Surname Ondrej - Meaning and Origin

Ondrej: What does the surname Ondrej mean?

The last name Ondrej is a Czech and Slovak variant of the name "Andrew" and is derived from the Greek form of the name Andreas, meaning “man” or “warrior.” Ondrej is pronounced AHN-drei (with the "d" being soft, as in "jazz").

In the Czech Republic, the surname Ondrej is most popular in Bohemia. Czech legend states that in the year 1230, the Knights Templar brought a blacksmith name Ondrej from England to Bohemia’s neighbouring country, Poland. After his arrival, Ondrej settled down in Moravia and was given land and an aristocratic entry in a document.

In Slovakia, the surname Ondrej is most associated with Northern Slovakia, most specifically, the Mala Fatra mountain, where it is the most frequently encountered among the population.

Each region of the Czech Republic and Slovakia has it's own version of the Ondrej Coat of Arms - a symbol of the family's unique history and identity - showing single wall tower enclosing two wings of a blackbird.

The current Ondrej family crest are three gold stars placed vertically on a sky-blue background, representing faith, hope, and charity. Ondrej family members, throughout the centuries, have often used the classic motto "Ingenio et Labore," meaning “with wit and labour.”

The last name Ondrej is a reminder of the amazement and accomplishments of the Ondrej family line, tracing its roots to centuries past. It is often displayed with familial pride and honor, celebrated for being part of a journey stretching back through centuries of history.

Ondrej: Where does the name Ondrej come from?

The last name Ondrej is common throughout much of Central and Eastern Europe, with its highest concentration in Slovakia. Ondrej is the Slovak form of the name Andrew, coming from the Greek andreios, meaning "manly." The spelling Ondrej with the cedilla beneath the letter "c" is the Slovak form.

The Ondrej surname has a long history and is especially common in Slovakia because it arose during a time of Slavic expansion and dominance. It is also found in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovenia. In Poland, the last name is Ondrych, and it is also found in Croatia, Austria, and other parts of Europe.

An estimated 300,722 people around the world are recorded with the Ondrej surname today, most of whom live in Slovakia. Austria has the second highest concentration with over 18,000 people bearing the name. In the United States, the name is found in over 21 states and over 5800 people.

Ondrej is an uncommon surname in much of the West, but continues to be prevalent in Central and Eastern Europe. It is an interesting last name that may carry the legacy of an ancient people and spread of Christianity in the far-reaching corners of Europe.

Variations of the surname Ondrej

The surname Ondrej is derived from the Latin Andreas, which means 'manly'. One of the most common variants for Ondrej is Andrew, and is used as a masculine given name in English, French, and other languages. Ondrej is also spelled as Andrej, Andrey, Andrzej, and Andrei.

The Irish version of Ondrej is Ollarvey, derived from Ó Andreáin meaning 'from the family of Andrew'. In the Czech Republic, the name Andrej is spelled with a y instead of its original ej.

In Ukraine, Ondrej is spelled as Andriy and is more popular than its original spelling. The Polish version of the surname is Andrzej, pronounced an-JAY. An-dree-tey is the Italian version of the surname. The French version is André.

The Slovak variant is Ondrej, pronounced oon-DRAY, while the Greek version is Andreadis, pronounced an-DRED-dis. In Russia, the surname is spelled as Andrey, pronounced an-DRAY, while the Lithuanian pronunciation is Andriušas.

In Germany, Ondrej is spelled as Andreas or Andres, while the Portuguese and Spanish version is André or Andres. The Croatian version is Andrija or Andreja. Swedish, Estonian and Norwegian variations of the name are Anders. Finally, the Slovenian version is Andraž, pronounced Ahn-DRAHSH.

Famous people with the name Ondrej

• Oldrich Ondrej, Czech composer and teacher
• Lukás Ondrej, Slovak footballer
• Josef Ondrej, Czech playwright and screenwriter
• Miloš Ondrej, Czech cyclist
• Ondrej Kudela, Czech footballer
• Ondrej Duda, Slovak footballer
• Ondrej Nemec, Czech film and television actor
• Ondrej Pavelec, Czech ice hockey player
• Ondrej Pavelec, Czech ice hockey coach
• Ondrej Hulina, Czech-American handball player
• Ondrej Neang, former Czechoslovak football player
• Ondrej Cink, Slovak cyclist
• Ondřej Pavelka, Czech bobsledder
• Ondrej Rybář, Czech footballer
• Ondrej Sosenka, former Czech cyclist
• Ondrej Ševčík, Czech actor
• Ondrej Koplík, Czech football player
• Ondrej Šteffl, Czech professional ice hockey player
• Ondrej Vanek, Czech professional ice hockey player
• Ondrej Verner, Czech figure skater

Other surnames

Ondrejka