Surname Ondrasek - Meaning and Origin
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Ondrasek: What does the surname Ondrasek mean?
The last name Ondrasek is a Czech surname derived from the name Ondra, which is an old Slavic name that means “work” or “father.” It’s believed to have originated during the Middle Ages when surnames were assigned depending on one’s occupation. The suffix “sek” typically refers to a small settlement or landowner, making the literal translation of Ondrasek “Worker of a small settlement or landowner.”
Today, the surname can be found in various forms all over the world, most commonly in central Europe and North America. It has just recently become more widespread due to emigration from these regions. In the U.S., the surname exists in places such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and even Texas where it is often spelled as “Ondricek”.
Though the meaning of the name is quite straightforward, the historical and cultural significance behind the name speaks to a legacy of hard work, determination, and perseverance within the Ondrasek family. In a world filled with people all busy striving for their own successes, the Ondrasek name is a reminder of the importance of these qualities.
Order DNA origin analysisOndrasek: Where does the name Ondrasek come from?
The last name Ondrasek is most commonly found in the central and eastern European region, particularly in countries such as Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Poland. The name is derived from the Slavic word “ondra” which is a diminutive of the male given name "Andrej".
In the Czech Republic, the name Ondrasek originates from an old Czech nobility which had origins in the 14th century when Jan Ondrasek of Hradec swapped his original name of Kepak for his new adopted name of Ondrasek. As a result, the Ondrasek surname has spread across the Czech Republic, primarily in central and northeastern regions.
In Slovakia, the surname is more widely distributed than in the Czech Republic, with the regions of Carpathian Ruthenia and Ruthenian Slovakia having the highest percentage of Ondraseks, according to the 2016 census.
In Austria, the surname is predominantly found in Vienna and the surrounding states of Lower and Upper Austria. It is believed that many of the Ondraseks in Austria settled in Vienna during World War II.
Furthermore, the surname is also quite common in Poland, especially in cities such as Kraków and Warsaw. It is believed that the Polish Ondraseks are descendants of Czech nobility who migrated to Poland at the end of the 12th century.
Overall, the surname Ondrasek is common across many central and eastern European countries, most notably the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Poland.
Variations of the surname Ondrasek
The surname Ondrasek is a variant of a commonly found Central European surname, which can be spelt Ondrejsek, Ondricek, Ondrasek, or Ondrcsek. It is an ethnic surname derived from the Old Slavic name Ondras, which means 'manly and brave leader'.
Variants of the surname Ondrasek that are commonly found in countries such as Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Croatia include Ondracek, Ondricak, Ondricek, Ondrasek, Ondrcek, Ondrasek and Ondrsek.
Less common variants of the surname can include Ondraček, Ondrejček, Ondrejcek, Ondresak, Ondršek and Ondresek.
The surname Ondrasek is also found in America, both with and without a Latinate ending. For example, Ondrashik, Ondrašek, Ondrasko, Ondrasky, Ondrasek, and Ondrashek.
In some cases, it may also be spelt Ondraski, Ondrashik, or Ondrashy. These are more likely to be found amongst those whose ancestors immigrated to America from Eastern or Central Europe.
Meanwhile, related surnames include Ondrasky, Ondrašek, Ondrejček, Ondrejcek, and Ondracek. These are not necessarily variants of the same origin, although individuals with these surnames can often trace their ancestry back to the same region of Europe.
Famous people with the name Ondrasek
- Jeannie Ondrasek, American film and television actress
- Thomas Ondrasek, German professional footballer
- Kelly Ondrasek, American pop artist and solo-vocalist
- Lillian Ondrasek, American artist and designer
- Roman Ondrasek, Czechoslovakian music conductor
- Patrick Ondrasek, British blues-rock guitarist
- Milos Ondrasek, Slovakian linguist and philologist
- Petr Ondrasek, Czech violinist and composer
- Veronika Ondrasek, Austrian sculptor
- Libby Ondrasek, American screenwriter and filmmaker
- Marek Ondrasek, Slovakian professional ice hockey player
- Andrew Ondrasek, Czech diver and Olympic athlete
- Alfred Ondrasek, Austrian composer
- James Ondrasek, Canadian film and television writer
- Vanessa Ondrasek, American jewelry designer