Surname Jirak - Meaning and Origin
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Jirak: What does the surname Jirak mean?
The last name Jirak is of Czech origin. It is derived from the Old Czech word for fur or leather. The name was likely borne by people who worked with leather or fur, such as a tanner, glover, boot maker or furrier. The Jirak family name can also be found throughout Central Europe, including the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary.
The earliest record of the surname Jirak dates back to the 14th century and includes Vaclav Jirak of Prague. This records shows us that individuals with this surname were present in the area surrounding Prague by the start of the 14th century. In the 16th century, records suggest that the Jirak family was living in Uhersky Ostroh, in the Moravian region of the Czech Republic.
The Czech Republic is a beautiful country with a rich culture and vibrant history. The Jirak family has been part of this history for hundreds of years, and this tells us that the Jirak surname is an important part of Czech heritage. As such, those who bear this surname can be proud of their family's legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisJirak: Where does the name Jirak come from?
The last name Jirak is most commonly found today in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Austria, and the United States.
The Czech Republic has the highest concentration of Jirak’s with an estimated 2,900 people using the name. The Czech language is the main form of communication in the Czech Republic and speaking Czech is necessary to fully understand the nuances of the language.
In Slovakia the Jirak name is also quite common, with around 1,200 people using it. Besides the strong agricultural history there, the origin of this surname is believed to derive from the German name Geir, meaning ‘spear’.
In Germany, there are about 300 people with the name Jirak. This is believed to be due to the migrating populations from outside the country and the prevalence of German-speaking immigrants in the area.
In both Austria and the United States, the name Jirak is much less common. In Austria, the name is estimated to be held by about 200 people. Whereas, in the United States, the name is held by perhaps 40 people in total.
Overall, the name Jirak is most prevalent in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, and Austria. However, the name can be found in the United States, albeit in significantly smaller numbers.
Variations of the surname Jirak
The surname Jirak can be spelled and pronounced differently depending on the language and region. In different languages it can be spelled Yerak, Gierak, Girak, Girik, Ghirak, Jerak, Yeriak, Yerik and Jirick. The surname Jirak also goes by several tribal and ancestral variants such as Yirik, Jirik, Yerak, Jerik and Geerak.
In some regions and languages, the variants for the surname Jirak will be used interchangeably. For example, in Russian, the surname Гирак (Girak) is often seen as an alternate for the surname that is written as Джирак (Jirak).
The surname Jirak is an ancient East European name, which is likely a corruption of an old Nordic or Slavonic word. It is likely derived from the ancient Slavic word “Yeraki”, which means “peaceful warrior” or “brave guardian”.
In some regions, the surname Jirak has been referred to as a “patronymic” name. This is an old-fashioned family name, which is passed down from father to son and daughter. The “patronymic” surname Jirak is very popular among many Eastern European countries, from Ukraine to Estonia.
The surname Jirak has been in existence for hundreds of years and is likely to be reinvented again. It is commonly found as a surname in many countries around the world, from the United States to Australia.
Famous people with the name Jirak
- Lucie Jirak: Lynx manager and women's football coach from the Czech Republic.
- Patricia Jirak: Czech TV presenter and model.
- Frantisek Jirak: Czech figurative painter.
- Kathryn Jirak: American composer and music educator.
- Rick Jirak: American professional basketball player.
- Gustav Jirak: Famous Czech artist and sculptor.
- Michael Jirak: Professional E-sports gamer with Czech roots.
- Hiram Jirak: American Mining engineer.
- Stanislav Jirak: Czech rugby union player.
- Alois Jirak: Austro-Hungarian pre- World War I military figure.
- Susanne Jirak: Austrian historian and archivist.
- Antonin Jirak: Slovak fighter pilot and ace of World War II.
- Egon Jirak: Czechoslovakian cyclist during the Interbellum period.
- Edward Jirak: American jazz saxophone player.
- Vilem Jirak: Czech banker, poet and literary theorist.
- Viktor Jirak: Czech soccer defender.
- Josef Jirak: Polish journalist and writer.
- Alice Jirak: American poet and translator.
- Milan Jirák: Czech immunologist and virologist.
- Petr Jirák: Czech geologist and mineralogist.