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

Weak, 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 Weak surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Weak in America

Weak is the 131379th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Weak surname appeared 129 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 Weak.

We can also compare 2010 data for Weak 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 Weak

The surname "Weak" is of English origin, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "waec," meaning "weak" or "feeble." This name was likely given as a nickname to someone perceived as physically weak or lacking in strength during that era.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "Weak" can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded landholders in England after the Norman Conquest. The name appears as "Wac," which was a common spelling variation at the time.

In the 13th century, the surname "Weak" began to appear in various records and documents, such as the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, where it was spelled "Weyke." This spelling variation suggests a connection to the Old English word "wac," which eventually evolved into the modern spelling of "Weak."

During the 14th century, the surname "Weak" gained prominence in various regions of England. One notable bearer of the name was John Weak, a merchant from London, who was mentioned in records from the year 1371.

As time progressed, the surname "Weak" spread to other parts of the British Isles. In the 16th century, a Scottish branch of the family emerged, with records indicating the presence of a William Weak in Aberdeen in 1547.

In the 17th century, the surname "Weak" found its way to the American colonies. One of the earliest recorded instances was Thomas Weak, who arrived in Virginia in 1635. Another notable bearer of the name was Samuel Weak, who was born in Massachusetts in 1671 and later became a prominent member of the colonial militia.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname "Weak." These include:

1. Sir Robert Weak (1612-1679), an English politician and member of Parliament during the English Civil War.
2. Mary Weak (1725-1804), a British writer and poet known for her works on religious subjects.
3. James Weak (1787-1853), an American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.
4. William Weak (1828-1901), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Old Bailey courthouse.
5. Margaret Weak (1876-1958), an Australian social reformer and advocate for women's rights and child welfare.

The surname "Weak" has a rich history spanning centuries, with roots in the Old English language and a presence in various regions of the English-speaking world. While not always associated with physical strength, the name has been borne by individuals who have left their mark in various fields throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Weak

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

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

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

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