Explore the Family Name Fork
The meaning of Fork
1. Scottish and Irish: possibly an Anglicized (quasi-translation) form of Irish Gaelic Ó Gabhlaigh ‘descendant of Gabhalach’, from gabhlach ‘forked’. See Forkin. 2. English: from Middle English forke ‘fork, pitchfork’ (Old English force, forca), perhaps for an agricultural laborer or someone who worked with a pitchfork (see Forker). Alternatively, through metathesis of -ro- to -or- the name may derive from Middle English frok ‘frock, outer garment’ (Old French froc ‘man’s outer garment’), perhaps for a maker of clothes.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Fork in the United States?
The surname "Fork" was ranked 62,046 in terms of popularity in the United States according to the Decennial U.S. Census data from 2000, but it dropped to 84,136 by 2010, reflecting a significant 35.6% decrease. The count of individuals with the surname also decreased over the same time frame, dropping from 302 in 2000 to 223 in 2010, a substantial 26.16% decline. The proportion per 100k people also dropped from 0.11 to 0.08, marking a 27.27% decrease.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #62,046 | #84,136 | -35.6% |
| Count | 302 | 223 | -26.16% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.11 | 0.08 | -27.27% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Fork
In terms of ethnic identity, the Decennial U.S. Census data shows that the majority of individuals with the surname "Fork" identified as White in both 2000 and 2010, with an increase from 84.77% to 87.89% respectively. The percentage of those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander dropped entirely from 2.32% in 2000 to 0% in 2010. Those identifying as Black decreased slightly from 10.60% in 2000 to 8.07% in 2010. There were no recorded individuals with the surname "Fork" who identified as Hispanic or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year, and no individuals reported having two or more races.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 84.77% | 87.89% | 3.68% |
| Black | 10.6% | 8.07% | -23.87% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 2.32% | 0% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |