Surname Pollak - Meaning and Origin
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Pollak: What does the surname Pollak mean?
The last name Pollak is of Jewish origin and is most commonly found in the lands of central and eastern Europe. The surname originates in the Yiddish word "pollak", which means "little" or "small". The name suggests that the bearer of the name likely came from a small Jewish family or had a small stature.
In the medieval period, a person's last name served as an identifier for their occupation or business. In this case, Pollak could have been used to denote someone who worked with small trading goods or was a peddler. Alternatively, it may have been used to denote nobility within the Jewish community.
The Pollak family name can been found within Jewish communities that settled in various parts of the world. There are records of individuals with the name Pollak in Germany, Austria, Hungary, the United States, South Africa, Australia and even in Israel. Immigrants who carried the Pollak name to foreign shores were looking for better opportunities and the prospect of religious freedom away from the restrictions that existed in their homeland.
Although the surnames can be used to trace family members and the migratory paths of past generations, it can also provide some insight into the represent individual character traits. Those with the last name Pollak have likely inherited the trait of being small in stature, but big in ambition. They are likely hardworking and driven individuals who are determined and diligent in pursuing their goals.
Order DNA origin analysisPollak: Where does the name Pollak come from?
The last name Pollak is most common today in Central and Eastern Europe, especially in Austria, Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. In Austria, the Pollak name is one of the top forty most common last names. In Hungary, it is one of the top two hundred most common last names. In Germany, it is fairly uncommon, but is still one of the top nine hundred most common surnames. In the Czech Republic, Pollak is also one of the top nine hundred most common surnames.
The Pollak name is not as common in the United States, where it is only one of the top seventy-five thousand most common surnames. The Pollak name is actually quite rare in the UK and Ireland, which is why it does not even appear in the top one hundred thousand most common surnames.
Outside of Europe, the last name Pollak is found in Israel, Australia, and Canada, where it is one of the top one hundred thousand most common surnames. The highest concentration of Pollaks is in Australia, where it is one of the top fifteen thousand most common surnames.
The Pollak last name has a variety of spellings, including Pollack, Pollok, Pollick, Pollokovich, Polack, and Polackovitch. It is likely derived from the German nickname "Pollak" or "Pollack," which means "little Polish man" or "Polish speaker."
Variations of the surname Pollak
The surname Pollak is a diminutive of the surname Pollack, which is derived from the Polish word “Polak,” meaning “Polish person.” The name can be found in other variations, including Pollack, Polec, Pollock, Polick, and Polska, all of which stem from the same origin.
Spelling variants of the surname vary depending on the language and location of the origin. In some European countries, the name appears spelled with an extra “c” and with both consonants combined (Pollack or Polec). This spelling variation was adopted by English-speaking countries in the 19th century.
The name can also be transliterated into different languages, such as German, in which the name is spelled “Pollak.” This version of the name is primarily used in the United States and Canada, as well as in Europe.
The surname Pollack is typically found with a variety of other surnames of similar origin, such as Polikowsky, Poliks, Poliske, Polski, and Polichor, among others. These surnames often originate in Eastern Europe, although some families with the Pollack surname can be found in other countries around the world.
The surname Pollak is also found among different Jewish families, which typically spell the name in an Ashkenazi spelling as “Pollik.” This variant is especially popular in countries such as Israel, Poland, Russia, and other countries in Eastern Europe with a large Jewish population.
The variant spelling “Polleck” has also been documented in both Europe and the United States and can be used as an alternative to the more common spellings.
Overall, the surname Pollak is a variant of Pollack, and these two names are derived from the same origin. Variations of the name include Pollack, Polec, Pollock, Polick, Polska, Polikowsky, Poliks, Poliske, Polski, Polichor, and Pollik, among others.
Famous people with the name Pollak
- Kevin Pollak: American comedian, actor, voice actor and podcast host.
- Kenny Pollak: Founding partner and CFO of NYC-based Media Group, a tax and accounting firm.
- Bernie Pollak: Canadian businessman, philanthropist, mentor and angel investor.
- Jonathan Pollak: Israeli activist and former spokesperson for Anarchists Against the Wall.
- Rob Pollak: Former MLB pitcher.
- Richard Pollak: American author and investigative journalist.
- Rusty Pollak: American business executive.
- Lisa Pollak: Poet, literary nonfiction writer and professor.
- Steve Pollak: American singer-songwriter, actor, and record producer.
- Steve Pollak: American software engineer, technologist, and entrepreneur.