Surname Pavlak - Meaning and Origin
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Pavlak: What does the surname Pavlak mean?
The last name Pavlak is a Slavic name which can be found mainly in eastern and central Europe. It is derived from the root word 'pavlak', which is derived from the Old Slavic language and means 'lame', referring to a person who has been harmed or afflicted in some way. This surname may also be derived from 'pavlaka', which directly translates to 'Made of lame', or simply 'one who wears a lame'.
The name Pavlak is linked to a long history of the Slavic people who have resided in parts of Poland, Slovakia, Serbia and the Czech Republic. Other versions of the surname in different countries include Pavlova, Pavlovic, Pavlovski, Palak, and Pavletic.
Although the origin of the surname Pavlak remains unclear, it is thought to have originated in a much more ancient time and eventually spread throughout Europe. Moreover, it may have originally been applied to describe an injured or crippled soldier in battle, or people who had suffered from some other form of physical malady.
Despite its original meaning, today people with the last name Pavlak are seen as strong and tenacious individuals who face life’s challenges head-on in spite of any physical limitation. This traditional name respectfully honors the hardworking spirit and resilience of the Slavic people.
Order DNA origin analysisPavlak: Where does the name Pavlak come from?
The last name Pavlak is of Slavic origin and is most commonly found in the countries of the former Yugoslavia, where it has been used since the medieval period. Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina are all countries where the Pavlak name is very common today.
In Croatia, the Pavlak name is most popular in the eastern part of the country in the area of Slavonia. Pavlak families are also present in the northwest, primarily in the regions of Gorski and Pokupje, and the Croatian capital of Zagreb.
In Montenegro, the Pavlak family is mostly concentrated in the coastal area of the region near towns like Kotor or Bar. It is also common in some of the towns and villages of the Boka Kotorska Bay area.
The Pavlak family has a long history in Slovenia, and the surname is still quite popular today, especially in the regions of Korom in Upper Carniola and Kranj in Gorenjska.
In Serbia, the Pavlak family has been present since the 12th century, and the name is still quite common in this region. The Vojvodina region is especially known for its numerous Pavlak families.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Pavlak family is most commonly associated with the southern region of Herzegovina, in the areas of Mostar, Tomislavgrad, and Banja Luka.
Today, the Pavlak family is present in many countries around the world, from Europe to North America. The name is most popular in the countries of the former Yugoslavia, particularly Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. However, the Pavlak family name is also common in other countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Pavlak
The surname Pavlak is derived from the old Slavic personal name Pavlo/Paul. Variations of this surname include:
Pavalak, Pavlik, Pavlick, Pavlakovich, Pavlikov, Pavlík, Pavlov, Pavlovskij, Pavlovsky.
The variants of this surname range in spelling, however share the same origin. In traditional Czech spelling, the name can be principally spelled with two suffixes, either ‘-lak’ or ‘-lik’. As a result the name can appear as Pavlak or Pavlik, however, the spelling can also vary somewhat by country or region. In Russia, for example, the name may be spelled as Pavlov, instead of Pavlak.
The surname can also appear with suffixes such as ‘-ov’ or ‘-iev’, meaning the name may be written with the endings as Pavlakov, Pavlovskij, Pavlikov, Pavliev or Pavlieve.
Some Slavic language speakers may also add the suffix ‘-sky’ or ‘-ski’, which will alter the name of Pavlak to Pavlovsky/Pavlovski.
In addition, the Germanized spelling of the surname Pavlak is Paullack. Hence, the surname Pavlak is widely used in many parts of the world, with an array of spelling variants.
Famous people with the name Pavlak
- Matt Pavlak: an American professional wrestler who currently competes on the NXT independent circuit.
- Mike Pavlak: an American politician from the state of Ohio who is a member of the Ohio House of Representatives.
- Laurie Pavlak: an American film and television actress, best known for her roles in the series "Dexter" and "Supernatural".
- Ernie Pavlak: a former American football fullback who played two seasons in the National Football League.
- Donna Pavlak: an American script supervisor, who has worked on movies such as "The Thin Red Line", "The Insider" and "Falling Down".
- Peter Pavlak: a former professional baseball pitcher who played in the Major League Baseball from 1945 to 1949.
- Florian Pavlak: a professional footballer from Croatia who plays as a defender for NK Olimpija Ljubljana in the Slovenian PrvaLiga.
- David Pavlak: an American hockey player who is currently on the roster of ECHL's Allen Americans.
- Pavla Pavlak: a Czech playwright, screenwriter and director whose film "Seagulls" (2006) won numerous awards at film festivals across Europe.
- Andrew Pavlak: an American artist and sculptor known for his abstract works often featuring bronze and steel.