Surname Ladislav - Meaning and Origin
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Ladislav: What does the surname Ladislav mean?
The last name Ladislav is a Czech name that translates to “glorious rule.” This surname was originally derived from the name Ladislaus, a Latin variation of Vladislav, which was brought to the Czech lands in the 11th century. Ladislaus was the dynasty name of a Bohemian dynasty of princes, beginning with their founder Boleslaus the Cruel, and covered the area of modern-day Czech and Slovak Republics.
The meaning of Ladislav is often taken directly from the Latin words ‘laus’ (kudos or glory) and ‘dislavus’ (rule). Thus, the meaning is “glorious rule.” It likely retains a very noble connotation for descendants of aristocratic families, as those families who had held dominion over large parts of the region for centuries were likely to have had many members with this name.
Families with this name may have included those of Bohemian background, Czech, Polish, Russian, and Slovak origins. Additionally, many Jews adopted this name when their own names changed due to forced conversion or emigration to Central Europe.
According to family name databases, Ladislav is seldom used in the United States, however many Polish, Russian, and Czech immigrants bear this surname. It is most common in Slovakia where more than one in 100 bear the name.
Order DNA origin analysisLadislav: Where does the name Ladislav come from?
The last name Ladislav is most commonly found today primarily in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly among Slavic speaking nations. It is most commonly associated with countries like Slovakia, Croatia, Hungary and the Czech Republic, in which it is among the top 50 names nationwide. The name is also frequently found in Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and many other European nations. It is rarer in other countries, although there are small pockets of individuals with Ladislav as a last name in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, and other nations around the globe.
The origin of the name is thought to have originated from the Slavic personal name of Ladislaus, or Vladislav. The meaning of the name is thought to mean "rule with glory" or “rule with fame,” making it a fitting name. The name is usually pronounced ‘LAHD-ih-slahv’ and is today most commonly found as a surname, although it can also occasionally be found as a first name.
Due to its popularity in some regions, the last name Ladislav is a constant reminder of the Slavic and Central European heritage. It brings to mind the turbulent history of the countries from which it originates, and carries a certain sense of pride. Whether as a first or a last name, Ladislav continues to be a colourful reminiscence of our global culture’s past.
Variations of the surname Ladislav
The surname Ladislav is derived from from the Slavic given name Vladislav in countries like Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, and Ukraine. The spelling of the surname may differ in different countries and cultures in which it is found.
The most common variations of the surname Ladislav are :
- Ladislaus (Latin)
- László (Hungarian)
- Vladislav (Russian)
- Vlado, Lado or Vladi (Croatian and Serbian)
- Wladyslaw or Vladislaw (Polish)
- Vladislav (Slovak and Ukrainian)
All of these variants of Ladislav, along with many other spellings, are found in different countries and cultures.
In addition, certain surnames have similar roots or origins as Ladislav. These names include Laszlo, Lazo, Ladas, Vladislavovsky, Vladimirov, Vladimirovich, Volokh, Vlahovich, Vlasak, and Vlasov.
The origin of Ladislav is not strictly confined to a particular culture or country, and the surname is found all over the world. Different cultures and countries may have different versions of this name, but they all have the same root.
Famous people with the name Ladislav
- Ladislav Smoljak: Czech actor, comedian, and screenwriter.
- Ladislav Škorpil: Czech archaeologist and historian.
- Ladislav Pešek: Czech film and stage director.
- Ladislav Žáček: Czech geologist and paleontologist.
- Ladislav Novák: Czech ice hockey player and coach.
- Ladislav Jánsky: Czech football player and manager.
- Ladislav Kuna: Czech Olympic fencer.
- Ladislav Štefula: Ukrainian-Romanian chess master.
- Ladislav Hechtman: Czech sculptor and painter.
- Ladislav Novomeský: Slovenian composer and musicologist.