Surname Hawranek - Meaning and Origin
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Hawranek: What does the surname Hawranek mean?
The last name Hawranek is of Slavic origin and has many variants including Harranek, Hauranek, Hawraneck, Harranick, Hawranik, Haranij and even Horanek. It is derived from the old Polish word “hąrano” meaning “shepherd”, referring to one who tended herds of sheep.
In some instances, the Hawranek surname may be descriptive of an occupation. In Central and Eastern European countries there were many shepherds, and those who bore this surname likely held the responsibility of raising and protecting their animals.
The Hawranek surname is inextricably linked to Poland, where the name is most popularly found. It is likely that at some point during the Polish migrations in the Middle Ages, the Hawranek family left their homeland and spread through countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany and Romania.
The surname Hawranek is not only a reflection of one ancestral family, however. It is one that is shared and carried through generations, a symbol of the strength, courage, and determination of the millions of Poles who left their homeland in search of a better future. This unique surname is the shared legacy of a people who worked hard and refused to let adversity hold them back.
Order DNA origin analysisHawranek: Where does the name Hawranek come from?
The last name Hawranek is most commonly found in the United States today, especially in the midwest. The U.S. Census Bureau has records of over 1,200 people with the last name Hawranek, more than half of which reside in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana.
The Hawranek name can be traced back to the Ruthenian Region of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, which is now present-day Ukraine. It is likely that the ancestor of the Hawranek family first immigrated to the United States in the 1900s to escape religious persecution.
Hawranek is found more commonly in the Midwestern United States due to long-standing, familial ties in the region. Several families have lived in rural communities in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana for generations and have continued to pass the name down.
The Hawranek name is also found in various parts of Eastern Europe, mostly in Poland, Belarus, and Ukraine. There likely isn’t a direct relationship between the American Hawraneks and those from eastern Europe but it is possible that the two are distantly related.
While Hawranek is not a particularly common last name, the Hawranek family legacy lives on through the hundreds of citizens who continue to bear the name across the United States and beyond.
Variations of the surname Hawranek
The surname Hawranek is an uncommon Slavic surname that originated in what is now the Ukraine. It derives from the Old Slavic word “hrawan”, which means “fierce” or “bold”. The current variants of Hawranek include Hauptman, Chawranek, Haveranek, Chawranek, Hravenak, Heranek, Hranek, Chavranek, and Heronak.
The spellings of the surnames vary slightly depending on the country in which the family is from. For example, Haveranek is the German spelling, while Chavranek is the Polish spelling. Additionally, other “-ek” ending variants such as “Heranek” and “Heronak” can also be found in countries such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The surname Hawranek can also be found in other countries, such as the United States and Canada, where immigration of the surname has occurred over the years. In the United States and Canada, variants such as Hauptman and Chawranek are the most common.
Overall, Hawranek is an ancient and uncommon surname that is believed to have originated in Ukraine. It has since spread to many other countries, resulting in multiple variants and spellings of the surname such as Hauptman, Chawranek, Haveranek, Chawranek, Hravenak, Heranek, Hranek, Chavranek, and Heronak.
Famous people with the name Hawranek
- John Hawranek: American actor, best known for his appearances in horror films such as 'The Burning' and 'Hell Night'. He appeared in the NBC sitcom 'The Golden Girls' and voiced the character of J. Jonah Jameson in the 1990s animated series 'Spider-Man'.
- Tom Hawranek: American college basketball coach, who was formerly the head coach of the Milwaukee Panthers and most recently the Wright State Raiders. He is also an established seller and author of books on investing and personal finance.
- Paulus Hawranek: Austrian tug-of-war competitor, who competed at the 1912 Summer Olympics and won a gold medal with the Austrian team.
- Jackie Hawranek: Former professional baseball player who played outfield in the minor leagues from 1963 to 1966. He then returned to his hometown of Fargo, North Dakota to manage a sanitation company.
- Kelli Hawranek: American former figure skater who competed in the 1980 and 1984 Winter Olympics. She also won the bronze medal at the 1984 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
- Jenni Hawranek: Hollywood makeup artist who has worked on various celebrities including Mark Wahlberg, Brad Pitt, and Jennifer Aniston. She is the makeup artist for the series 'American Horror Story.'
- Kristen Hawranek: American country singer and songwriter, who released her debut single "Can't Get Enough You" in 2018. Her hit single "Love Me Right" peaked at number 11 on the US Country Radio Chart.
- Jimmy Hawranek: American professional wrestler who competed in the National Wrestling Alliance and Championship Wrestling from Florida during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was voted "Most Popular Wrestler" in 1972.