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

Unks, 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 Unks surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Unks in America

Unks is the 154907th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Unks surname appeared 105 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 Unks.

The history of the last name Unks

The surname UNKS has its origins in the Anglicized version of the German name Unks, which is believed to have originated in the northern regions of Germany, particularly in the areas around Hamburg and Lower Saxony. The name is thought to have derived from the Old German word "unk," which means "unknown" or "stranger."

The earliest recorded instances of the name UNKS can be traced back to the 16th century, where it appeared in various municipal records and church registers in the northern German states. One notable example is Johann Unks, a merchant and landowner from Bremen who was mentioned in a land deed from 1587.

As the name spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Uncks, Unckx, and Unkx, reflecting regional dialects and linguistic influences. In the 17th century, the name made its way to England, where it was further anglicized to UNKS.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname UNKS in England was Thomas Unks, born in 1642 in the village of Coleshill, Warwickshire. He was a farmer and landowner, and his descendants continued to live in the region for several generations.

Another notable figure was Sir William Unks (1715-1789), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War. He was known for his bravery and leadership in several naval battles, including the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759.

In the 19th century, the name UNKS gained prominence in the United States, with several individuals leaving their mark on various fields. One such person was James Unks (1822-1896), a prominent lawyer and politician from Ohio who served as a judge and later as a member of the United States House of Representatives.

Another notable American with the surname UNKS was Emily Unks (1876-1958), an educator and activist who played a significant role in the women's suffrage movement and the fight for equal rights. She founded the Unks School for Girls in Philadelphia, which became a pioneering institution in women's education.

The UNKS surname has also been associated with several notable figures in the arts and literature. One such individual was the British author and poet, Robert Unks (1903-1981), whose works explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition. His most famous work, "The Orchard Keeper," is considered a classic of 20th-century literature.

Over the centuries, the surname UNKS has maintained its presence across various parts of the world, reflecting the migrations and dispersions of families bearing this name. While its origins may be rooted in the northern regions of Germany, the name has become a part of the cultural tapestry of many nations, each adding its own unique chapter to the rich history of this surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Unks

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

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

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

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