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

VanSlyke, 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 VanSlyke surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of VanSlyke in America

VanSlyke is the 12827th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The VanSlyke surname appeared 2,403 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname VanSlyke.

We can also compare 2010 data for VanSlyke 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 VanSlyke

The surname VANSLYKE has its origins in the Low Countries, specifically in the Dutch-speaking regions of the Netherlands and Belgium. It emerged during the Middle Ages, possibly as early as the 12th century. The name is derived from the Dutch words "van" meaning "from" and "slijk" or "slyk," referring to mud or sludge. This suggests that the name may have originated as a descriptive term for someone who lived near or worked in a muddy area or marsh.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the municipal records of the city of Leiden in the Netherlands, dating back to the 15th century. The name appeared in various spellings, including "Van Slyke," "Van Slycke," and "Van Slycken." These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and variations in spelling conventions during that time period.

The name VANSLYKE is also associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One prominent figure was Pieter Jansz van Slyke, a Dutch merchant and ship owner who lived in the 16th century. He played a significant role in the establishment of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and the exploration of trade routes to the East Indies.

Another notable VANSLYKE was Jan van Slyke, a Dutch military officer who served in the Eighty Years' War against Spain in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He participated in several key battles and was known for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

In the 18th century, there was a family of VAN SLYKEs who settled in the Mohawk Valley region of New York, having emigrated from the Netherlands. One member of this family, Harmanus Van Slyke, was a prominent landowner and farmer in the area. His descendants played an active role in the local community and politics.

Another notable figure was Gerrit van Slyke, a Dutch painter from the 17th century, known for his landscape paintings and depictions of rural life in the Netherlands. His works can be found in various art museums and collections across Europe.

The surname VANSLYKE also appears in historical records and manuscripts related to Dutch settlements and colonies in other parts of the world, such as the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia) and the Dutch West Indies (Caribbean region). These records provide insights into the migration patterns and activities of individuals bearing this name during the era of Dutch colonial expansion.

Overall, the surname VANSLYKE has a rich history rooted in the Low Countries, with a possible origin as a descriptive term related to muddy or marshy areas. It has been carried by notable individuals in various fields, including commerce, military, art, and local governance, reflecting the diverse contributions of those who bore this name throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name VanSlyke

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

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

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

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