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

Spotted Elk, 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 Spotted Elk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Spotted Elk in America

Spotted Elk is the 98553rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Spotted Elk surname appeared 184 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 Spotted Elk.

We can also compare 2010 data for Spotted Elk to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Spotted Elk

The surname SPOTTEDELK originated in the region of Saxony in what is now eastern Germany, likely emerging in the late Middle Ages during the 13th or 14th century. It is believed to be derived from a combination of the Middle Low German words "spot" meaning "jest" or "mockery" and "elk" referring to the large deer-like animal native to the forests of northern Europe.

One of the earliest known references to the name appears in a 1437 court transcript from the town of Meissen, where a man named Hans SPOTTEDELK is listed as a witness in a dispute over property boundaries. This suggests the name may have been associated with a particular family or individuals who were known for their playful or irreverent behavior, perhaps even earning a reputation as jesters or entertainers.

In the 16th century, records from the city of Leipzig mention a merchant named Jakob SPOTTEDELK who traded in furs and other goods from the surrounding woodlands. This could indicate a connection between the name and the hunting or trapping of elk or other game animals.

A notable bearer of the name was the scholar and theologian Johann SPOTTEDELK (1587-1649), who taught at the University of Wittenberg and was known for his work on the interpretation of biblical texts. His writings and teachings may have helped to solidify the name's association with intellectual pursuits or religious study.

During the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), a military commander named Friedrich SPOTTEDELK is recorded as leading a regiment of Saxon soldiers in several key battles against Swedish and Imperial forces. His exploits on the battlefield likely contributed to the name's prominence and helped establish it as a respected family lineage.

In the 18th century, a craftsman named Christoph SPOTTEDELK gained renown for his intricate woodcarvings and furniture making in the city of Dresden. His works were highly sought after by noble patrons and helped spread the name's reputation for artistic skill and craftsmanship throughout the region.

While the surname SPOTTEDELK may have originated in Germany, it has since been carried by individuals and families across Europe and beyond, reflecting the diverse histories and migrations of those who bear this distinctive name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Spotted Elk

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

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 Spotted Elk 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Spotted Elk has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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