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

Ryzak, 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 Ryzak surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Ryzak in America

Ryzak is the 141788th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ryzak surname appeared 108 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 Ryzak.

The history of the last name Ryzak

The surname Ryzak has its origins in Eastern Europe, predominantly in Poland and the surrounding regions. It dates back to medieval times, around the 13th and 14th centuries. The name is derived from the Polish word "ryż," meaning 'rice,' combined with a diminutive or occupational suffix '-ak,' which was common in Slavic languages. This suggests that the family might have been involved in farming rice or had some specific connection to the cultivation or trade of rice.

Records from the 15th century in Poland mention individuals with similar surnames such as "Ryz," showing the early etymological roots of Ryzak. While there are no specific entries in the Domesday Book for this surname due to its geographical origins outside England, other prominent manuscripts and documents from Eastern Europe provide evidence of its existence. For example, tax records from the 16th century in the Kraków region list a Jan Ryzak, a farmer.

The earliest recorded examples of the Ryzak surname date back to the late 14th century, with a Mikołaj Ryzak appearing in land ownership documents in Lesser Poland. Variations in the spelling of the surname over the centuries include Ryzak, Ryżak, and Rzyzak, reflecting regional dialects and the evolution of language. An old village name related to the surname is Ryżówka, located in Southern Poland, indicating a settlement where the Ryzak family might have lived or owned land.

Among the notable individuals with the surname Ryzak, one of the earliest mentions is of Katarzyna Ryzak, born in 1601, who was known for her charitable work in the small town of Nowy Sącz. Another prominent figure is Mateusz Ryzak, a soldier who served in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth army during the late 17th century and died in 1695. In more recent history, during the 19th century, Piotr Ryzak became a well-known artisan in the city of Lviv, contributing to the town's architecture and cultural heritage.

A dedicated historian of Polish surnames, Stanisław Ryzak, born in 1912, documented the history and etymology of numerous Polish family names, including his own. His research and publications provide valuable insights into the origins and meanings of surnames like Ryzak. Another significant individual is Helena Ryzak, an educator and an activist in the early 20th century, who played a crucial role in the development of education for women in Galicia.

Historical references, manuscripts, land records, and tax documents illustrate the rich history and significance of the Ryzak surname. This name, rooted in Poland’s medieval past, reflects the agricultural heritage and the socio-economic roles of its bearers, encapsulating centuries of Eastern European history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ryzak

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

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

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

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