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

Whack, 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 Whack surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whack in America

Whack is the 44730th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whack surname appeared 480 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 Whack.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whack 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 Whack

The surname Whack appears to have its origins in England, specifically in the Midlands region, during the late medieval period. The name is believed to be derived from old words or phrases indicating a sharp impact or forceful blow, reflecting perhaps a characteristic occupation or notable event associated with a bearer of this name. Variations or similar spellings such as Whacky or Whacke have occasionally appeared in historical documents, showing the fluidity of spelling in past centuries.

Whack is a relatively uncommon name, and its earliest records are sparse. One of the earliest mentions comes from a 15th-century court record in Warwickshire, where a John Whacke was noted in connection with a local dispute. This is indicative of the name's presence in rural communities, where written records were intermittent but important for legal and land ownership reasons.

Historical manuscripts such as tax records, land grants, and parish registers of the 16th and 17th centuries have occasional entries mentioning bearers of the name Whack. One such notable mention is Richard Whack, born circa 1570, who appears in the parish records of Staffordshire. His recorded activities involve land transactions which illustrate the family’s moderate social standing and involvement in agricultural pursuits.

By the 18th century, the name becomes slightly more visible. Thomas Whack, born in 1702 in Nottinghamshire, is one of the few whose life is documented in various records, including marriage registers and wills. His family appears to have been small landowners, with their holdings increasing modestly over time. The survival of such documents provides a glimpse into the fluctuating fortunes of those bearing the surname.

In the 19th century, the name Whack appears in more diverse areas, likely a result of internal migration within England. Richard Samuel Whack, born in 1825 in Warwickshire and later moving to London, is recorded in census records and trade directories as a carpenter. His life reflects the urbanization and industrial shifts occurring in England during that period.

Historical references to the surname Whack are further buttressed by mentions in local newspapers and directories. For instance, Elizabeth Whack, who was born in 1854 in Coventry and noted in a local gazette for her charitable works, became a minor local figure. Her contributions to the community, particularly during the harsh economic conditions of the late Victorian era, were modest but appreciated, earning her a brief mention in local histories.

In summary, the surname Whack originates from medieval England, likely rooted in terms that describe a striking action or event. It appears sporadically in historical records, reflecting a variety of social standings from rural farmers to urban tradesmen. Despite its rarity, the name has persisted through centuries, carried by individuals whose lives are occasionally documented in the historical record.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whack

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

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

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

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