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

Streaker, 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 Streaker surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Streaker in America

Streaker is the 122534th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Streaker surname appeared 130 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 Streaker.

The history of the last name Streaker

The surname Streaker is believed to have its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. The name likely originated in the rural and coastal areas where the occupation or characteristics of its bearers influenced its formation. One possibility is that it derived from the Old English word "strican," meaning to go quickly or to move swiftly, which would describe someone who moves rapidly. Another possibility is that it is related to the Middle English word "strekere," a term used for a fast runner or someone who worked in a particular rapid task.

The earliest records of the surname appear in the late Middle Ages. Manuscripts from this era, such as the tax rolls and parish records, reveal that the surname Streaker was in use by the 14th century. For instance, a 1379 tax assessment in Yorkshire lists a John Strekere, suggesting that the name was established among the working class and may have had occupational connotations. Given its likely occupational origin, it is not uncommon to find varied spellings in historical records, including Strekere and Streker.

In the 16th century, the name began appearing in more formal documents. William Streaker of Devonshire, recorded in a 1586 parish registry, was notable for his involvement in local maritime trade. The lineage of Streaker families can especially be traced through maritime records and local guild memberships, evidencing the surnames’ affinity with professions requiring speed or agility.

In the early 17th century, the name appears in relation to emigration to the New World. Henry Streaker, born in 1592, is documented as one of the early settlers of Virginia, arriving around 1620. This further spread the surname beyond its English origins, establishing it in the American colonies.

Another notable individual is Thomas Streaker, born in 1764, who served as a militia captain during the American Revolutionary War. His leadership and the subsequent recognition of his service brought a degree of prominence to the name in historical military records.

By the late 18th century, Martha Streaker, born in 1789, is recorded as a prominent societal figure in Georgia. Her involvement in early American philanthropy and community development projects underscored the evolution of the surname through various societal roles and contributions.

In the 19th century, John Streaker, a significant figure born in 1815, became known for his work in the early American railroads, helping to expand the economic infrastructure. His contributions are well-documented in industrial records of the period.

The surname Streaker thus traces its roots from medieval England with occupational origins, appearing in tax and guild records, and spreading through emigration and significant historical contributions in various fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Streaker

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!