Surname Petracek - Meaning and Origin

Petracek: What does the surname Petracek mean?

The last name Petracek is of Slavic origin and is closely associated with countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland. The origin of the name is debated, but is believed to be derived from the old Czech word ‘pestrak’ which translates to mean ‘pale-faced’ or ‘pale-skinned’.

The Petracek name was carried to other countries during the great migrations from the region of Central Europe. Many of those who used this name in their records are believed to have served in the armies of the Hapsburg Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The name Petracek is a common one in Eastern and Central Europe and is also recognized in other parts of the world. While there is some debate about the origin of the surname, it is widely agreed upon that the literal translation of the name refers to people who had a pale complexion. It could also be related to an old Czechoslovak title, ‘pet’, which was a title of nobility in the region.

As is the case with many Eastern European last names, the original spelling and meaning may have been altered over the years, and for many of the individuals who used this surname, adaptation to their new countries of residence brought about variations of the spelling.

Regardless of what the etymology of the last name is, the Petracek name has become a well known family name that has survived generations without being diminished by time or cultural differences.

Petracek: Where does the name Petracek come from?

The last name Petracek is most commonly found in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It is primarily a Czech surname, stemming back to the 13th century when the name was first recorded in the historical manuscripts of Eastern Bohemia. Petracek had been adopted as a common surname in various other Central and Eastern European countries, such as Hungary, Poland, and Russia, among others.

According to a study of historical records in the Czech Republic, Slovakia is the region where the Petracek surname is most common. In fact, nearly 4% of all people living in Slovakia have the surname Petracek. Other areas in the Czech Republic where it is relatively common include Moravia (nearly 3%) and Bohemia (almost 2%).

Outside of Central and Eastern Europe, the Petracek surname is rare and mainly occurs in small minorities within larger immigrant populations from those countries. The United States was the first foreign country to show signs of a noticeable Petracek population, with the earliest immigrants arriving in the early 1890s. This later led to migrants arriving in various parts of Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

In conclusion, the Petracek surname is mainly predominant in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with minority populations in other countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Petracek

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Petracek are Petrak, Petrac, Patracek, and Petrecek.

The Petracek surname is of Czech origin and comes from the personal name Petro, which is a diminutive of Peter. It is derived from the Greek name Petros, which means "rock" or "stone," symbolizing strength and stability. This name was popular among early Christians and was assigned to twelve apostles in the New Testament.

The Petracek surname is also a patronymic, which means "son of Petro." Petriska is a variant of Petracek, which is a feminine form. Petrecek is a spelling variant of the name, and Patracek is a combination of the personal name Petro and the suffix -acek, which can mean “little,” “diminutive,” “younger,” or “son of Petro.” Petracek is the name's original form, while Petrak is a spelling variant that was popularized by immigration to America.

Since the 17th century, many people with the surname Petracek have come to the United States, with the majority of them settling in Pennsylvania, New York, and Illinois. The Petracek surname can also be found in Slovakia, Poland, Austria, Hungary, and Ukraine.

Variations of the Petracek surname, such as Petrak, Petrac, Petriska, Petrecek, and Patracek, are all derived from the same source. Today, those variations can still be found in many countries around the world.

Famous people with the name Petracek

• 1. David Petracek, Canadian Paralympic athlete 2. Sean Petracek, Professional Rugby Player and Coach 3. Edward Petracek, United States Army general 4. Paul Petracek, Environmental Activist and Earth Scientist 5. Donna Petracek, Author of “Food Allergy Survival Guide” 6. Tom Petracek, Former Writer for the Chicago Sun Times 7. Steve Petracek, Actor and Voice Artist 8. Marla Petracek, Costumer and Prop Designer 9. Jeff Petracek, Music Producer and Engineer
• Jan Petracek, Lead Technical Evangelist at Microsoft
• Dave Petracek, Professional Musician
• Paul Petracek, Museum Director and Founder
• Ivan Petracek, Former Czech Prime Minister
• Thomas Petracek, Entrepreneur and Computer Network Professional
• Milos Petracek, Olympic Silver Medalist in Cross Country Skiing
• Joe Petracek, NFL Coach
• Leon Petracek, Chess Grandmaster

Other surnames

Petraczek