Surname Hlawac - Meaning and Origin

Hlawac: What does the surname Hlawac mean?

The last name Hlawac is of Czech origin and it is derived from the word “hlawat”, which means ‘oxen’ or ‘cattle’. This suggests that at some point in the past, the Hlawac family were likely engaged in animal husbandry, and could possibly have been a rural family primarily engaged in livestock-farming.

Given the size and scope of the Czech lands as well as the emphasis placed on farming throughout the country’s history, there is a strong possibility that the Hlawac family could have lived for many generations in one of the many villages, or hamlets, that dotted the landscape over the years.

Being of Czech descent, the Hlawac family could very likely have held a strong affinity for their heritage, resulting in them embracing and promoting its culture, traditions, and values in their everyday lives. This could be seen in the deep-rooted religious heritage shared by many of the inhabitants of the region, one that is still evoked by many people today and is reflected in the country’s annual festivals and celebrations.

Finally, the origin of the Hlawac family name could be seen as a reminder of their humble and hardworking past, with its use today likely still carrying some of that same sentiment and strong work ethic from generation to generation.

Hlawac: Where does the name Hlawac come from?

The last name Hlawac is most commonly found in East Central Europe, particularly in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and Romania. It is thought to be of Slovakian origin, and to have originated in a region known as Spis County, located in what is now Slovakia. The name was then spread to other Slavic nations through migration and intermarriage over the centuries.

The surname has numerous spelling variations, and its root is believed to derive from the words “hlava” or “hlavka”, which translates to "head" or “foreman”. This is thought to suggest that the original bearer of the Hlawac surname was a leader or manager of some kind. The surname is not particularly common today, but is still to be found in the aforementioned East European countries, as well as in smaller numbers in the United States and other parts of the world.

Though not as widespread today, the Hlawac surname will always carry with it the proud heritage of its forebears, and the stories that have come down through the generations.

Variations of the surname Hlawac

The surname Hlawac is derived from the Old German name Hlawag, which can have several variants, spellings, and other forms of surnames with the same origin.

The most commonly seen form of the name is Hlawac, but other variations may also be encountered, including Hlawach, Hlawack, Hlawak, and Hlawacki. The spelling of some of these variants may also vary, as Hlawag and Hlaweg are also seen.

Other surnames derived from Hlawag include Hlawka, Hlowag, Hlowack, Hlowacki, and Hlowak. Similarly, some of these other spellings may also be encountered, such as Hlowka, Hlauag, Hlauack, and Hlauak.

Still other forms may be encountered, depending on a person's regional or national origin. In Poland specifically, some may also see Hlawka, Hlawki, and Hlawka. In Ukraine, the surnames Hlavka, Hlavko, and Hlavko may also be encountered.

In some cases, the changes in spelling are a result of phonetic spelling of the name. For example, Hlawka may be derived from Hlawag by the dropping of the “g” sound and the duplication of the “a” sound.

Finally, some surnames may include affixes or suffixes, such as -ski, -wicz, or -owy. Thus, Hlawacki and Hlawackowicz may both be related to Hlawag, while Hlowackowski may be related to Hlowak.

In all, there are a myriad of variants, spellings, and other surnames connected with the Old German name Hlawag. Depending on a person's regional or national origin, different spellings and surnames may be encountered, each derived from the same source.

Famous people with the name Hlawac

• Pat Hlawacz: is a professional volleyball player from the United States who currently plays for the Russian Professional Volleyball League team, Lokomotiv Novosibirsk.
• John Hlawacz: is a New York-based multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter and comedian. He also plays guitar and bass in the comedy-punk band Upgrade.
• Karl Hlawacz: is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Buffalo Bills from 1975 to 1977.
• Robert Hlawacz: is an American NASCAR racer who has won several Cup Series and Busch Series races over the years.
• Katie Hlawacz: is a model, activist and environmentalist with a focus on marine conservation. She works with several nonprofits and foundations, and is currently an ambassador for places like the World Ocean Network.
• Jeffrey Hlawacz: is a former American football defensive end and linebacker for the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. He also briefly coached the defensive line at Boise State University.
• Mandy Hlawacz: is a Canadian film and television actress known for her roles in Smallville, Supernatural, and V. She also stars in the miniseries The Handmaid's Tale.
• Edward Hlawacz: is a World War II veteran who was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in 1945. He was also one of the oldest living veterans at the time of his passing in 2011.
• Keith Hlawacz: is a professional golfer and winner of the 1983 PGA Tour Puerto Rico Open. He is currently an executive director of Civitas Research Institute and owner of the Kenny International Golf Academy.
• Lucy Hlawacz: is a former fashion model who has worked with some of the world’s most renowned designers. She has also acted as a coach in runway and print modeling throughout her career.

Other surnames

HlawaHlawacekHlawaczekHlawatschHlawatscheckHlawatschekHlawatschke