Surname Downar - Meaning and Origin

Downar: What does the surname Downar mean?

The last name Downar is of Slavic origin, derived from the personal name Downar, which is a shortened form of the name Andronik. This name is derived from the Greek elements "andr" meaning "man" and "nike" meaning "victory". The surname Downar is likely to have originated from a Slavic description of an individual as a victorious man.

Downar is believed to refer to a strong or powerful man, or a man who was victorious in battle. This could also refer to someone who held a respected position in the community, such as a leader. The name is known to be a born name, as it was often passed down through generations without being changed.

The surname Downar is carried by only a few hundred people throughout the world, with most living in Eastern Europe. It is thought to have originated in Poland, where the name is still found today.

The name has had various spellings over time, including Downar, Dovnar, Dovnarich, Donar, Dawnar, and Dowar. Over time, the name has become more commonly spelled Downar. Today, the name Downar is used by people of multiple nationalities and ethnicities, and may represent people of diverse backgrounds.

Downar: Where does the name Downar come from?

The last name Downar is of Slavic origin, and is a toponymic surname, which means it is derived from a place name. It is most commonly seen today in Europe, particularly in Poland, and is found in records as far back as the 13th century.

In modern times, however, the last name Downar has spread further afield. It is found in the United States, Canada, and Australia, as well as other parts of Europe, including Sweden, Finland, Germany, Austria, and parts of the Czech Republic. This has likely been due to the migration of people from Eastern Europe over the last century.

The last name Downar is also sometimes seen as Dounar, which is the spelling of the name seen in the more Eastern parts of Europe, near Russia. It is also sometimes seen with other spelling variations, including Donar, Downer, Dunar, and so on.

Overall, the last name Downar is quite common today, both in its original Slavic locations, and more recently in other countries. Its spread and popularity is likely due to the large number of people who have migrated over the last century, due to a variety of reasons.

Variations of the surname Downar

The surname Downar or Downariev is a Czech-Slovak noble family name, traceable to an old nobleman, Jan Downar, from the village of Sádek near Kuřim, in Southern Moravia during the sixteenth century. The surname is derived from a nickname given to him in recognition of his profession as a seller of down mattresses.

Downar can also have alternative forms or spellings, based on the regional dialects or cultural influences, such as Downár, Downář, Downaric, Downarczyk, or Dounar.

The surname Downar is associated with several Czech and Slovak family lines, as well as noble families in what is now the Czech Republic. The family of the original Jan Downar spread to other countries in Europe, notably Russia and the Ukraine.

The Downar family surnames are associated with other noble families in Europe, such as the Sackoffs of Russia, the Kulopiston of Hungary and Czerniz of Poland. Similarly, some may find British, Irish, Dutch and French versions of the family name, all of which originated from the same family and which have been influenced by the regional languages of these countries. A few of these variants include Dunar, Dunnard, Downer, Dounar, Dunor, and Donar. These variants may be found in combination with suffixes of various origin, such as ski, owicz, ewicz, and ywicz.

The Downar family also has a close connection with the CZECH NOBLE TITLE of Count Downar. Over the centuries, several Downar family members have received this title in recognition of their notable achievements. It is believed that the authenticity of the title has been passed through the generations, by means of oral tradition and/or genealogical records, and is considered to be an honor of great importance in the family.

Famous people with the name Downar

• Ivan Downar: Slovak-Canadian professor in the Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Department at the University of Alberta
• Jiří Downar: Czechoslovak athlete, gold medalist in 50K Walk at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki
• Hana Downar: Czech filmmaker and screenwriter primarily known for her work in documentaries
• Eva Downar: Slovak sport shooter, competed for Czechoslovakia at the 1972 Summer Olympics
• Jiří Downar-Dušek: Czech doctor, professor, and one of the foremost authorities on internal medicine
• Michael Downar: Slovak mathematician, currently on the faculty at the Institute of Mathematics at the Slovak Academy of Sciences
• Karel Downar: Czech novelist, historian, and Museum curator
• Miloš Downar: Slovak business executive, former President of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute
• Leon Downar: Czech born psychiatrist and psychoanalyst
• Markéta Downar: Czech TV presenter, news anchor and editor for Česká televize

Other surnames

Downarowicz