Surname Prokopec - Meaning and Origin
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Prokopec: What does the surname Prokopec mean?
The last name Prokopec is derived from Czech origin and is most commonly found throughout Europe. Its literal meaning is “one who works hard” or “worker of progress”. It’s believed that the name is derived from “prokop”, an old Czech word meaning “working hard” or “struggling”.
The ancestors of those who carry the Prokopec name likely lived a lifestyle that involved a great deal of labor, as the name implies. It may refer to someone who worked hard to make something or progress in some way. The name may also indicate that the bearer has strongly held beliefs or acts in a determined and/or persistent manner.
The name is a fairly common one and is carried by several professions, such as writers, artists, and entrepreneurs. In some places, Prokopec can also be seen as a surname prior to its arrival in Europe.
Prokopec is associated with a history of strength and dedication, and may signify hard work and ambition. It can be a great source of pride for those who carry the name and serve as a reminder of their ancestors’ commitment and strength. Those with the last name Prokopec can get a sense of their International roots and the profound legacy of perseverance that their name carries.
Order DNA origin analysisProkopec: Where does the name Prokopec come from?
The last name Prokopec is a relatively uncommon last name, with the most common living areas of those who possess the surname being Central and Eastern Europe. In Slovenia, the surname Prokopec is the most common, where the 2002 Census revealed that almost 2,400 people were recorded as having that name. In Croatia, the surname is also quite common, where more than about 1,000 people hold the surname according to the 2011 population census. There is also a minor occurrence of the last name in Poland, with 350-400 people currently sharing the surname. Smaller numbers of populations who have the surname can also be found in places such as Slovakia, Italy, and the United States.
In the United States, the surname is recorded as having been present since 1900. The 2000 Census revealed that about 800 people held the surname, with a large proportion being located in the Midwestern states of Texas, Iowa, and Illinois. In the UK, there are currently a reported 54 people with the surname present as of 2021.
Overall, most people who have the last name Prokopec reside in Central and Eastern Europe, with the most common population being found in Slovenia. Smaller populations can be found in the US, the UK, Italy, Croatia, and Poland.
Variations of the surname Prokopec
Prokopec is an uncommon surname believed tooriginate from Central and Eastern Europe. It is derived from the Slavic term 'procopius', which means successful or conqueror. The variations of this surname include Prokep, Prokopeck, Prokopec, Prokopetz, Prokopie, Prokopowitsch, Prokopowicz, Prokopiec, Prokopecz, Prokopchyk, Prokopchuk, Prokopovitch, Prokopovics, Prokopovitch, Prokop and Prokoph.
In Czech, Prokopec is originally derived from Czech words meaning 'prok', meaning 'flower', and 'pek', meaning 'to bake'. The Croatian word 'prokopid' means 'victorious over everything' and is believed to have contributed to the surname as well.
It is thought that the first Prokopecs to settle in what is now the United States were Serbian immigrants who arrived in the late 1800s; they likely came from Croatia, Bosnia, and Slovenia.
Prokopec can be found as a surname in countries such as Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia and other countries belonging to the former Yugoslavia. Spelling variations include Procop, Prokop, Prokopegich, Prokopovich, Prokopowitz, Prokopeck, Prokoptsch, Prokopie, Prokopiea, Prokopijevich, Prokopievic and Prokopecz.
Overall, Prokopec is an uncommon surname with variations across different countries in Europe, and likely across the United States as well.
Famous people with the name Prokopec
- Ed Prokopec: American college basketball coach who has led at both the collegiate and professional level.
- Marko Prokopec: Croatian footballer who plays for NK Slaven Belupo.
- Ana Prokopec: Serbian model and fashion designer.
- Aleksandar Prokopec: Serbian basketball coach who led the former Yugoslavian team at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
- Sonja Prokopec: Serbian film director and screenwriter best known for her film Ples v dežju (2007).
- Chris Prokopec: American Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Colorado Rockies.
- Joko Prokopec: Croatian retired professional footballer.
- Gorazd Prokopec: Slovenian adventurer and explorer.
- Irma Prokopec: Croatian table tennis player.
- Mladen Prokopec: Croatian painter and illustrator.