polk

Polk is a surname and a place name used in the United States. The most prominent bearer is James K. Polk (1795–1849), the 11th president of the United States, who served from 1845 to 1849 and oversaw a period of territorial expansion. In his honor, and sometimes in reference to other individuals with the surname, many counties and towns have been named Polk. There are Polk Counties in several states, including Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon, and Wisconsin, among others.

Polk also refers to various non-toponymic uses. Polk Audio is an American manufacturer of loudspeakers and audio equipment, founded in 1972 and known for home theater and car audio products. The George Polk Awards are journalism prizes named after journalist George Polk and presented by Long Island University to recognize excellence in reporting.

In addition to these uses, Polk appears as a surname for other individuals and as a geographic name in multiple places, reflecting its role as a widely distributed toponym and family name in American history and culture.