Surname Gurnak - Meaning and Origin

Gurnak: What does the surname Gurnak mean?

The last name Gurnak is derived from various Slavic and Jewish origin languages, suggesting this surname originated in Eastern Europe. Its primary meaning is derived from the Yiddish term "gornish", which translates to "mountain dweller". It is thought to have been an occupational surname, as Jewish people in Eastern Europe were often referred to by both location and profession.

Gurnak could have been a name for a shepherd or a farmer, as this was commonly seen among the Jewish population of Eastern Europe in the 18th century. According to WorldNames PublicProfiler, there are only 49 people in the world with this surname, and the highest concentration is in the United States.

The Gurnak surname is quite unique and is rarely seen. It carries a strong meaning derived from both its East European origin and its occupational history. It remains an interesting part of the Jewish heritage and a reminder of the persecution and brave resilience that followed.

Gurnak: Where does the name Gurnak come from?

The last name Gurnak is most commonly found in Poland. It is a Polish name and is derived from the personal name Gurn, which is in turn derived from the Slavic word gora, meaning mountain. It was most likely originally a nickname or descriptive name that evolved into a surname. It is still most commonly found in Poland, where it is believed to be the 75th most common surname. It is also found throughout Europe, with small quantities of people bearing the name in countries such as Germany, Russia, and Belarus. Additionally, it can be found in the United States, Canada, and other countries that have welcomed Polish-American and Polish-Canadian immigrants. The last name Gurnak can also be found throughout the world thanks to the increased availability of global communications and the expanded influence of the internet.

Variations of the surname Gurnak

Gurnak is a surname of Central and Eastern European origin. It is a variant of Gornak, Gornok, Gornik, Gornack, and Gornikow. The surname Gurnak is derived from the word 'góra' meaning 'mountain', denoting someone who is from the mountains or someone who is a mountaineer.

Variant spellings of the surname Gurnak include: Gurnak, Gurnok, Gurnik, Gurnack, Gornack, Gornak, Gornok, Gornik, Gornikow and Gornackow. This list may not be exhaustive as certain regions may use different spellings or spellings with minor variations.

Surnames of similar origin include: Gorczak, Gorny, Gorak, Garbuza, Gornyak, Gorniak, Gurnak, Gurniak, Górczak and Gorczynski.

The surname Gurnak may also be a variation of the name Gurney. This is derived from the Old French surname Gornai, which refers to someone from Maine, France.

Gurnak is an uncommon surname, with only a few individuals with this surname recorded in the United States and Canada. Analysis of the available data suggests that the majority of those with this surname originate from Eastern Europe and are of Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia descent. There is an incidence in the United States and Canada, particularly in the state of Illinois.

Famous people with the name Gurnak

• Bruce Gurnak: American musician, producer, and composer who is best known for his work as a film score driver and his collaborations with the jazz legend Sun Ra.
• Edward B Gurnak: award-winning Polish-American neurologist and eminent figure in the field of developments in neurology during the 1950s.
• Irving Gurnick: Professor emeritus of English at the University of Massachusetts who focused his scholarship in medieval English literature and language, Old Norse and Icelandic literature, and the Bible as literature.
• Patricia Gurnak: classically trained pianist and composer of modern American music whose works have been performed in international venues such as Carnegie Hall and at festivals by renowned musicians like the Merling Trio.
• Rose Gurnak: first woman to graduate from the University of Chicago Law School and one of the first women to successfully practice law in Chicago.
• Samuel Irwin Gurnak: lawyer from Brooklyn, New York, and a commissioner of the City of New York.
• Sylvan Gurnak: artist who focuses primarily on the medium of drawing and graphic art.
• Richard E. Gurnack: musical theatre performer, actor and instructor whose career has spanned nearly four decades appearing on and off Broadway, in films, television and regional theatres.
• Ozzie Gurnak: longtime resident of Arizona and film director who has directed several independent film projects as well as music videos, television shows, and web series.
• Cecil A. Gurnak: American writer and novelist who specialized in writing science fiction horror in the 50s and 60s.

Other surnames

Gurnay