Surname Mordeck - Meaning and Origin
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Mordeck: What does the surname Mordeck mean?
The origin of the last name Mordeck is bound up in the Middle Ages, with various spellings of the name found in medieval records. It is thought to have started out as a nickname, most likely derived from the Old French word "mondre" meaning "to tear." Later spellings of the name, such as Mordecke, Mordes, Morduc or Morduk, emerged in the 12th century from Germany and Scandinavia.
The earliest records of the surname date from the 13th century, with the first recorded Mordeck in 1218. This was probably the name of a Germanic landholder, as found in many villages and rural areas across what are now continental Europe and England.
There is also a Jewish tradition of using the last name Mordeck, often linked with family and household names. This arises from the Jewish tradition that a mother would assign her son the family name Mordeck; this meant that the family would always have some degree of distinction and recognition, as Jewish people had few other ways to establish their community.
Thus, the last name Mordeck is thought to have first arisen as a nickname derived from Old French, and later became firmly established within different European countries and, importantly, the Jewish community. With its various spellings, the name is now recognised worldwide.
Order DNA origin analysisMordeck: Where does the name Mordeck come from?
Mordeck is a surname that originated in central and eastern Europe. It is a Ashkenazic Jewish name, which is the name given to those Jews descended from the medieval Jewish communities of Germany. It is still quite common in Eastern Europe, particularly in Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland.
In terms of the global population of individuals with the surname Mordeck, there are fewer than 200 people who bear that name. However, there are still a significant number of people living in the United States, Canada, and other countries who have origins in Central and Eastern European countries.
In the U.S., in particular, the surname Mordeck is most commonly found in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, and Michigan. Other states that have significant populations of Mordeck individuals include Illinois, California, Florida, Texas, Washington, and Maryland.
The most popular cities with Mordeck individuals include New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Detroit, and Los Angeles. Among these cities, Detroit has the highest population of individuals with the name Mordeck.
Overall, the Mordeck surname is concentrated mostly in East European countries and those with East European ancestries in the U.S. and Canada. Its population is relatively small, but its members are a notable part of many communities in these countries.
Variations of the surname Mordeck
Mordeck is a surname of German-Jewish origin. Although it has only one spelling, it has several variations and spellings derived from it, as well as some other surnames with similar origins.
Variations in spelling of the name Mordeck include Mordecky, Mordech, Mordechai, Mordecai, Mordechay, Mordcek, Mordechyk, Mordecki, Mordeczer, Mordec, Mordecz, Mordcz, and Mordicai. The surname is sometimes also spelled as Mordak and Mordkovich. It has several equivalent surnames in other languages, such as Bodik (in Yiddish), Bödiker (in German), and Mordiconi (in Italian).
Mordeck has also been used as a given name, mainly for boys. Some variant spellings of Mordeck as a first name include Mordecai, Mordechai, Mordecchai, Mordechay, Mordeczy, Mordk, Mordoca, Mordokai, Mordokay, Mordokhai, Mordokhey, and Mordy.
The surname Mordeck is not a common one. However, it may have been derived from other common Jewish surnames, such as Morduch, Mordukhov, Mordike, and Mordko. It is also sometimes used as a variant of the name Mordecai or Mordechai.
Thus, the surname Mordeck is a unique name and has several variants, spellings, and equivalent surnames in other languages. The surname is also sometimes used as a given name.
Famous people with the name Mordeck
- Rehahn Mordeck: Famous travel photographer, born in France and now based in Vietnam.
- Val Mordeck: UFC Fighter, competed in the UFC Lightweight Division.
- Johann Mordeck: Winner of the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year award in 2013.
- Richmond Mordeck: Former professional ice hockey player, played in the Western Pro Hockey League.
- Willie Mordeck: American college basketball coach, widely known as the winning coach during the Big Ten regular season in 2018.
- Anna Mordeck: British-American pop singer, first found fame in the UK in 2016 with her hit single ‘Ready For My Chance’.
- Peter Mordeck: Award winning Brazilian Children’s Author, best known for his book ‘The Hobbit Cat’.
- Inge Mordeck: German Photographer, best known for her iconic black and white images of old age.
- Harry Mordeck: American professional Golfer, winner of the PGA Tour’s Canadian Open in 2002.
- Chunky Mordeck: British Actor, most renowned for his performance as Major Peter Marlow in the ITV drama ‘Dinosaurs’.