Surname Philippiak - Meaning and Origin
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Philippiak: What does the surname Philippiak mean?
The surname Philippiak is a habitational name, most likely derived from the area of Philippiakon in the Greek region of Macedonia. This was an urban center, at the time known as Philippi, that derived its name from Philip II of Macedon.
The name is believed to have been derived from the Greek name Philippos, a combination of two words: philos, which means "loving", and hippos, meaning "horse". Given the military prowess of Philip II, the name could also be translated as 'The Lover of Horses'.
The meaning of Philippiak is therefore associated with its place of origin, where Philip II of Macedon worked to strengthen the economy by initiating trade routes and large public works. This legacy has been unofficially adopted by those who bear the name Philippiak, a proud legacy of progress and establishing prosperous communities.
The name Philippiak remains commonplace in modern Greece, as well as countries with a strong Greek influence, e.g. the United States. Today, those who bear the last name Philippiak are proud descendants of Philip II's pioneering acidity and continue to associate themselves with the legacy of the region.
Order DNA origin analysisPhilippiak: Where does the name Philippiak come from?
The last name Philippiak is most common in eastern Europe today, particularly in Poland, Russia, and Ukraine. Most people with this surname are of Slavic origin, with the earliest recorded use dating back to the Middle Ages.
The earliest documented Philippiak family were found in the rural town of Chudinki in the western Russian province of Kaljuga in the 18th century. These records show that the family had been living there since at least 1668. Over the next hundred years, they spread throughout other parts of Russia, Ukraine, and Poland.
At the start of the 20th century, the majority of Philippiak families were living in the southeast of Poland, in an area then known as Galicia. It was during this period that many Philippiaks left the region due to political and economic conditions in the area and immigrated to other parts of the world.
Today, the surname Philippiak is most commonly found in Poland. According to current estimates, around 35,000 people in the country bear this last name. The second-highest concentration is in Ukraine, with around 14,000 people having the surname. Smaller numbers of Philippiaks can also be found in Germany, Lithuania, the United States, Canada, and Brazil.
Variations of the surname Philippiak
The surname Philippiak originates from the ancient Greek personal name Philippos. The personal name is formed from a combination of two elements: philein, meaning “to love”, and hippos, meaning “horse”. The surname Philippiak is generally found in countries with strong Eastern European influence, such as Poland, Croatia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
Variants of the Philippiak surname include: Philippiyak, Philippiak, and Philippiyak. Spellings often vary depending on the country, such as Filipiak, Filippiak, and Filippiyak. It is also sometimes spelled as Philipak, Phillepek, Fillipek, Philippiac, and Philliphak.
Surnames related to Philippiak include Philippovich, Filipovic, and Filipowicz. The name is also occasionally used as a middle name in some countries.
The ancient origins of the name Phillipiak, as well as the numerous variations and EU-centric history, make this an interesting surname with a story that spans hundreds of years. Because of the many variations, it can be a challenge to track family members who carry this surname. Regardless, its history and resilience make the Philippiak surname worth learning more about.
Famous people with the name Philippiak
- Reinwald Philippiak (German Generalleutnant)
- Robert Philippiak (Canadian-born American skier)
- Pawel Philippiak (Polish professional footballer)
- Blanche Philippiak (American businesswoman, marine engineer and lobbyist)
- Magdalena Philippiak (Polish artist, painter and set designer)
- Richard Philippiak (American basketball coach)
- Elke Philippiak (German singer and songwriter)
- Pola Philippiak (American journalist and editor)
- Cordula Philippiak (German lawyer and politician)
- Phil Philippiak (American football coach)