Saks
A surname derived from the Russian word for garden or orchard.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,337 Americans carry the last name Saks. That puts it at #22,450 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.39 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 256,361 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Saks surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
1.3K
1 in 256,361
Census rank
#22,450
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.1K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,146 bearers of the surname Saks in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.39 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 22450th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Saks, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.4%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Saks
The surname SAKS finds its origins in the Anglo-Saxon era of Britain. The name is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'sacc', meaning 'sack' or 'bag'. This suggests that the name may have been an occupational surname, referring to those who were involved in the trade or manufacture of sacks or bags.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname SAKS can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, dated 1176, where it appears as 'Sacke'. This document mentions a person with the name holding land in the county at that time. Another early reference is found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where the spelling 'Sak' is used.
During the Middle Ages, the surname SAKS appeared to be particularly prevalent in the counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Wiltshire. It is likely that the name originated in one of these regions before spreading to other parts of England.
An interesting historical reference to the surname SAKS can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086. While the surname itself is not recorded, there are several entries mentioning places with names derived from the Old English word 'sacc', such as 'Saccamere' (now Sedgemoor) in Somerset.
Notable individuals with the surname SAKS throughout history include:
1. William Saks (c. 1460-1535), a member of the Worshipful Company of Skinners in London and a prominent merchant in his time.
2. John Saks (1576-1638), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works.
3. Thomas Saks (1640-1718), a successful farmer and landowner in Oxfordshire, whose family's wealth and influence grew significantly during his lifetime.
4. Mary Saks (1702-1778), a pioneering educator who established one of the earliest schools for girls in Bristol, England.
5. Samuel Saks (1811-1895), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Opera House.
While the surname SAKS is not as common as some others, its long history and association with various occupations and individuals have contributed to its significance in the annals of British surnames.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Saks
Among Census respondents with the surname Saks, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.4%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Saks bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Saks surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.2%
- Hispanic or Latino3.4%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.0%
- Black or African American0.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Saks surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #22,450 | #22,450 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,146 | 1,146 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.39 | 0.39 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Saks bearers went from 1,146 to 1,146 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #22,450 to #22,450.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Saks
FAQ
Saks surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Saks?
The surname Saks holds position #22,450 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,337 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.39 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Saks surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Saks, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.4%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.0%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.