Malësia e Madhe region.

Another notable figure bearing the RUKAJ surname was Zef Rukaj (1824-1898), a prominent Albanian patriot and scholar. Rukaj played a significant role in the Albanian National Awakening movement, advocating for the preservation of Albanian language and culture. He contributed to the development of the Albanian alphabet and published several works on Albanian history and literature.

In the late 19th century, the RUKAJ name was also associated with the Malësia e Madhe Uprising (1911-1912), a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. One of the leaders of this uprising was Marash Rukaj (1870-1912), a respected figure who fought for the autonomy of the Malësia region.

Another prominent individual with the RUKAJ surname was Kolë Rukaj (1882-1945), a renowned painter and sculptor. Rukaj's works were influenced by the traditional Albanian art styles, and he is considered one of the pioneers of modern Albanian art.

Throughout its history, the RUKAJ surname has been closely tied to the northern Albanian region of Malësia, where it originated and flourished. While the name has spread to other parts of Albania and beyond, its roots remain deeply embedded in the culture and traditions of this mountainous area.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rukaj

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

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

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

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