Surname Panko - Meaning and Origin
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Panko: What does the surname Panko mean?
The last name Panko is derived from the Slavic word “panko” meaning “small” or “tiny.” It can refer to either diminutive stature or to the small size of an object. The name first began to appear around the 16th century in Eastern Europe, primarily in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine. It is believed to have started off as a nickname meaning “small or little” and eventually became a family name.
It is also possible that the name derived from a place called Panko, which can be found in a few countries, such as Bulgaria. It is an old Slavic toponym meaning “place of small people.” This could suggest that early families with the Panko surname could have come from this area.
The surname is believed to have spread as its families migrated and settled in other parts of the world. Today, many countries around the world have Panko families, but there are the largest concentrations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria, Serbia, and the United States.
The name Panko has evolved throughout the centuries, but its meaning remains the same. It is still used today as a reminder of of its original Slavic meaning—that someone or something is “small” or “tiny” in size.
Order DNA origin analysisPanko: Where does the name Panko come from?
The last name Panko is particularly common in the countries of Russia, Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine. It is estimated that there are more than 5,000 individuals in the world with the last name Panko. It is believed to be derived from the Old East Slavic name "panko", meaning "a little one".
In the United States, the Panko last name is particularly prevalent in Pennsylvania and Illinois. It is one of the most popular surnames in Pennsylvania, ranking in the top 500 of the state’s last names. The city of Philadelphia holds the highest concentration of individuals with the surname Panko, with over 500 individuals in the county.
In Russia, the surname is most commonly found in Moscow, Kaliningrad, and Murmansk. In Poland, Panko appears most commonly around the Łódź region. In Slovakia, Panko is often found around the Košice region. In Ukraine, it is believed to be most commonly found around Odessa and Kiev.
Across all countries, the name Panko is widely used in small villages and rural areas. This is especially true in some of the Eastern European countries, suggesting the name has been used by generations of families living in the same region.
Variations of the surname Panko
Panko is one of the many surnames of various origins, most notably Eastern European. It is a spelling variant of several other surnames, such as Pankow, Pankowski, Pankowsky, Pankov, Pankova, Pankowska, Pankó and Panke.
The Polish form Pankowski and Pankowsky are derived from the word pąk, which means ‘bud’ or ‘swelling’. The surname is also seen as a nickname meaning somebody who behaves in an unrestrained manner. In Russian, Pankov is derived from the word pank meaning ‘daring and adventurous individual’. In Slovakia, Pankowska comes from the word pan, meaning ‘lord’.
The surnames Pankó, Praňko and Paňko are of Czech origin and are derived from the same word pąk, meaning ‘bud’. The Czech spelling variant Pankova is derived from the name ‘Paňko’. In Bulgaria, Panke is a spelling variant of the surname Panko.
Panko is an easily recognizable surname, no matter what origin or variant. Variants of the same origin have evolved over time due to geographical and linguistic boundaries. Those who have this surname will easily recognize its many spellings, no matter where they are from.
Famous people with the name Panko
- Alan Panko: Legendary movie director and screenwriter.
- Bill Panko: American professional basketball player.
- Hans Panko: Norwegian-born oscar-nominated fiction writer.
- John Panko: Professional football player and former Super Bowl Champion.
- Marc Panko: Award winning conductor, composer, and arranger.
- Michael Panko: Fashion designer and creative director of his own namesake label.
- Nathan Panko: Jazz drummer, composer, and educator.
- Rose Panko: Best-selling and award-winning novelist.
- Scott Panko: International rugby player, part of the Pacific Islanders team.
- Taylor Panko: American singer-songwriter and guitarist.