Polk

Polk is an English and Scottish surname that can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It likely originated as a nickname for someone with a pale or white complexion, derived from the Old English word “polc” or the Gaelic word “pollag”. Notable bearers of the surname include James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States, and Leonidas Polk, a Confederate general during the American Civil War. Today, the surname Polk is relatively uncommon and can be found mainly in the southern United States.