Surname Ovzarek - Meaning and Origin
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Ovzarek: What does the surname Ovzarek mean?
The last name Ovzarek is a fairly uncommon surname found mainly in parts of Slovakia, as well as in countries within Central and Eastern Europe. It is believed to have originated as a topographic name, derived from the Old Slavic word ‘ovz’ which means ‘mountain peak’. The suffix ‘arek’ is derived from the Slavic ‘or’ meaning ‘mountain’. Therefore, Ovzarek can be loosely translated to mean ‘from or of the mountain peak’.
It is thought that the Ovzarek family may have lived and worked in or around a particular mountain peak, leading to the surname being adopted as a way to identify the individual and their place of origin. Alternatively, it is possible that the name may have come about as a result of an individual who sought refuge at a mountain peak, or those who settled there.
It is likely that the surname developed independently in different countries and regions, with the members of the same family taking on a variety of spellings over time. In Slovakia for example, variants of the name include Ovsarek, Ovzarec, Ovzare and Ozarek.
The surname Ovzarek is still relatively rare but is still found in parts of Slovakia today. Those with the last name are thought to be proud and industrious citizens, with strong traditional family values.
Order DNA origin analysisOvzarek: Where does the name Ovzarek come from?
The last name Ovzarek is mainly found in Central Europe, particularly in the countries of Lithuania, Belarus and the Czech Republic. Records from the 12th century suggest that the name is of Czech/Slovak origin and is derived from the word 'ovec', meaning sheep in Czech. The records also reveal that the family may have taken its name from its original occupation - a sheep farmer.
Today, Ovzarek is a relatively rare surname in comparison to other European surnames, with only a few thousand people having the name worldwide. Within the Czech Republic, the name distribution appears to be quite homogenous, with the highest concentration of people living in the western regions of the country, namely Karlovy Vary Region and Plzeň Region.
Historically, the family appears to have been fairly widespread throughout the Czech lands and Hungary, with historical records showing the presence of Ovzarek families throughout the region. However, the family seems to have decreased in number over the past few centuries, particularly since World War II when much of Central Europe became an area of conflict.
Today, the name Ovzarek is found among the lists of names for those killed in World War II from Lithuania, Belarus and the Czech Republic, indicating the global spread of the surname. Additionally, the surname is found among those who emigrated from Central Europe, particularly to North America.
Overall, the last name Ovzarek is most prevalent today in Central Europe, particularly within the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Belarus. It is also found among those who have emigrated from the Czech Republic and Lithuania to North America.
Variations of the surname Ovzarek
Ovzarek is a surname of Slovak origin, which is derived from the world ‘ovzár’, which translates to ‘shepherd’. The spelling of this surname is often varied, but the most common variant is Alzarek. Other less common variant spellings are Olzarek and Omzarek.
The surnames of this origin are relatively rare, and the variants are generally limited to the above choices. However, some slight variations can be seen. For example, Alzarik, Olzarik, and Omzarik.
Surnames are easily passed down from generation to generation, so it is not uncommon to find alternate spellings depending on the location or even the spelling ability of the individual. There are some regions where the variant ‘Ôvzárek’ is seen.
In addition, some adopted surnames of the same origin are Ozvarka, Ozvárkaj, Ozváregná, Ozvárenka, Ozváregňá, and Ozvárik.
Several different countries have people with the Ovzarek surname, including Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and the United States. The surname is also slightly less common in other places, such as Canada, Venezuela, France, and the United Kingdom.
In summary, Ovzarek is a rare surname of Slovak origin derived from the word ‘ovzár’. Common variant spellings of this surname include Alzarek, Olzarek, and Omzarek. Other slightly less common variants are Alzarik, Olzarik, and Omzarik. Adopted surnames of the same origin are Ozvarka, Ozvárkaj, Ozváregná, Ozvárenka, Ozváregňá, and Ozvárik. The surname is particularly common in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and the United States, and less common in Canada, Venezuela, France, and the United Kingdom.
Famous people with the name Ovzarek
- Alexander Ovzarek: former professional tennis player, active in the 70s, who won several tournaments in singles and doubles
- Ernst Ovzarek: former European featherweight champion, active during the 30s
- Tamara Ovzarek: successful local businesswoman, based in London
- Ludek Ovzarek: privat pilot in Prague, featured in several documentaries
- Julius Ovzarek: former professional soccer player in Austria
- Vratislav Ovzarek: former Member of the Parliament in Czech Republic (1998-2004)
- Milos Ovzarek: renowned ski-jumper who competed in the Winter Olympics in 2006
- Zeljana Ovzarek: renowned prima ballerina, active in several renowned international ballet companies
- Zuzana Ovzarek: former professional volleyball player who won several championships in the 90s 10.Janov Ovzarek: professional cyclist who competed in several European championships in the late 80s and early 90s