Polk is a surname of Scottish origin, derived from a place name. It is believed to have originated in the lands of Polok near Biggar in Lanarkshire, Scotland. The name was first recorded as a family name in the mid-13th century. Today, it is predominantly found in England and the United States, with some presence in other English-speaking countries.
The name Polk experienced fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a noticeable spike between 1917 and 1925. The peak occurred in 1917 with 8 births, followed by another high of 8 births in 1925. However, the majority of the years listed saw either 5 or 6 births each.