Surname Gundlack - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gundlack: What does the surname Gundlack mean?
The last name Gundlack is of German origin, and is derived from the Germanic elements "gund", which means "war" or "battle", and "lack", which means "lacquer". In its original form the name refers to someone who manufactured lacquer used to coat weapons for battle and warfare, or someone who dealt in such weapons. The Gundlack surname is most commonly found in Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg in Germany.
Gundlack is the 45th most common German surname, particularly in the south of the country. It is also relatively common in parts of Europe, and in the United States, primarily due to the large number of German immigrants who came to America in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The meaning of the Gundlack surname is related to its source. The archaic term “lack” or “lak” was a common term for varnish or wax, which was used to coat objects such as weapons to make them shine and protect them from rust and wear.
Many individuals with this surname may also be associated with particular professions or trades, as is common among families with Germanic roots. Examples of related professions include armourers, lacquerers, metalworkers, painters, and weavers.
Given its strong Germanic roots, the Gundlack surname is an apt reminder of the strength, hard work, and fortitude of the generations of immigrants who brought that name and its associated values to their new homes.
Order DNA origin analysisGundlack: Where does the name Gundlack come from?
The last name Gundlack is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Population records from these countries show that the surname Gundlack is most common in Germany, with a few records existing for Austria and the Czech Republic. It is speculated the surname Gundlack derives from northern Germany or Poland and was likely originally used as a patronymic name, meaning a derivation of the first name of the father. This name is quite uncommon in the United States, with records only existing since the mid-20th century.
The Gundlack name is derived from the Germanic language, which suggests that there are many spellings and variations, such as Guntlach or Guntlack. In Germany, the Gundlack family may have originated in the region near Prussia or Silesia. As DNA testing and genealogy research become more commonplace, it will be interesting to see how the Gundlack family is related to other Germanic surnames.
In 1980, the U.S. Census Bureau reported 3,914 individuals with the Gundlack surname living in the U.S. From then on, the name gradually increased in size and in 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau reported 8,638 individuals with the Gundlack name living in the United States. The highest concentration of thename in the U.S. can be found in the state of Illinois, followed by New York and Michigan. It is likely the Gundlack name will continue to increase in numbers in America, as more families from European countries relocate to the United States.
Variations of the surname Gundlack
Gundlack is a distinctive German surname with a variety of variants.
Gundla, Gundlach, Gundlacher, and Gundlock are all variants of the surname Gundlack. Because of the German spelling standardization of the 19th century, many of these variants may have either become obsolete or evolved into a completely new one.
Over time, the surname may have developed into various other surnames such as Gundlachmann or Gundlateral. Another variation of Gundlack is Gündlach. This is the spelling a native German speaker would use. It can also be found as Gondolak, Gundaleck, Gundalek, Gündelach, and Gündelleck.
A further variation of the surname is Gundelach, which is derived from the Dutch spelling of Gundlack. In addition, it can occasionally be found as Grendlach, Grendlacher or Grendlacker.
The spelling of Gundlack can also vary depending on which area of Germany it comes from. In some parts of Germany, the name may be spelled as Gundlek or Gündlek. It can also be spelled as Goondlak in some regions. Lastly, a common variant of the surname is Güntelack.
It is also important to note that spellings may have changed as families moved into other parts of Germany or across Europe. So, while Gundlack is the predominant spelling, many variants of the surname may exist.
Famous people with the name Gundlack
- Henry Gundlach: A German-American watchmaker who developed and patented the first practical safety razor in 1859.
- M. J. Gundlach: A prominent philanthropist and leader in the Presbyterian Church who served as president of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary from 1972-1987.
- Erich Gundlach: A German physicist who was an architect of Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle, developed the Gundlach-Siegert formula and worked alongside with Werner Heisenberg and Otto Hahn.
- Leo E.R. Gundlach: A German entomologist who specialized in Diptera and conducted important research on the Rhagoletis pomonella fruit fly.
- Richard Gundlach: An American entrepreneur and businessman who was a Major General in the US Army and was heavily involved in US auto industry.
- Richard J. Gundlach: An American nuclear physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project and discovered the rules of baby games.
- Elizabeth Gundlach: A US artist and sculptor known for her public lifestyle works, as well as her corporate and private commissions.
- Christian Gundlach: A German chess master who was a World Championship challenger in 1893 and winner of the German Chess Championships in 1895–1900.
- John J. Gunlach: A US Army officer who served in the American Civil War, receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions in 1863.
- Kurt Gundlach: A noted German bacteriologist and virologist who identified the mosquito itself as the vector of malaria and yellow fever.