Surname Melich - Meaning and Origin
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Melich: What does the surname Melich mean?
The last name Melich is of Czech and Slovak origin derived from the Old Czech personal name Melich. It is related to both the Polish name Miły ("lovely") and the German name Möllich ("gentle").
The name is found most often in Moravia, in the southeastern region of the Czech Republic. It was first recorded in the region in the 1200s in a document known as the Melich Codex. The name is taken from that same period and is probably derived from Melich, a knight who lived in Moravia at that time.
The name Melich would have been given originally as a sign of affection, reflecting an inherited memory or an uplifting aspiration for the family. Today, those who bear the name Melich are likely to be of Czech or Slovak descent, although some might have adopted the name due to its attractive sound.
In summary, the last name Melich is of Czech and Slovak origin and can be traced back to the 1200s, where it was likely given as a sign of affection. The name is found mostly in Moravia and is likely derived from an Old Czech personal name. Those who bear this name in the present day are likely to be of Czech/Slovak descent, although some may have adopted the name for its attractive sound.
Order DNA origin analysisMelich: Where does the name Melich come from?
The last name Melich is commonly found in countries of the former Austro-Hungarian empire, particularly throughout Austria, Hungary, neighboring Czech Republic, Croatia and Serbia. It is also common in some parts of Slovakia, Bosnia, Slovenia, and Romania. In the early 20th century, many people of the family Melich had migrated to the United States, settling primarily in Pennsylvania, Illinois, California, New York, and Idaho.
The last name Melich is derived from a Slavic word, "mel" meaning “honey.” Over time, various accents and dialects evolved, resulting in variations of the name including Mielick, Mielik, Mellik, Mœlick, and Mœlik.
Historically, the Melich family was of peasant or farming background, prominent in rural areas. Records show early members of the family as royal courtiers, but with the fall of the monarchy in Austria and Hungary at the end of World War I, many moved to more urban locations.
Today, the Melich family is widely dispersed around the world. As many moved abroad in search of employment, they settled in places as diverse as Australia, South Africa, the Philippines, and Latin America. Some of the most prominent members of the family are found in the United States, in leading fields such as business, government, science and technology, and the arts.
Variations of the surname Melich
Melich is a surname derived from the Middle High German word melinc 'number'. In some cases, the name may have been taken from a placename, from the Old High German melinc 'mound', 'hill'. It can be found as an Ashkenazic Jewish surname, an Italian surname, and a Czech surname.
In North America, the surname Melich is found mainly in the United States and Canada, and it is mostly of Ashkenazic Jewish origin.
The variants and spellings of Melich include Mellich, Melitch, Melitsch, Mellitsch, Melichs, Mellichs, Mellosh, Melech, Mellichshohn, Melichar, Melicsak, Malki, Malich, and Malok.
The Czech form is Melichar, which has its own variants and spellings: Meliška, Meliščík, Melič, Melicha, and Melicar. In America, it is typically anglicised as Malichar.
The Italian forms of the surname are Melisso and Melisi. Variants and spellings include: Melisa, Melissano, Melisso, Meliso, and Meliti.
The variants of the Ashkenazic Jewish name are Melech, Malki, Malich, Melekh, and Malok. These variants of the Melich surname are found more commonly in Eastern Europe.
Altogether, there are numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the name Melich. Each of these is unique and has its own history, and it is important to identify exactly which variant of the name one's ancestors are associated with in order to gain a better understanding of the family's history and heritage.
Famous people with the name Melich
- Theodor Melich: 18th century Austrian composer and organist.
- Armin Melich: Australian actor who performed in productions from the 1960s to the 1990s.
- Iva Melich: Czech-American sculptor who won the Riffe Award in 1992.
- James J. Melich: American FBI agent who led the investigation into the Robert Kennedy assassination.
- Paul Melich: Austrian physicist who developed the Melich-Meidner method of producing an alternating electric current.
- Elea Melich: Costa Rican-American entrepreneur and businesswoman.
- Martin J. Melich: Slovenian pharmacologist who worked on the development of drugs to treat type II diabetes.
- Hanna Melich: 20th century German-English architect and interior designer.
- Karel Melich: Czech physicist and researcher of semiconductor physics and materials.
- John Melich: Australian entrepreneur and former chairman of major companies.