Surname Kohoutek - Meaning and Origin
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Kohoutek: What does the surname Kohoutek mean?
The last name Kohoutek is of Czech origin, and is derived from the Czech words “kohout” meaning “rooster” and “tek” meaning “tail”. This suggests that the original family who bore this last name were descended from someone with a rooster-like trait or characteristics—perhaps they were fierce and courageous, or perhaps they were simply known as people who were not easily intimidated.
The name Kohoutek is also used as a topographic surname, a type of surname derived from a geographic location where the original bearer of the name lived. In this case, the original bearers of the name were likely to have lived by a prominent rooster or bird-shaped formation like a hill, or perhaps near a pond where roosters often gather.
Other variants of the name Kočárek, Koháček and Kohušek can also be found in the Czech Republic. This suggests that the coat of arms may have been quite distinctive for the family, with a rooster or cock symbol as its central figure or motif, and that this crest has likely been passed down through the generations of the family.
Overall, the name Kohoutek is a unique surname most likely originating from an individual in the Czech Republic with a rooster-like characteristic. Its association with a rooster likely symbolizes courage and resilience, and the family's connection to a hometown or area of Czech Republic suggests that it has been part of their identity for many generations.
Order DNA origin analysisKohoutek: Where does the name Kohoutek come from?
The last name Kohoutek is most commonly found in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Germany. It is also sometimes found in other Central and Eastern European countries.
In the Czech Republic, the Kohoutek surname is one of the most common last names, with around 10,000 people bearing the surname. It is especially prominent in Central Bohemia and Moravia. The word Kohoutek is derived from the Czech word for "rooster," hence, it is believed to have been originally given as an occupation-based surname.
In Slovakia, the name is less common, with only about 1,000 bearers of the name. It has its highest concentration in the southeastern part of the country.
In Germany, around 2,500 people have the name Kohoutek. It is most common in the northwestern part of the country.
Given the origin of the name in Germany and Czech Republic, it is likely to be found in other Central and Eastern European countries. It is also possible that people in other parts of the world may have taken on the name after immigrating from these countries, as many immigrants have taken on the names of the places they originally came from.
Variations of the surname Kohoutek
The variants, spellings, and surnames of Kohoutek are varied and depend on the country and language of origin. In many countries, Kohoutek is also spelled Houtek, Houdek, and Houtiek. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Kohoute or Hokoute is another variant. In German, the surname is Koehout.
The surnames Kohaut, Kohautek, and Kohotek are also derived from Kohoutek. In Poland, the surnames were changed to Kohyda or Khoida. The German version of the surname is Koehote and Kohlhout.
In the United States, the surnames Kohoutek and Khoute are sometimes spelled Khoutpak, Khoutek, Khouteck, Khouttz, Khoutz, Khoutze, and Khoudek. In some instances, the original spelling was used and the name was not changed at all.
The phonetic spelling of the surname is why some variations have occurred. Several variations of the same spelling have been created in order to accommodate for the various ways in which the sounds of the letters of the surname can be pronounced.
In the Austrian Empire, the spelling of the surname changed over time. It was initially Koehut, but it was gradually shortened to Kohoute and then to Kohoutek.
In some cases, the spelling of the surname may be completely different, with no trace of the original spelling. This could be due to transliteration of the surname from one language to another. Surname variations could also be due to the influence of local dialects on the language.
Famous people with the name Kohoutek
- Petr Kohoutek: Czech ice hockey defenceman who won the Czech Elite League in twenty different seasons.
- Josef Kohoutek: Czech astronomer who discovered Comet Kohoutek, one of the most famous comets in modern history.
- Ludvík Kohoutek: Czech musician and composer who is best known for his avant-garde compositions for wind instruments.
- Věra Kohoutová: Czech film and TV actress, who has appeared in several Czech films and TV shows.
- Jiří Kohoutek: Czech sports journalist and former footballer, who has written for various Czech newspapers and magazines.
- Jiří Kohout: Czech former ice hockey player who competed in international competitions including the IIHF World Championships.
- Pavel Kohout: Czech former ice hockey player who competed in international ice hockey competitions.
- Jan Kohout: Czech economist and politician who was the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1998 to 2007.
- Tomáš Kohout: Czech actor who is best known for his roles in several Czech films and TV shows.
- Karel Kohout: Czech painter whose artwork has been exhibited in Prague and other cities around the world.