Surname Zeretzky - Meaning and Origin
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Zeretzky: What does the surname Zeretzky mean?
The surname Zeretzky is a Jewish surname originally derived from the Yiddish term “zeretze,” which means “currant.” It was commonly used as an occupational nickname for a merchant of currants, and is believed to have originated in Eastern Europe, most likely in Russia. Years ago, Jews were required to take a surname for census and record keeping, and they often chose names that had relevance to their job or occupation.
The Zeretzky surname is found throughout Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and other parts of Eastern Europe. It is also quite common in the United States, where it has been carried by immigrant families. It is estimated that at least 1,500 people in the United States carry the surname, with many living in New York, California, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
Despite its Eastern European roots, the Zeretzky surname has recently spread to other parts of the world. Many Zeretzky families have immigrated to Israel, Canada, Australia, and even Europe. It would appear that the twenty-first century has seen a wave of diasporic migration and, as a result, has further widened the spread of the Zeretzky name.
The Zeretzky surname carries a deep sense of meaning, tradition, and history for those who carry it. It is a reminder of the long-standing Jewish roots in Eastern Europe, and it serves as a reminder of the struggles endured by their ancestors. Today, however, the name stands for family, community, and a common cultural heritage. No matter where they are living, Zeretzky families around the world can take pride in their shared heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisZeretzky: Where does the name Zeretzky come from?
The last name Zeretzky is most common today in Israel and Russia. In Israel, it is a transliteration of the Jewish name Zaretzki or Zaretzky, a Jewish patronymic name deriving from the Polish and Ukrainian "Zaretski", which itself derives from the personal name Zaretski meaning "man from Zaretsk" or "Zarezka," from Zarezky or Zaretsk, towns in the Ukraine and Byelorussia. Spelling variants include Zeretsky, Zaretzky, and Zaretsky.
The name is most common in Israel, where it is the 170th service surname among immigrants, according to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics. It may also be found in Russia, Ukraine, Poland and other areas of the former Soviet Union, where it is likely to be a Jewish name.
In the United States, records indicate the name Zaretsky is most commonly found in California, although it may also be present in other states. According to the 1990 U.S. Census, there were 96 individuals with the surname.
In Canada, the most common location for a Zeretsky family was the province of Quebec, followed by the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. Records indicate there were 68 individuals with the surname in Canada in 2011.
Thus, the last name Zeretsky is commonly found today in Israel, Russia, the United States, and Canada, especially in the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia.
Variations of the surname Zeretzky
The surname Zeretzky is a variant form of the surnames Zaretzky and Zaretzy. The surname has Ashkenazic Jewish origin and is derived from the German surname Zaretzki, a name derived from the Polish word zerzeć, meaning 'to squeal'.
Variants of the surname Zeretzky include Zaretzky, Zaretzy, Zerzeczka, Zersche, Zersha, Zeresch and Zarzeczka. Spellings of the surname may also include Zerzetzky, Zaretzki, Zerzetzky and Zaretzy.
The surname Zeretzi is an alternate Anglicised spellings of the surname Zeretzky. It occurs mostly in North America, where the family immigrated in the late 19th century. Other Anglicized versions of Zeretzky include Zeric, Zerretzki and Zeretzy.
Surnames of the same origin may include Zaretsky, Zaretska, Zaretskyi, Zarecky, Zeracka, Zarecki, Zaretzki, Zaretz, Zarecki, Zaretzky and Zaretski. These variants are all derived from the origins of the name Zeretzky, and the various spellings that over time have emerged.
The surname Zeretzky is not gender-specific, and historically has been used by both males and females. It is still prevalent in countries around the world, including the United States, Germany, Russia, Poland, Israel and 2007 Australia.
Famous people with the name Zeretzky
- Pavel Zeretzkevych (russo-ukrainian architect)
- Sergei Zeretzkij (Russian composer)
- Gleb Zeretzky (Russian actor)
- Eugene Zeretzky (Russian philosopher and theologian)
- Maria Zeretzky (Russian actress)
- Semyon Zeretzky (Russian mineralogist)
- Viktor Zeretzky (Russian circus artist)
- Pavel Zeretzky (Russian mathematician)
- Alexei Zeretzky (Russian actor)
- Fyodor Zeretzky (Russian geologist and stratigrapher)
- Demian Zeretzky (Russian actor)
- Svetlana Zeretzky (Ukrainian ballet dancer)
- Nikolai Zeretzky (Russian violinist)
- Andrei Zeretzky (Russian humorist)
- Pyotr Zeretzky (Russian painter)
- Viktor Zeretzky (Norwegian ambassador)
- Dmitri Zeretzky (Russian chess expert)
- Boris Zeretzky (Russian sculptor)
- Ivan Zeretzky (Russian engineer)
- Olga Zeretzky (Israeli architect)