Surname Miklavc - Meaning and Origin
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Miklavc: What does the surname Miklavc mean?
The last name Miklavc has roots in the Slovenian language and is derived from the word "miklavž," which translates to mean "Saint Nicholas" or "Nicholas." According to Slovenian oral tradition, the surname denotes descent from an ancestor with the name of Nicholas. This could be either an ancestor who bore the name of Saint Nicholas or someone else who was named after the saint.
Moreover, there is an ancient legend associated with Miklavc surname, according to which the Miklavc family of Carniola (a district now located in the western part of Slovenia) descended from a legendary prince named Nicholas. It is said that Nicholas was the eldest son of the legendary Emperor of Rome, Theodoric the Great, who reigned in the 6th century. In the legend it is said that when Theodoric died, Nicholas sought his inheritance in the form of a stretch of land in what is now the western part of Slovenia.
The Miklavc name is not common worldwide, but is seen more often in Slovenia and in regions where Slovenian immigrants have settled. It is possible that descendants of the Miklavc family still live in the same area today and continue to pass on the family name and its associated legend.
Order DNA origin analysisMiklavc: Where does the name Miklavc come from?
The last name Miklavc is most commonly found today in Slovenia. It has been established in the region for centuries, and there is a historical connection between Slovenia and the name. In fact, a few notable Slovenian figures have held the surname over the years, including the Slovenian wrestler, Josip Miklavc, and the painter, Igor Miklavc.
The surname Miklavc is also present in other parts of Central and Southeastern Europe, such as Austria and Croatia. Records show that the Miklavc family tree has branched out to other countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The name itself has originated from the Slavic word for "precious stone", and it is thought that those who originally held the Miklavc name were considered to be similar to a gem because of their highly esteemed stature in the community.
Since then, Miklavc has become an international last name due to its growing presence across different parts of Europe and in North America. It is estimated that there are currently over two thousand individuals around the world who carry the surname today.
Variations of the surname Miklavc
The surname Miklavc is commonly seen in Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. While the current spelling of this surname may appear to be unique, it does have other variations and spellings.
The original spelling of the surname Miklavc is a Croatian variant, known as Миклавц or Miklavts. This variant gets its roots from the Slovene and Old Slavonic name Milovic, meaning ‘son of Milovan’. Milovan is a short form of the name Milan, stemming from the Old Slavic word milu, or ‘merciful’.
Variations of this surname involve the use of the suffix -ić, as seen in Miklavcic and Miklavčić. The former is used most commonly in Croatia, and the latter is mainly found in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The variant Miklavec is seen mostly in Slovenia, and this version is derived from the Slovenian verb mikati, meaning ‘to interfere’. It is also believed to derive from the Old Slavonic root milev, meaning ‘mighty or strong’.
Other variants that have been suggested include Miklošević, a Croatian variant of the same origin, and Miklavčev, a Serbian version. The alternate spellings Miklavc, Miklavč, Miklavčka, and Miklavšek are also seen.
Overall, there are numerous spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Miklavc. Understanding the variants can be a crucial part of tracing a person’s family history, as these different spellings may reconcile a person’s presumed name with one of their ancestors, whose name may have been recorded differently.
Famous people with the name Miklavc
- Alojzije (Aloyzij) Miklavc, Slovene politician
- Božidar Miklavc, Slovene politician
- Damjan Garrant Miklavc, Slovene visual artist
- Danilo Miklavc, Slovene waterskaier
- Franc Miklavc, Slovene historian
- Janezek Miklavc, Slovene politician
- Leon Miklavc, Slovene actor
- Simon Miklavc, Slovene writer
- Tadej Miklavc, Slovene actor
- Tone Miklavc, Slovene musician
- Tomaž Miklavc, Slovene ice hockey player
- Vid Miklavc, Slovene poet
- Viktor Miklavc, Slovene comic book artist
- Zmaga Miklavc, Slovene skier