Surname Vodak - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'V'
Vodak: What does the surname Vodak mean?
The last name Vodak is a variation of the Czech surname Vodák, which comes from the word vodák, meaning “boatman” or “rower” and is of Slavic origin. It is believed to be mainly associated with the towns of Bohemia and Moravia in the Czech Republic. The use of this surname is mainly limited to these areas, suggesting it had a particular importance during the Middle Ages.
The name could have referred to someone working on the shipping routes, either on the rivers around the area, or as part of merchant ships. It is likely to have been an occupation of some status, as well as indicating the family had wealth and prestige. Equally, the name could have been adopted as a nickname, to signify someone’s skill as a boatman.
The name Vodak is now more widespread than just the Czech Republic, being a popular surname in many different countries, including Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia. This could have come about through family migrations during the 19th and 20th century, as well as marriages to those from other nations.
Today, the name Vodak is still a popular surname, and one which carries the legacy of the original boatmen and those who travelled to new, far-reaching lands.
Order DNA origin analysisVodak: Where does the name Vodak come from?
The last name Vodak is generally considered to be of Czech origin. It was originally an occupational surname derived from the Czech word “voda”, meaning water. The Vodak surname has been found in Czech records dating back to the mid-seventeenth century.
Today, the surname is most common in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, and Serbia. It’s also found in some parts of the United States, where it can be spelled in various ways including Vodacek, Vodak, and Vodicka.
One of the earliest known Vodak immigrants was Jozef Vodak, who arrived in the United States in 1912. He settled in what is now known as the Czech Village in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he worked as a coal miner. Over the years, several branches of the Vodak family have moved out to different parts of the country.
Today, Vodaks can be found living in San Francisco, Dallas, Las Vegas, and other places across America. In addition, some of the members of the Vodak family have spread throughout Europe, including Germany, England, and France.
Overall, the last name Vodak is fairly common today in places mentioned above, although its presence is especially strong in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Its spelling may vary slightly depending on the country.
Variations of the surname Vodak
The surname Vodak has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common spellings are Vodak, Vodacek, and Vodaček. These are all derived from the Czech word ‘voda’, which means water, and are related to the occupation of a water carrier.
A less common variant of Vodak is Vodick. This variant is derived from a diminutive form of the word ‘voda’ and is associated with one who worked in water-related fields, such as a well-digger or irrigator.
Vodick is also the basis for the surnames Vodažil, Vodžák, and Vodža. These surnames indicate an even more specific connection to the water trade, as vodažil means ‘waterman’, vodžák is a diminutive of vodažil, and vodža is a formal term for a water carrier.
Other variations of Vodak are Vodaček and Vodáček. These variants indicate a person who worked with barrels, pails, or wooden storage containers of water. All of these variants are derived from the Czech word ‘voda’ and are indicative of an ancestor who made a living as a water carrier or related water trade.
Famous people with the name Vodak
- Mary Vodak: Visual Artist
- John Vodak: Astronomer
- Janino Vodak: Psychologist
- Victor Vodak: Mathematician
- Ken Vodak: Former Major League Baseball Player
- Steve Vodak: Former NFL Player
- Jeff Vodak: Former NHL Player
- Elie Vodak: Football Player
- Michael Vodak: Olympic Swimmer
- Rado Vodak: Actor