Surname Pohlack - Meaning and Origin
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Pohlack: What does the surname Pohlack mean?
The last name Pohlack is of German origin. It is most commonly found in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and the meaning is believed to refer to the region that the family originated from.
The word "Pohlack" likely comes from a combination of two terms - pol and ack. The first is "Pol" which is derived from the Latin word meaning 'full of' or 'thick'. This refers to the thick forests that were present in the land that the family originated from. The word "ack" is an Old High German word meaning “field”, often used to refer to an expanse of agricultural land.
Together, the two words combined speak to the traditional agricultural lifestyle of the Pohlack people, as it references both the forests and the fields that were important sources of food for them. It can also be seen as a symbol of independence and resilience, as the Pohlack’s commitment to the land is a testament to their ability to survive in a region that held many challenges and hazards.
As a surname, Pohlack is a still found in various forms throughout the German-speaking world today. It is now used as a means of distinguishing between people with a common heritage, something which those bearing the name can take great pride in.
Order DNA origin analysisPohlack: Where does the name Pohlack come from?
The last name Pohlack is most commonly found today in the German-speaking parts of Europe, particularly in Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Austria. It is also found in parts of Latin America, primarily Brazil and Argentina, where many German immigrants settled during and after World War II. The Pohlack surname is also present, albeit rarely, in the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world.
The family name is derived from the German surname "Pöhlke" or "Pöhlack," which is formed from the Middle German elements "poh" and "lake," meaning "dweller by water" or "dweller near a pool." In addition to its spelling as "Pohlack," it is also sometimes recorded as Pohlack, Pöhlke, and Pöhlack.
The Pohlacks are thought to have first settled in the area of Prussia and Lower Silesia in the 11th century AD. It is believed that the family originally descended from a long line of landlords of Upper Silesia, and that their ancestors lived in the area now known as Poland for many centuries.
Given the predominant culture in the regions aforementioned, it is likely the surname is of German origin. In modern times, the Pohlack name is considered quite rare although a surprisingly high number of people still bear the name. Its continued existence in Europe and Latin America is likely due to its memorable German sound and strong cultural identity.
Variations of the surname Pohlack
Pohlack is a German surname that can have several variations, spellings, and related surnames. It can be spelled Poolack, Pohleck, Poelack, and Pöhlack. It is also related to the surnames Pahlack, Pohlaack, and Pölack. Pohlack is derived from the word 'Pohle', which means to dig a hole. It could have been an occupational name used to refer to a ditch-digger or a miner.
The corresponding Dutch form is Pohlack, and it is also related to the surnames Pole, Pöle, and Poel. These surnames are likely all related to the Old Germanic word 'poll', which means hole or ditch.
In the United States, Pohlack is usually spelled Pohleck. It is more common in the Midwest and in parts of the Northeast. Some American families with this surname may also have roots in German-speaking regions of Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland and the Czech Republic.
In Brazil, Pohlack is usually spelled Pochac. It is a surname of German origin and is more common in the Southern states. Some Brazilian families with this surname can trace their ancestry back to the German-speaking regions of Eastern Europe in the countries of Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.
The Danish form of Pohlack is Pohlack. It is also related to the surnames Påhlck, Pohla, Pohlmecki, and Pöhlck. These Danish surnames can all be traced back to Germany.
Overall, the surname Pohlack is a German name with several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It has spread to several countries around the world and is more prevalent in certain parts of the US, Brazil, and Denmark.
Famous people with the name Pohlack
- Lorenz Pohlack: German actor.
- Cameron Pohlack: retired American professional ice hockey player.
- Jim Pohlack: former American football player.
- Ewald Pohlack: former German Olympic soccer player.
- Karl-Heinz Pohlack: former German football player.
- Kurt Pohlack: former German bobsledder.
- Francis Pohlack: American cinematographer.
- Matthias Pohlack: German physicist.
- Rudolf Pohlack: former German tennis player.
- Ute Pohlack: German freeform poet.
- Steve Pohlack: American baseball player.
- Ulf Pohlack: German actor/film director.
- Susanne Pohlack: German voice actress.
- Mick Pohlack: Australian music artist.
- Johannes Pohlack: German actor.
- Bous Pohlack: former German equestrian.
- Helge Pohlack: German filmmaker.
- Carl Pohlack: German Air Force officer.
- Arthur Pohlack: German professor of mathematics.
- Max Pohlack: former German cyclist.