Surname Vojtanek - Meaning and Origin

Vojtanek: What does the surname Vojtanek mean?

The last name Vojtanek is a Czech and Slovak last name. It is believed to have originated from the old Slavic word “Vojta,” which is a diminutive form of Vojtech, a who was instrumental in the Christianization of Bohemia. The word "Vojta" also means “soldier.” Vojtanek is an occupational surname, referring to war or soldier. It has been used to indicate someone who was a soldier or a professional warrior. Vojtanka is the Swedish variation of this name.

The surname could also be derived from the term “výjitancek,” which is a diminutive of the Czech word “výjitek,” meaning “small exception.” This would indicate that, aside from being a soldier, the bearer of the name was a kind of exception from the norm.

The usage of the name Vojtanek appears to have spread mainly throughout the Czech Republic and the Slovakia. Vojtech Vojtanek was a Czech nobleman and member of the Czech War of Independence in the mid-1800s.

The name Vojtanek is a fitting testament to a soldier, and is honorable in its origins. It is strong and can be linked to many historical figures and stories surrounding the name. It carries with it a proud legacy that spans centuries and cultures.

Vojtanek: Where does the name Vojtanek come from?

The last name Vojtanek is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe, primarily in present day Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland. According to genealogical records, the name is believed to have originated in the Slovak region of Tokaj, near the city of Prešov. It is also common in Croatia and Serbia, and there are scattered records of the name from Hungary, Belarus, and the Ukraine.

In modern Slovakia, the most significant concentration of Vojtanek is in the southeast region, including the towns of Brezovo, Gelnica, and Medzilaborce. In the Czech Republic, it is mainly clustered in the east around the cities of Teplice, Krupka, and Most. In Poland, Vojtanek is most prevalent in and around Gdansk and Bydgoszcz.

Outside of Europe, the name can be found in the United States, Australia, and Canada, primarily among descendants of immigrants from Eastern European countries. Large concentrations exist in several states in the US including New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Illinois, Wisconsin, and California, as well as in Toronto, Canada.

In terms of professions, many Vojtaneks in Europe are farmers, though in the US and Canada they have gone into a variety of professions, from engineering to medicine.

Variations of the surname Vojtanek

The surname Vojtanek is a Czech and Slovak toponymic surname derived from the word ‘vojta’ meaning ‘soldier’. It is common among the Slavic people of Central and Eastern Europe.

The most common variants and alternative spellings of the surname Vojtanek include: Vojtánk, Vojteck, Vojteček, Vojtek, Vojtechek, Vojtečka, Vojtech, Vojtečka, Vojtík, Vojtek, Vojtek, Voitzek, Voitsekh, Voytechek, Voytchek, Voytsekh, Vyttsekh, Vytsekh, and Vytteck.

Variations of the surname Vojtanek can also be found in other Slavic languages, such as the Polish equivalent Wojciechowicz, the Slovak Vojsák, and the Slovene Vojsak.

Surnames derived from the same word ‘vojta’ include Voit, Voitbaek, Voitov, Voitko, Voitovich, Voitus, Voitiz, Voitte, and Voitur.

The surname Vojtanek was likely first adopted during the Middle Ages when families began to adopt family names. It is likely that the original bearer of this surname was a soldier, or descendant of a soldier, and the family adopted the surname to indicate their martial background.

Famous people with the name Vojtanek

• Tomáš Vojtánek: Czech sculptor and draftsmen.
• František Vojtánek: Czech entomologist.
• Johannes Vojtánek: Austrian painter.
• Ondřej Vojtánek: Czech actor.
• Anton Vojtánek: Czech soccer player.
• Eva Vojtáneková: Czech swimmer.
• Karel Vojtánek: Czech lawyer and politician.
• Jakub Vojtánek: Czech actor.
• Petr Vojtánek: Czech cross-country skier.
• Radek Vojtánek: Czech biathlete.

Other surnames

Vojtan