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

Schapansky, 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 Schapansky surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Schapansky in America

Schapansky is the 142819th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Schapansky surname appeared 107 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 Schapansky.

The history of the last name Schapansky

The surname Schapansky is of Germanic and Eastern European origin, primarily found in regions such as East Prussia, now part of modern-day Poland and Russia. The earliest bearers of this surname likely lived during the Middle Ages, between the 13th and 15th centuries, a time when surnames were becoming hereditary in many parts of Europe. The name Schapansky is believed to be derived from the geographical name Schapen, a place in northwestern Germany. The suffix -sky is of Slavic origin, indicating a locative or possessive form, which came into use as German settlers moved eastwards into Slavic territories.

In historical records, the surname appears in various spellings, reflecting the linguistic influences of the regions where it was used. Early manuscripts and church records from East Prussia show forms such as Schapanski and Szapanski. These variations highlight the adaptation of the name to different orthographies and languages. For instance, in a 16th-century Prussian tax record, an individual named Hans Schapanski is mentioned as a landowner, signifying the name's integration into local societies.

Another notable mention of the surname Schapansky dates back to the 17th century, where a Heinrich Schapansky was recorded in Gdansk, a city that was a significant hub of commerce and culture in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. As an important port city, Gdansk was a melting pot of different cultures and languages, further contributing to the name's various spellings and forms.

Perhaps the most influential historical figure bearing this surname was Johann Schapansky, born in 1780 and a noted figure in local administration in Koenigsberg, the capital of East Prussia. Johann played a crucial role in the civic development of Koenigsberg, serving as a council member and advocating for educational reforms until his death in 1842.

The surname also appears in 19th-century Mennonite records, particularly in relation to the emigration of Mennonite families from Prussia to North America. Dietrich Schapansky, born in 1822, is documented as one of the early Mennonite settlers who emigrated to Manitoba, Canada, in search of religious freedom and better living conditions. He contributed significantly to the establishment of Mennonite communities in the region until his passing in 1897.

The Schapansky name is further immortalized through Frida Schapansky, an early 20th-century social activist born in 1889 in what is now Kaliningrad, Russia. She was instrumental in the local women's rights movement and helped pave the way for greater equality in the workforce and education until her untimely death in 1934.

The Schapansky surname thus encapsulates a rich history intertwined with migration, cultural adaptation, and notable societal contributions. Its roots trace back to medieval Germany and subsequently branch out into Eastern Europe, particularly within Polish and Russian territories, reflecting a dynamic legacy of heritage and identity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Schapansky

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

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

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

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