Surname Prochaska - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Prochaska: What does the surname Prochaska mean?
The last name Prochaska is derived from a medieval Polish and Czech surname meaning “fist.” As a result, the name was attributed to individuals who were either left-handed or powerful. Alternate spellings of the surname are Prochazka and Prochak.
The Prochaska surname is most commonly found among Slavic populations, particularly in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia. It is also common among individuals of Slovak, Czech and Polish descent in the United States, Canada, and other countries in South and Central America.
In the Czech and Slovak languages, the name is pronounced Prō-chah-skah. The Prochaska surname is linked to several noble and prominent families, including the Czech poets and authors of the 16th century, the limitless early settlers of nongovernmental origins, and the decorated generals of a reconstruction era.
Although a rare surname globally, the Prochaska name lives on and has become quite common in some parts of the world. The Prochaska surname carries a long and proud heritage in its recognition and is one of the oldest known European surnames.
Order DNA origin analysisProchaska: Where does the name Prochaska come from?
The last name Prochaska is most prominently found in the countries of Germany, Austria, and Czech Republic. It is a German surname derived from surnames which originated in the German language. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic language meaning “he who guards the cows.” It is thought to have originated as an occupational name given to someone who looked after cows.
Within Germany, the last name Prochaska is most commonly found in the Hanover region of Lower Saxony. In Austria, the prevalence is highest in the states of Carinthia and Vienna. In the Czech Republic, Prochaska is most common in the Central Bohemian Region.
The name has spread from its roots in German-speaking countries to the United States of America, where it is also found. Its prevalence is still higher in the countries of its origin. In the United States, most states have recorded at least a few bearers of the name, although it is concentrated mostly in the Midwest. Interestingly, the last name is not particularly common in other English-speaking countries, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, or New Zealand.
In conclusion, Prochaska is a German surname most prominently found in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. It is also found in the United States of America, although its prevalence is still much higher in the countries of its origin.
Variations of the surname Prochaska
Prochaska is a surname that originated in Central Europe, likely in what is now Poland. It is derived from the Czech word “prochazka”, meaning ‘journey’ or ‘walk’.
It is spelled in many variants and international spellings, including Prochasky, Pruchaska, Pruchasky, Przechowski, Pruszak, Przeczewski, and Przechowiak. There are also various ethnic and dialect variations on the spelling, such as Prochazka, Prokopiuk, Porchazka, Przeczkiewicz, Przychowicz and Pryszczak.
The Prochaska surname can also be encountered with various prefixes, such as von Prochaska, or de Prochaska. Finally, the Prochaska surname may sometimes be transformed into Brown, Jones, Johnson, Williams, and other Anglo-Saxon surnames, due to American immigration and assimilation, or others such as Carson, Chapman, Glass, and Szczepanik, all based on English or other language equivalents of the original Prochaska.
Famous people with the name Prochaska
- Tom Prochaska: Actor
- Maria Prochaska: Theatrical Lighting Designer
- Georg Prochaska: Austrian Composer
- Max Prochaska: Bohemian-Austrian Actor
- Johann Prochaska: Author
- John D. Prochaska: American Psychologist
- Micha Prochaska: Entrepreneur
- Friedrich Prochaska: Germany Officer
- Robert Prochaska: American Politician
- Barbara Prochaska: German Track and Field Athlete
- Michele Prochaska: Author
- Rick Prochaska: American Cinematographer
- Paul Prochaska: American Musician
- Anne Prochaska: Vice-President of Research & Development
- Bill Prochaska: American Football Player