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

Targos, 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 Targos surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Targos in America

Targos is the 148244th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Targos surname appeared 102 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 Targos.

The history of the last name Targos

The surname Targos is believed to have its origins in Poland, dating back to the medieval period. Most prominently, it is associated with regions in eastern Poland, where surnames often derived from geographic locations or the professions of their bearers. The name Targos could potentially be traced back to a place or locality in Poland, known historically as Targowisko, which translates to "marketplace." This theory supports the idea that early bearers of the name were likely involved in commerce or trade.

In Old Polish, targ referred to a market or trading place, suggesting that the progenitors of the surname Targos may have been merchants or market organizers. Historical records and manuscripts dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries contain references to individuals involved in trading, though the exact spelling of the surname might not have been consistent due to the lack of standardized orthography of the time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be traced back to the 1420s, with the mention of Jan Targosz, a trader in the Kraków region. His name appears in local trading records, emphasizing the commercial roots of the family. Subsequent documents from the 16th century reference a Wojciech Targos, a landowner in the Mazovia region, indicating the family's expansion beyond mere trading to landownership and social prominence.

In the 17th century, another notable figure, Katarzyna Targosowa, wife of a prominent nobleman, appears in various legal documents concerning land disputes and inheritances. Her presence in these records suggests the name's persistence and growing influence within Polish nobility.

During the 18th century, the Targos surname appeared in Prussian records following the partitions of Poland. One significant individual from this period was Maciej Targos, who served as a municipal leader in the city of Poznań. His leadership during a tumultuous period in Polish history reflects the surname's enduring legacy.

Famed Polish poet Józef Targos (1830-1892) carried the name into the cultural sphere. His works, commemorating Polish history and independence, left an indelible mark on Polish literature and national identity.

Each of these individuals demonstrates the rich and varied history of the surname Targos, underscoring its initial connection to trade and its eventual association with landownership, leadership, and cultural influence. The name's endurance through centuries is a testament to its deep-rooted place in Polish heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Targos

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

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

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

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