Explore the Family Name Polish
The meaning of Polish
Jewish (American): translation into English of Polish Polski, Polak, or a similar name. Some characteristic forenames: Jewish Ari.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Polish in the United States?
Based on data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname "Polish" has seen a decrease in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, the surname ranked 69,854 in popularity, but dropped to 80,678 by 2010, signifying a 15.5% drop in rank. The count of individuals with this surname similarly declined over this period, with 262 people bearing it in 2000 compared to 235 in 2010, marking a decline of 10.31%. Consequently, the proportion per 100,000 people also decreased from 0.1 to 0.08, a 20% reduction.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #69,854 | #80,678 | -15.5% |
| Count | 262 | 235 | -10.31% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.1 | 0.08 | -20% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Polish
Regarding ethnic identity, the data from the Decennial U.S. Census reveals that the "Polish" surname is predominantly associated with White ethnicity. In 2000, 95.04% of those with the surname were of White ethnicity, a figure slightly declining to 93.62% by 2010. The Hispanic ethnicity share also decreased from 3.44% in 2000 to 2.55% in 2010, a change of -25.87%. Interestingly, the census data indicates a new representation of the "Polish" surname within the category of two or more races in 2010, which wasn't present in 2000. There was no representation from Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, or American Indian and Alaskan Native ethnicities in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 95.04% | 93.62% | -1.49% |
| Hispanic | 3.44% | 2.55% | -25.87% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 2.13% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |