Explore the Family Name Vas
The meaning of Vas
1. Hungarian: from vas ‘iron’, hence a metonymic occupational name for a blacksmith, or a nickname for a resilient, tough man. This form of the surname is also found in Slovakia (see also below). Compare Vass and Wash. 2. Slovak, Croatian, and Slovenian (Vaš): from Hungarian vas ‘iron’ (see above). 3. Slovenian (Vaš): from a shortened and altered form of the personal name Sebastjan (see Sebastian). Compare Wash. 4. Portuguese: variant of Vaz. 5. Dutch: from a short form of the personal name Vastrad (until the 19th century a common personal name in the Vas family in North Holland), composed of the elements fasta ‘fast, fixed’ + rēda ‘counsel, advice’. Some characteristic forenames: Spanish Guillermo, Jose, Mario. Hungarian Tibor, Arpad.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Vas in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Vas has seen a rise in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it held the rank of 52,714, but by 2010, it had climbed the ranks to 47,614—a 9.67% increase. The number of individuals bearing this surname also grew during this period. In 2000, 369 people were recorded with this surname, while in 2010, the count increased to 445, seeing a 20.6% growth. Its prevalence per 100k citizens also rose slightly from 0.14 to 0.15.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #52,714 | #47,614 | 9.67% |
| Count | 369 | 445 | 20.6% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.14 | 0.15 | 7.14% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Vas
The ethnic identity associated with the Vas surname has shown some significant shifts. Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the percentage of those identified as Asian/Pacific Islander increased by 23.4% from 2000 to 2010. Conversely, the percentage of those identifying with two or more races saw a decrease of 33.58%. Those who identify as White still make up the largest proportion, however, it decreased from 69.65% in 2000 to 64.04% in 2010. The Hispanic representation experienced the most dramatic change, increasing by 72.48% between 2000 and 2010. Lastly, Black representation was introduced in 2010 at 1.35%, whereas it was nonexistent in 2000. The American Indian and Alaskan Native category showed no change, remaining at 0% for both years.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 69.65% | 64.04% | -8.05% |
| Hispanic | 10.03% | 17.3% | 72.48% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 11.11% | 13.71% | 23.4% |
| Two or More Races | 5.42% | 3.6% | -33.58% |
| Black | 0% | 1.35% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |