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

Wilczek, 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 Wilczek surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wilczek in America

Wilczek is the 28465th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wilczek surname appeared 838 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 Wilczek.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wilczek 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 Wilczek

The surname Wilczek originates from Poland and can be traced back to the Middle Ages, specifically around the 14th and 15th centuries. It has its roots in the Polish word "wilczek," which translates to "little wolf." This diminutive form is derived from "wilk," meaning "wolf." The name was likely given as a nickname, possibly indicating a person with fierce or courageous characteristics, much like the animal itself.

The areas where the surname Wilczek was originally found are primarily in regions of Poland such as Upper Silesia and Lesser Poland. Upper Silesia, now a part of Poland and the Czech Republic, was a significant location for the early bearers of this surname. As historical records indicate, variations of the surname, such as Wilczko and Wilczka, also existed, reflecting the linguistic and dialectal differences across different regions.

Historical references to the surname Wilczek can be found in various old documents and manuscripts. One of the earliest known mentions is in a 15th-century land registry in the region of Kraków, where a person named Marcin Wilczek is listed as a landowner. This demonstrates the established presence of the surname in medieval Polish society.

Another notable figure from history is Jan Wilczek, born in 1520, who was a member of the Polish nobility and served as a judge in the district of Lublin. His contributions to local governance and the legal system are well-documented in regional archives.

Fast forward to the 17th century and we find Stanisław Wilczek, born in 1602, a notable figure who took part in various military campaigns and was associated with the famous Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth's army. His service records and personal letters are preserved in Polish military archives, providing insights into his life and times.

In the realm of the arts, the 18th century saw the emergence of Antoni Wilczek, born in 1758, who was a renowned painter and sculptor. His works, which include religious and historical themes, are still displayed in various museums and churches across Poland, reflecting his significant contribution to Polish cultural heritage.

The 19th century brought to light another influential Wilczek, the philanthropist and industrialist Jan Nepomucen Wilczek, born in 1825. He was instrumental in the development of various industrial enterprises in Silesia and was known for his charitable efforts aimed at improving the lives of workers and their families.

Lastly, in the early 20th century, we have the renowned Polish anthropologist and ethnographer Bronisław Wilczek, born in 1891, whose extensive fieldwork and publications on Polish folklore and rural life are considered foundational texts in the study of Slavic cultures.

The surname Wilczek, despite its variations over time and regions, maintains its etymological roots tied to the idea of a "little wolf," a nod to both the physical and metaphorical attributes associated with this enduring family name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wilczek

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

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

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

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