Surname Prokosch - Meaning and Origin
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Prokosch: What does the surname Prokosch mean?
The surname Prokosch is of German origin and it means “coming from Prokeim”. It is an ancient surname from the region around Frankfurt in Germany. The first known instance of the name is documented in 1112 in an estate register in Frankfurt.
The Prokosch family was among the early Saxon settlers of Germany. During the Middle Ages, the family served as court servants of the Archbishop of Mainz and of the Landgrave of Hesse. As service providers, they held important roles in the royal courts and as knights of the Holy Roman Empire. They were also known as leading merchants and their influence spread throughout central Europe.
Over the centuries, the Prokosch family greatly expanded their reach to different parts of Europe and then into the Americas. In the 18th century, they became pioneers in the United States and helped establish colonies in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Many members of this family were instrumental to the expansion of the US, particularly in regards to early trade and commerce.
Today, many Americans of European descent bear the last name Prokosch, serving as a reminder of this proud family's legacy. From humble beginnings in 12th-century Germany, the Prokosch family has evolved and become a part of the American story.
Order DNA origin analysisProkosch: Where does the name Prokosch come from?
The last name Prokosch is a relatively uncommon name today, and can mainly be found in North America, Europe, and Australia.
In North America, Prokosch is found mainly in the United States, specifically in the states of California, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. There is also a presence in the states of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. The highest concentration of people named Prokosch in the United States is located in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In Europe, Prokosch can be found in Austria, Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The highest concentration of people with the name Prokosch may be in the city of Frankfurt, Germany.
In Australia, Prokosch is found mainly in the states of Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales. The highest concentration of the name can be found in the city of Brisbane, Queensland.
Prokosch is a relatively rare name, and as such it is hard to pinpoint exact locations of high concentrations. However, based on the information above it is clear that the name is mainly concentrated in the United States, Europe, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Prokosch
The surname Prokosch has a few variants and surnames of the same origin. Prokosch, Prokosh, Prokoshko, Proko, Prokoshev, as well as Prokoshch, Prokoshchuk and Prokoshchenko, all fall into this category.
Prokosch is a patronymic surname, meaning "son of Prokosh," which is thought to be the personal name Prokoshka, derived from prok (an old and outdated word meaning "tip" or "point"). Therefore, Prokosch likely originated in Poland, likely as a marker of endearment for a small or pointed nose or chin.
The surname has a number of spelling variations, including Prokosh, Prokoshko, Proko and Prokoshev. It is likely that these variants became more popular as the language in the region changed over the years.
Other versions of the surname Prokosch include Prokoshch and Prokoshchuk, both of which are more common in Eastern European countries such as Ukraine and Russia, and likely originated due to cultural influences from those countries. Prokoshchenko is also similar to Prokosch, but this spelling is considered more archaic and likely evolved from an oral source, such as a folktale.
Overall, the surname Prokosch has a number of variants and surnames derived from the same original root word. Its variants vary depending on the region it originated from, with some having become obsolete due to cultural influences over time.
Famous people with the name Prokosch
- Frank Prokosch: American World War II fighter pilot
- Matt Prokosch: American football coach
- Marc Prokosch: American actor in films such as Empire of the Sun, The Bonfire of the Vanities, and Spider
- Emil Prokosch: Austrian-American writer, diplomat, and dramatist
- Curt Prokosch: Austrian-German shot putter who competed at the 1948 summer Olympics
- Theodore Prokosch: American philanthropist and businessman
- Roy Prokosch: Canadian actor, musician, and songwriter
- Jeffrey Prokosch: American TV producer, writer, director, and game show host
- William Prokosch: American lawyer and politician
- Scott Prokosch: American attorney and former mayor of Troy, Michigan