Surname Havelka - Meaning and Origin

Havelka: What does the surname Havelka mean?

The last name Havelka is of Czech origin, derived from the word “havl” which means “pole or hedge” and the suffix “-ek” which means “small”. Therefore, it would translate to “small pole or hedge”. Historically, the Havelka surname was primarily used in the Hradec Králové region, near the town of Havlíčkův Brod in the Czech Republic.

The Havelka surname first appeared in documents when "Havelius" was noted as a baron in 1637. Around the same time, one Jan Havlik was recorded as a court clerk in 1634. Jan Havlik is an ancestor to all present-day Havelka descendants. In the late 1700s, the growing Havelka population began to move east and south away from the Czech Republic and Czechoslovakia.

A large amount of the Havelka name adapted to the spelling ‘Havelka’ in the early 19th century. By the 1900s, it could be found not only in the Czech Republic but also in Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and across Europe. During the 20th century, the Havelka surname began to spread to the United States and Canada, as many families sought a better life in the west.

Today, the Havelka name is found in many cultures and countries around the world. It has become a tribute to the special customs and culture of the region it originated from, as well as a mark of new customs and cultures across the world.

Havelka: Where does the name Havelka come from?

The last name Havelka is not particularly common today, but is most likely to be found in Central Europe. Havelka is a Czech or Slovak origin name most commonly associated with the region of Moravia in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This region was once part of the ancient Kingdom of Bohemia and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire, leading to the surname’s wide dispersal throughout Central Europe.

It is estimated that there are over 6,000 people with the Havelka name throughout the world. The majority of them can be found in the Czech Republic, but the name is also widespread in Slovakia, Britain, Northern Ireland, Hungary, France, Belgium, Germany, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Australia, the United States, and Canada. In these countries, you may find people sharing the name living in small towns, in large cities, or even in rural areas.

The origin of the surname Havelka could be derived from ‘Havel’, an old Czech word for 'hawk' or from the Czech male personal name 'Havelond'. It is likely that the name was a nickname for a person ‘with hawk-like characteristics’ in the Middle Ages.

Overall, the surname Havelka is most commonly associated with the Czech Republic and Slovakia due to its Moravian origins, but can be found throughout Central Europe and even further.

Variations of the surname Havelka

The surname Havelka is an occupational surname and comes from the word ‘Havel’ which refers to a sicklemaker in parts of Central Europe. The most common variations and spellings of this family name include Habelka, Habelka, Habellka, and Haberka.

There are also less common versions of the family name, such as Havlak, Hazalik, and Havlik. There are also some alternate spellings of Havelka, such as Havelga, Habelga, and Haberga.

Other surnames with the same origin as Havelka include Havlis, Havlichek, Havlas, and Havlek. These are all variations and spellings of the same family name. The spelling can vary depending on the language of origin. For example, in Polish, the spelling is ‘Havlis’, while in Czech, it is ‘Havlíček’.

In addition to these surnames, there are also numerous derivatives of the family name Havelka, such as Havlicek, Havlick, Havlicka, Havlikova, and Havluch. These derivatives may be seen in both Czech and Slovakian language origins.

Havelka can also be an ethnic surname, indicating Eastern European Jewish heritage. In this case, the surname can be found spelled as ‘Chabelsky’, ‘Habelsky’, or ‘Chobelsky’.

In conclusion, the surname Havelka has numerous variants, spellings, and derivatives, including Habelka, Havlak, Haberka, Havlis, Havlichek, and Havlek. It can also be an ethnic surname related to Eastern European Jewish heritage, in which case it can be spelt as ‘Chabelsky’, ‘Habelsky’, or ‘Chobelsky’. The spelling of the family name may vary depending on the language of origin.

Famous people with the name Havelka

• David Havelka: David Havelka is an American documentary filmmaker and visual artist whose work explores the themes of hope, faith, resilience, and human connection. He has directed and produced numerous award-winning documentaries, including Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War and Ruthie & Connie: Every Room in the House.
• Justin Havelka: Justin Havelka is a professional hockey player and coach from the United States. He played collegiately at Minnesota-Duluth and professionally in the ECHL, CHL, and AHL. He currently serves as the goaltending coach for the NHL's Florida Panthers.
• Bill Havelka: Bill Havelka is a former American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Nebraska and professionally in the American Football League. He also served as an assistant coach at Arizona State University and West Virginia University.
• Ray Havelka: Ray Havelka is a former American football player. He played college football at the University of Notre Dame and professionally in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts and Washington Redskins.
• Eric Havelka: Eric Havelka is an American actor and voice actor. He is best known for his roles in films such as Drag Me to Hell and Adventureland. He has also provided voice overs for shows such as The Cleveland Show and Family Guy.
• Jenny Havelka: Jenny Havelka is a pro skater from the United States. She is a 3-time X-Games Skateboard Street gold medalist and a 9-time Gravity Games Skateboard Street champion. She achieved success in the late 90s and early 2000s and was once named the most successful female skater in the world.
• Paul Havelka: Paul Havelka is a professional photographer who focuses on fashion, portraiture, and documentary photography. He is an award-winning photographer whose work has appeared in magazines, galleries, and exhibitions throughout Europe and the United States.
• Kylie Havelka: Kylie Havelka is an Australian actress and singer. She is best known for her roles in the film The Sapphires and the television series The Children's Republic. She is also the lead singer in the soul band Downriver.

Other surnames

HavelHavelandHavelock