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

Wilkosz, 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 Wilkosz surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wilkosz in America

Wilkosz is the 63373rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wilkosz surname appeared 315 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 Wilkosz.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wilkosz 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 Wilkosz

The surname Wilkosz has its origins in Poland, where it has been documented since the medieval period. The name is believed to derive from the Polish word "wilk," meaning "wolf," which was a common animal figure in Polish heraldry and folklore. Names derived from animals were often bestowed to convey qualities such as strength, bravery, and cunning.

The earliest occurrences of the name can be traced back to the regions of Lesser Poland and Silesia. Its roots are deeply embedded in the Slavic tradition of occupational and nickname-based surnames. The suffix "osz" is a diminutive or patronymic form in Polish, often used to indicate lineage or a smaller version of something, attaching a familial or endearing sense to the base word "wilk."

Historical records from the 15th century feature the name in various forms, such as Wilkos, Wilkoss, and Wilkosze. These variations reflect the linguistic transitions and dialectical influences within different regions of Poland. The name Wilkosz began to stabilize in its current spelling around the 16th century, as orthographic standards became more established.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Wilkosz was Piotr Wilkosz, a landowner in Silesia, who is mentioned in a 1472 legal document concerning property disputes. His name appears as a witness in the transcribed record, indicating his status within the local community.

In the 17th century, Jan Wilkosz was recorded in Kraków as a merchant, showcasing the spread of the name into urban centers and its association with the rising Polish bourgeoisie. Jan's involvement in trade and local politics highlights the integration of the surname into various strata of society.

A key historical figure with the surname Wilkosz is Marcin Wilkosz, a military officer who served in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth's army during the late 1600s. His contributions to the Battle of Vienna in 1683, where the Commonwealth forces played a critical role in defeating the Ottoman Empire, are documented in military annals.

In the 18th century, Zofia Wilkosz, a renowned poet and writer, contributed significantly to Polish literature. Born in 1721 and active until her death in 1789, Zofia's works were admired for their patriotic fervor and lyrical quality. Her literary legacy provides insight into the cultural milieu of the Polish Enlightenment.

The surname continued to be prominent in the 19th century, with figures such as Andrzej Wilkosz, a noted academic and mathematician born in 1833. His research and publications in the field of algebra and geometry were highly influential, shaping the academic discourse of his time until his death in 1897.

Overall, the surname Wilkosz has roots deeply embedded in Polish history and culture. Its meaning, directly linked to the image of the wolf, paints a picture of the values and qualities esteemed in historical Polish society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wilkosz

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

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

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

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