History of your Surname
Get access to Kwak family records.Start a free trial

Kwak Family History

Kwak Name Meaning

Korean: there is only one Chinese character used for the surname Kwak. Some sources list 52 clans for Kwak but only two clans can be documented. The founder of the Ch’ŏngju Kwak family was an official during the reign of Shilla King Hŏn’gyŏng (875–886) named Kwak Sang. The founder of the other Kwak clan the Hyŏnp’ung clan was named Kwak Kyŏng and migrated to Korea from Song China in 113 Compare Kwock 2 and Kwok Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 郭 see Guo Dutch: topographic or habitational name referring to a house distinguished by the sign of a night heron Dutch kwak.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: Kwon, Pak, Kwok, Kwan, Oak, Wack, Iwai, Kawai, Raak, Way

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Kwak family from?

You can see how Kwak families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Kwak family name was found in the USA in 1920. In 1920 there were 8 Kwak families living in Pennsylvania. This was about 26% of all the recorded Kwak's in USA. Pennsylvania had the highest population of Kwak families in 1920.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Kwak surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Kwak ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and New Worker were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Kwak. 43% of Kwak men worked as a Laborer and 50% of Kwak women worked as a New Worker. Some less common occupations for Americans named Kwak were Waiter and Packer. .

View Census Data for Kwak | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, Canada data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    43%
  • Miner
    22%
  • Truck Driver
    22%
  • Waiter
    15%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • New Worker
    50%
  • Packer
    50%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Kwak family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 797 census records available for the last name Kwak. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Kwak census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Kwak

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Kwak. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Kwak immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 316 military records available for the last name Kwak. For the veterans among your Kwak ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Kwak military records

You've only scratched the surface of Kwak family history

Discover More

What is the average Kwak lifespan?

Between 1951 and 2004, in the United States, Kwak life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1951, and highest in 1975. The average life expectancy for Kwak in 1951 was 45, and 69 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Kwak

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Kwak family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Kwak last name

Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial