Surname Kozelek - Meaning and Origin

Kozelek: What does the surname Kozelek mean?

The last name Kozelek is a Czech and Slavic surname. It is derived from the word “koza” meaning “goat”, likely referring to an ancestor who raised goats. It can also be translated to mean “goat keeper”. Other forms of the surname exist, such as Kozel, Kozłowiec, Kožel, and Kosiarz.

The surname originated in the Czech Republic. In the early 1600s, the Kozelek family was located in Moravia. Their family tree can be traced back to the 15th century. Some Kozeleks made their way to the United States as early as the mid-1800s.

The Kozelek surname can be found throughout the world today. It is especially common in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland, though other countries have Kozeleks in their population as well. Kozeleks in the United States are all connected through the same last name.

Kozelek is a unique and special surname. Its meaning is rooted in the culture and history of the Czech Republic. For those with the surname, it serves as a connection to their past and their ancestors.

Kozelek: Where does the name Kozelek come from?

The surname Kozelek is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe. It is distributed most heavily in the Czech Republic, where it is the 33rd most common last name. Other countries with high concentrations of this surname include Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine.

In Poland the surname is composed of two parts, Koz and Elek. “Koz” could be derived from the old Persian “kaz” meaning “goat” which was in use in the region during the Middle Ages. The second part “Elek” could be derived from the Hungarian word “elek” meaning “magistrate” or “chieftain”, implying a person of noble status.

In the Czech Republic, the surname has a slightly different origin. The first part “Koz” comes from the Czech word “koza” which means “goat” or “kid”. The second part “elek” could come from the old Slavic word “loz ”which would mean something like “people-ruler” or “part of a bigger community”, implying someone with a strong and influential position.

These are the most likely origins for the Kozelek surname, though of course without more research it’s impossible to be certain. Its widespread distribution across Central and Eastern Europe is a testament to its long and varied history.

Variations of the surname Kozelek

The surname Kozelek can have various spellings and/or variants on how it is pronounced or spelt. A few examples of these different variants are Kozelec, Kozelec, Kozelak, Kozlake, Kocelek, and Kozielak. These variants most likely differ due to geographical regions of where the surname Kozelek is found.

The surname Kozelek is a Slavic surname mainly found in Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. As a Slavic surname, the ending 'ek' indicates a diminutive form, which can be translated as 'the little' - indicating that the surname may have originated for someone who was the ‘small’ one in the family.

The story behind the surname can often be traced back using the House of Names in Slovakia, which explains its origin and meaning. The surname is associated with the word ‘kozel’, which is the Slovak and Czech word for 'goat' or 'kid', indicating that the family may have some sort of connection with the fleet-footed animal.

Other families have adopted the Kozelek surname during their immigration journey from their homelands to other countries. These families adopted Kozelek–variants in order to represent their own version of the name or because of language barriers.

In conclusion, different variations of the surname Kozelek exist in various spellings and surnames due to different cultures and regions in which it is found. The origin of the name is derived from the word 'kozel', which means either 'goat' or 'kid', representing somebody who is small in his family. It is important to note that some other families have adopted the surname Kozelek during their immigration process.

Famous people with the name Kozelek

• Mark Kozelek: Musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer best known as the frontman of the indie folk act Sun Kil Moon.
• Andrew Kozelek: Former professional baseball pitcher in the Major League Baseball (MLB).
• Paul Kozelek: A multi-time All American division III wrestler and the 1986 NCAA Division III National Champion.
• Rajko Kozelek: Former Slovenian cross-country skier and coach.
• Jonathan Kozelek: American artist, a painter, and jewelry and accessories designer.
• Tomáš Kozelek: Czechoslovakian footballer who was a defender.
• William Kozelek: American professional golfer.
• Richard Kozelek: Professional rock climber, mountaineer, and outdoor business owner.
• Nicolette Kozelek: New Zealand television presenter and actress.
• Jan Kozelek: Former Czechoslovakian handball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Other surnames

KozelKozelka