Surname Matyasek - Meaning and Origin
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Matyasek: What does the surname Matyasek mean?
The last name Matyasek is of Czech origin, derived from the Czech word "matyášek" meaning "son of Matyas". The origin of this name is likely related to the Old Testament character and Christian saint, Matthew or Matyas. The name is fairly widespread throughout Central Europe and is shared by many people today.
Originally, Matyasek was a patronymic name, meaning it was derived from the given name of a father, which in this case was Matyas. This name was likely given to children as an affectionate nickname, but over time it evolved into an official surname. As people moved throughout Europe, the name began to spread throughout the continent, eventually finding its way to various parts of the world, including the United States.
In modern times, the last name Matyasek is most commonly associated with people of Czech descent, but may also be found among other populations. It is a reminder of an individual's lineage, and in some cases, a family crest can contain the coat of arms of Matyasek, as many of those bearing this name have distinguished themselves and their heritage.
Given its Czech origin, Matyasek is a truly remarkable name that embodies the spirit of the Czech Republic. It is inextricably linked to a proud and strong nation, and to those who proudly and nobly carry it.
Order DNA origin analysisMatyasek: Where does the name Matyasek come from?
The last name Matyasek is most commonly found today in central and eastern Europe, particularly in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The name appeared in records as early as the 14th century as Matyasek, a diminutive form of the forename Matyas or the related names Matthias and Matthew. It is a habitational name derived from any of several places named Matyášek in the Czech Republic.
The Matyášek locations are found in various Czech regions including Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. Matyášek villages are also located in Slovakia. There is a small mountain peak in the Krkonose mountains of northern Czech Republic called Matyasek which is thought to be the origin of the surname.
During the early 19th century, as a result of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, individuals from these two regions were exposed to an increasingly nationalist sense of identity which may have impacted the Matyasek surname. The declining trend of traditional surnames in Czech and Slovakian identities has only further contributed to the decline of the Matyasek surname in recent decades.
Today, the surname Matyasek is rare in Europe, as is the case with many traditional surnames. Most of those bearing the surname will likely be found in either the Czech Republic or Slovakia, with a few others with ancestral ties to the regions scattered across Europe.
Variations of the surname Matyasek
Matyasek is a surname found in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, and amongst ethnic Czech and Jewish populations in the United States. The variations, spellings, and surnames of this surname are numerous, as it has been used in multiple languages and cultures over the decades. Some of the most common variants and other surnames found with this origin include the following:
Matyšek or Matyška – This is the original Czech spelling of the surname and is derived from a personal name meaning “God is my father”.
Matešek or Mateška – This surname is a Slovak variation of Matyasek, and has the same meaning.
Matuiak, Matyak or Matyaya – These are dialectal variants derived from Slavic language and commonly found in Croatia and Ukraine of the same origin.
Matyeszko – This is a Polish spelling of the surname that is also of the same origin.
Matyeck, Matyak, and Matyakk – These are alternate spellings commonly found amongst ethnic Czech and Jewish populations in the United States.
Matteska – This is an alternate spelling found in Poland, Czech Republic, and the United States.
Matéseszka – Another variation of the surname found in Hungary.
Matiask – This is an alternate spelling found amongst ethnic Jewish populations in the United States.
Matiaszek – This is an alternate spelling found in Poland.
Matiaschek – Another alternate spelling found in Poland.
All of these variants, spellings, and surnames of Matyasek denote the same origin and can all be traced back to the original Czech spelling of Matyšek.
Famous people with the name Matyasek
- Ondřej Matyášek: Czech actor; member of the National Theatre since 1999.
- Maxim Matyasek: Belarusian football player; plays as a forward for FC Granit Mikashevichi.
- Hejkal Matyášek: Czech ice hockey player; holds a position as an defenseman for HC Dukla Jihlava.
- Kožený Matyášek: Former Czech paramotor pilot; competed professionally in the late 2000s.
- Jakub Matyášek: Slovakian cross-country skier; represented his country in the 2019 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.
- Josef Matyášek: Czech artistic gymnast; won two gold medals at the 2009 Summer Universiade.
- Jan Matyášek: Czech photographer; best known for his socially-conscious portraits of Czech Republic.
- Táňa Matyášková: Czech film editor; worked on over a dozen films, including 7 Witches and The Phobos Project.
- Michal Matyášek: Czech painter; gained acclaim for his large-scale murals.
- Ivana Matyášková: Czech sprint canoeist; participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.