Surname Poliak - Meaning and Origin
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Poliak: What does the surname Poliak mean?
The last name Poliak is likely to have either Jewish or Slavic origins. It is derived from the Slavic word “pole,” meaning “field” or “plain.” The suffix “iak” is a Polish diminutive that is commonly used as a suffix to create a nickname from a family name. It may also be related to the Yiddish word for “small,” which is “piher.”
In Jewish tradition, the name may originate from the Hebrew term for “son of the black,” which would indicate that the family was descended from a black-haired ancestor. In Polish tradition, the word “Poliak” is derived from the word “Polan,” which means “Polishman.” This suggests that the family originated from Poland.
The name Poliak could also have arisen from a combination of two surnames; for example, the surnames “Pol” and “iak” could have become mashed together to form a new name. Alternatively, it could simply be a nickname given to a person with a specific personality trait; for example, they could have been “pol” (Polish) and “iak” (friendly).
Regardless of the origin, the last name Poliak is linked to its Polish and Jewish roots, and is now commonly found in countries across Europe, the Americas, and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisPoliak: Where does the name Poliak come from?
The last name Poliak is most common in Slavic countries, such as Ukraine, Belarus, Slovakia, and Russia. It is also much more common in Slovakia than in other Slovak-speaking countries.
In Ukraine, 15,573 people have the surname Poliak, making it the 637th most common surname in the country. It is much more common in the west of the country (especially in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast), while in the east it is much less common.
In Belarus, 4,115 people have the surname Poliak, making it the 1,082nd most common surname in the country. It is most common in the north and east of the country, while in the south and west it is much less common.
In Russia, 4,222 people have the surname Poliak, making it the 2,561st most common surname in the country. It is most common in the Russian Far East, while in other parts of the country it is much less common.
In Slovakia, 14,787 people have the surname Poliak, making it the 145th most common surname in the country. It is most common in the central and eastern parts of the country.
Overall, the surname Poliak is most commonly found in Slavic countries, especially in Ukraine, Belarus, and Slovakia.
Variations of the surname Poliak
The surname Poliak has a range of variants, spellings, and surnames all originating from the same root name. Poliak is a Jewish name derived from the Polish language. The most frequent spelling of the name is Poliak, however the following variations may also be encountered: Poliakov, Poliack, Poliakoff, Poliakova, Poliakovsky, Poliakow, French Poliaque, Pollak, Pollack, Polish Pauleak, Poliakksy, and Pollack.
The name Poliak is believed to be an occupational name derived from the word ‘polek’, which means ‘woodworker’ in the Polish language. It is assumed that people with this surname were craftsmen specializing in the use of wood. In some cases, the surname can also be derived from the name Paul, which derives from the Latin name Paulus meaning 'little'.
The surname Poliak can be found in countries across the globe, from the United States and Canada to Eastern Europe. Poliak is a popular Georigian surname and is also common in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Slovakia.
Poliak is an old name, first recorded around the mid-1600s. It is likely to have existed even before then, however in countries with politically turbulent pasts, it can be difficult to trace records further back than a few centuries. With the help of genetic testing and DNA analysis, it is possible to determine whether individuals with this surname share a common ancestor and have a common origin.
Famous people with the name Poliak
- Alexander Poliak: Belarusian actor
- Isac Poliak: Romanian-born Israeli journalist
- Alexander Poliakoff (1880-1958): Russian-French painter
- Sergey Poliakoff (1906-1969): Russian avant-garde artist
- Vadim Poliakov: Russian journalist and television presenter
- Igor Poliakov: Ukrainian-born French journalist and documentarist
- Viviane Poliakoff (1913-2008): Russian-American classical vocalist
- Valeria Poliakova (born 1976): Belarusian singer
- Mark Poliak: American film director
- Alexander Poliakov (1925-2007): Soviet and Russian film director