Surname Maischak - Meaning and Origin
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Maischak: What does the surname Maischak mean?
The last name Maischak is derived from the German word "mäschig," which means chirpy or lively. The Coat of Arms associated with this name displays a half-moon shape with a small bird inside, denoting the "cheerful" nature of the name.
The Maischaks are believed to have originated in Germany, and a number of different spelling variations are present as a result of changing language and cultures over the centuries. Common variations of the name in spelling include Maischok, Maischoek, Maaschak, Maschak, Maischaek, and Meschak.
The Maischaks are likely descended from two ancient Germanic tribes, the Bavarians and the Franken (or Franks). This would have been during the time of Charlemagne, in the 8th century AD. These tribes were known to be a passionate and lively people, so the chirpy connotations of the name seem to be appropriate.
Modern Maischaks are found in large numbers all over Europe, but especially in Germany and the Netherlands. Maischak is still a popular surnames in Germany today and even rank in the top 2000.
Though the origin of the name is not entirely known, it is likely associated with the proud, cheerful, and lively nature of the ancient Germanic peoples.
Order DNA origin analysisMaischak: Where does the name Maischak come from?
Maischak is a surname that is found most commonly in the United States, with the highest concentration of Maischaks living in Pennsylvania. The name is German in origin. It is also common in several Central and Eastern European countries, including Germany, Slovakia, and Poland.
The earliest records of the Maischak surname date back to the late 16th century in what is now Poland. During this time, the family was primarily based in small farming villages. The surname was likely derived from the German word “maisch,” which means “grain” or “grain measuring unit.” The Maischak family likely had an early connection to grain production.
In the 17th century, some of the Maischaks migrated to the United States. They primarily settled in Pennsylvania, with significant numbers also living in North Carolina, Maryland and several other states. Today, the Maischak surname is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania. It is also quite common in Germany, Slovakia, and Poland.
Variations of the surname Maischak
The surname Maischak has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common one is Maischak itself, which is a German surname originating from the Middle High German word "maiscanc", which means "hay/straw stacker". The variants and spellings of this name include Maischenk, Maischenck, Maischenkauff, Maischank, Meischek, Maischkauff, Meischenk, Meixchenk, Maisschenck and Michalkow.
In many cases, the same surname is also seen with different spellings in different countries. For example, Maischak is used in Germany, Austria and other German-speaking countries, whereas Meixchenk and Maisschenck are used in Scotland and Ireland. Some of the other spellings are used in Poland and other Slavic countries, such as Maischank and Michalkow.
Apart from the different spellings, there are also other surnames that come from the same root but have subsequent changes in spelling. Some of these variants include Meissner, Mezger, Maisburger and Maisel. These surnames are related to the German noun "Meister", which means master or one who has achieved mastery in craft or profession.
In some cases, surnames related to Maischak have even extended to further alterations of the original spelling. For example, some people have used the spelling Mayschak, which is a combination of Maischak and the German word "mai", meaning May. This was most likely done to signify spring, a time of renewal and refreshment.
The surname Maischak is a multinational surname, with variants found in different countries and cultures. Although its exact origin and the many changes in spelling can be difficult to trace, the names are all related and come from the same root.
Famous people with the name Maischak
- Hannah Maischak: American history professor, known for her social media presence throughout the 2016 presidential election.
- John Maischak: 19th-century German Lutheran pastor and hymnist.
- Jacob Maischak: 19th-century German-American Lutheran theologian.
- Alex Maischak: German historian and professor of Early Modern History at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.
- Johann Maischak: German dermatologist who studied under Professor Ferdinand Hebra.
- Alice Maischak: 19th-century Irish doctor and medical writer.
- Karsten Maischak: Emeritus professor of German studies at UC Berkeley
- Ketil Maischak: Norweigan poet, author, and Eisner-nominated comic book artist.
- Nicholai Maischak: Polish-born ecclesiastical lawyer who has served the Archbishopric of St. Petersburg since 1820.
- Bernhard Maischak: German professor of Medieval History and Neo-Latin Philology at the University of Cologne and author of several books on Late Medieval history.