Surname Vojnar - Meaning and Origin
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Vojnar: What does the surname Vojnar mean?
The last name Vojnar is a Czech-Slovak surname, derived from the word ‘vojna’ which means war. This surname is thought to have originated in Moravia during the Middle Ages and is likely to have been given to a warrior, tentatively as a nickname, to describe someone who was skilled in warfare or a fierce fighter.
This surname may have been bestowed upon a person to commemorate their parent or grandparent’s victory in battle. It may have been taken on to commemorate an ancestor’s bravery or as a family identity in honor of a victorious battle.
Throughout history, the Vojnar surname has evolved into a prominent name, spread across a number of countries. Within those countries, bearers of this surname often held prominent positions in society such as soldiers or dignitaries.
Today, the Vojnar surname can be found all throughout the world with people descended from the same ancestor. While the intended meaning of the surname is no longer commonplace, many bearers of the Vojnar name have likely remained true to the spirit of their ancestor's deeds and the significant means by which it came into existence.
Order DNA origin analysisVojnar: Where does the name Vojnar come from?
The last name Vojnar is most commonly found today in Central and Eastern Europe. Slovenia and Croatia have the highest concentration of the Vojnar family name; it is the seventh and tenth most common surname in the respective countries. The name is also found in Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and other countries in the region.
The word Vojnar translates to "warrior" in Serbian, and it is thought that the name originated from the term vojska, which means "army." The earliest recording of the surnames in the region dates back to the 19th century and is related to the charging of tax to landowners. During this time, military prowess was highly valued, and soldiers might receive titles or lands if they were successful in battle. As a result, it is likely that the Vojnar name was adopted to signify an individual's military or noble honors.
Other records suggest the last name could have developed from a topographical location such as Vojnarci, a town in present-day Croatia, or that it could be derived from a personal name; for example, a nickname for Vojin, an earlier name for the male given name Bogumil, meaning "God's love" in Slavic.
Today, the name Vojnar is a powerful representation of one's cultural heritage, including bravery and nobility, and many families throughout Central and Eastern Europe are proud to carry this surname.
Variations of the surname Vojnar
The surname Vojnar can have several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Variants of Vojnar include: Voinar, Vojener, Vojiner, Vojnarer, Voinarer, Vojnarar, and Vojenarr.
In Central Europe, the spelling could be Voinar. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it might also be written as Vojiner. In Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia, the spelling could be either Vojnar or Voinarer. In Germany, the spelling Vojnarar or Vojenarr could be used.
Surnames related to Vojnar include: Voynar, Woynar, Vojnář, Vojnaer, Vojnářová, Vojnaarová, Vojenarski, and Voinarski. Vojnář and Vojnaer are primarily found in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Vojnářová is a variant of Vojnář. Vojnaarová is a feminine form of Vojnarar. Vojenarski and Voinarski are Serbian surname variants of Vojnar.
The use of these variants and related surnames depend on the area and region. For instance, the spelling of Vojnar might not be used in other parts of the world. Furthermore, some variants and related surnames are rarely used. Therefore, it is important to understand the origin of the surname Vojnar and its various spellings and related surnames.
Famous people with the name Vojnar
- John Vojnar: averaged 20 points per game playing college basketball at Canisius College.
- Bill Vojnar: a voice actor from Connecticut who is known for his roles in cartoons such as Archer and Johnny Test.
- Bob Vojnar: a retired professional ice hockey player who played in both the National Hockey League and American Hockey League.
- Betty Vojnar: a famous Austrian vocalist and actor, known for her performances in operas all over the world.
- Dick Vojnar: a pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1968 to 1971, most remembered for his successful debut with the Chicago Cubs.
- Bob Vojnar II: an American soccer player who played in the Major Indoor Soccer League and North American Soccer League.
- Mark Vojnar: a professional tennis player who competed on the ATP Tour from 1978 to 1989.
- Joe Vojnar: an international bobsleigh champion who represented the United States in the 1936 Winter Olympics.