Surname Zarecki - Meaning and Origin

Zarecki: What does the surname Zarecki mean?

The last name Zarecki is a noble surname of Polish origin. Its earliest known ancestor is a nobleman named Mezystof z Zareckich, mentioned in the Wawel Archives near Krakow in 1544. The surname Zarecki is derived from the word zarek, which could mean a boundary of woods, an inclosure surrounding a home, or some kind of division between territories. This is particularly fascinating due to the fact that many of the nobles and aristocrats of the Zarecki family were actually rulers of various regions in Poland at different times throughout history.

The Zarecki family is known for its many distinguished members, with some attaining prominent positions in both politics and the military. One of the most famous family members is General Leopold Zarecki, a 19th century Polish officer credited with the successful defense of Szczecin during the Russian aggression of 1914.

Today, the surname Zarecki is quite uncommon in Poland and many other countries around the world. Despite this, it is still connected with a sense of immense pride and it is thought to be an indicator of high social standing. The Zarecki name is a reminder of the resilience of Polish nobility throughout the years, and of the family’s illustrious legacy.

Zarecki: Where does the name Zarecki come from?

The last name Zarecki is most common today in Eastern Europe, particularly Poland, the Ukraine, and Belarus. It is also found in Russia and other former Soviet nations, as well as scattered cases in Germany.

The name Zarecki is thought to be of Slavic origin, coming from the word zarecz meaning “from the border.” It is thought to be a toponymic surname derived from the people who lived in a village at the boundaries of a country or region.

The Zarecki family first appear in documents from the 1400s in the Polish Commonwealth. Later on, during the reign of the Austro-Hungarian empire, records of the name were found in modern day Slovakia and Hungary as well.

In the US, the last name Zarecki can primarily be found in states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Michigan, and Illinois. As of the 2000 US Census, the last name Zarecki was the 12,298th most popular last name in the United States, with 5,195 people surnamed Zarecki.

Overall, the last name Zarecki is most popular in Eastern European countries but is also found in scattered cases in the US, Germany, and Austria-Hungary. The name denotes people from the border and most likely originated in a Slavic nation.

Variations of the surname Zarecki

Zarecki is a patronymic surname of Polish origin derived from the nickname Zarek, likely derived from the Slavic name Zarko. The surname can be found spelled in multiple ways, including Zarecky, Zeracki, Zeracky, Zerecky, Zerecki, Zereky, and Zerycki.

In the Eastern European countries, particularly in Poland and Lithuania, the surname is most commonly spelled Zarecki. This spelling is by far the most widespread, with over 20,000 individuals currently living in Poland bearing the surname. It can also be found in various other countries, including Russia, Belarus, Colombia, and the United States.

In other cases, the spelling has been modified to reflect local naming practices or to better fit local phonetics. For example, in German-speaking countries the surname is most commonly spelled Zeracki, Zerecki, or Zereky. Similarly, in Czech and Slovak-speaking countries it is more commonly spelled Zarecky, Zerecky, or Zerycki.

The surname Zarecki has multiple variants in various languages, which remain in use to this day. All variations of the surname share a common origin, and individuals can see their lineage as united by their shared name and heritage.

Famous people with the name Zarecki

• Maciej Zarecki: Polish Paralympic athlete and world record holder in track and field
• Stéphane Zarecki: French tennis coach and former professional player
• Marcin Zarecki: Polish actor, director, and screenwriter
• Dr. Lauren Zarecki: American author, public speaker, and radio show host
• Artur Zarecki: Polish-American writer, producer, and director
• Agnieszka Zarecka: Polish sociologist, historian, and professor
• Jarosław Zarecki: Polish former professional footballer
• Kamil Zarecki: Polish classical and jazz pianist
• Andrzej Zarecki: Polish journalist and news presenter
• Paweł Zarecki: Polish journalist and television presenter

Other surnames

Zarecky