Surname Behounek - Meaning and Origin
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Behounek: What does the surname Behounek mean?
The last name Behounek is an old Czech and Bohemian surname originating from the region of Bohemia - the western two-thirds of the historicalregion of Czechia that lies within the present-day borders of the Czech Republic. It's believed to have been first used by the family of Bohemian landowners, usually of noble origins, who held the manor house of Behounek, located near the cities of Kladrau and Zatec.
The literal meaning of Behounek is derived from the name of the manor house, which translates to something like ‘knoll or hill’. It is speculated to have been named for its physical characteristics, since the manor house stands prominently on a small rise which overlooks nearby villages and farmland.
Over the centuries, individuals with the surname Behounek have moved around Europe, with some descendants eventually residing in the United States and Canada. The surname is still quite prevalent today, although it is not common for it to be used as a first name in contemporary society.
Those with the Behounek surname typically have very strong family ties, as the name is often passed down from generation to generation. Historically, the name signified loyalty and strength, making it a name to be revered. Many swear fidelity and devotion to family ancestry and their ancestral homeland, forever keeping the Behounek name alive and heralding it for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisBehounek: Where does the name Behounek come from?
The last name Behounek is most commonly found in the Czech Republic and regions of neighboring countries in the Eastern/Central Europe region, roughly corresponding to the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In the Czech Republic, the 2009 Census states that the surname was most frequent in South Moravia Region, along with Olomouc Region. The concentration was also quite high in actually Prague, the capital of Czech Republic. Outside of the Czech Republic, it is known to also exist in Slovakia, Germany, and Poland.
Behouněk is considered to be a derived form of a Czech word for a 'shoemaker' and the name reflects the occupation of its earliest bearers. The Czech word 'Behoun' is derived from the German 'Schnaupper', meaning "a little nose".
The Czech Republic is known for having one of the richest cultures and, within the Czech Republic, there is a great regional, linguistic, and cultural diversity. This definitely applies regarding the name Behouněk, too! However, its name is relatively rare in the Anglosphere.
Overall, the last name Behounek is distributed mainly in countries in Eastern/Central Europe but is not super frequent. It is most concentrated in the Czech Republic, especially in South Moravia and Olomouc Regions, but is also known to have spread to have spread to Slovakia, Germany and Poland.
Variations of the surname Behounek
Behounek is an uncommon surname of Czech origin. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Behounek vary depending on the person's region or country of origin.
Variants of the surname · Behounek can also be spelled Behounk, Behounek, Behounek, and Behouneck.
In some regions, the surname is also spelt and pronounced as Bahuneck or Behounec.
In some cases, the surname is spelt as Bahu, which is the Slavic version of the name.
A less common spelling variant of the surname is Behonik, which is common in Slovakia.
The surname is also seen in other places as Behunek, Behunak, Behuna, Behunec, Behunič, Behunsky, and Behuncek.
In other countries, there are also alternate spellings and surnames of the same origin such as Behaune, Behawn, Behawne, Behawny, Behawno, and Bihan.
In some instances, the surname is seen as Behounekova, which is the feminine version of the surname.
In other cases, the surname is also given as Behouneková or Behouneková when used by female members of the family.
These alternate surnames, variants, and spellings help to distinguish the individuals with the same surname depending on their place of origin.
Famous people with the name Behounek
- Joe Behounek: Former Major League Baseball Outfielder for the Cleveland Indians (1986-1987)
- Steven Behounek: Professional sportscaster and host of Chicago's ESPN radio station
- Taylor Behounek: actress, best known for her roles on the soap operas “As the World Turns” (1999-2000) and “Passions” (2001-2007)
- William Behounek: American historian of Czech-German descent, author of two books on the history of the Czech Republic
- Jack Behounek: Canadian professional lacrosse player
- Sue Behounek: R&B singer and songwriter
- Kenneth Behounek: American television and film actor
- Mary Behounek: American middle distance runner and Olympic medalist
- Peter Behounek: Czech film actor and director, best known for his debut arthouse feature film “The Traveling Apple” (2009)
- Edward Behounek: Polish-American World War II veteran and political activist