Surname Sarkander - Meaning and Origin
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Sarkander: What does the surname Sarkander mean?
The last name Sarkander is of Eastern European origin and is derived from a region known as Sarmatia. This is an area historically located to the east of Europe, spanning from the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea into Central Asia.
The Sarmatians were an ancient people of Eurasia in the Iron Age who constituted a distinct ethnic group known as the Sarmatians by the 5th century BC. This people group is likely the origin of the Sarkander surname and was likely passed down through generations by families living in this region.
The root of the last name Sarkander is believed to come from an Old Polish word for “warrior” or “fighter”, which would suggest that this family is of warrior descent. The name likely originated from a Sarmatian ancestor who was a powerful warrior and was passed down to his descendants.
Today, the Sarkander family name is still found in Eastern Europe and the region formerly known as Sarmatia. The Sarkander family is a proud, longstanding Eastern European family with its history and traditional roots deeply rooted in the region's past.
Order DNA origin analysisSarkander: Where does the name Sarkander come from?
The last name Sarkander is most commonly found in Sweden and Finland today. It appears to have first originated from the Swedish province of Östergötland, where it is still most commonly found.
Within Sweden, the name is found most densely in the Östergötland region of the country, where it is second only to the most common name Lundgren. It is also quite common in Gotland, Stockholm, and Halland; and the Swedish-speaking municipalities in Finland.
In addition to Sweden and Finland, the last name Sarkander is spreading further throughout the world due to immigration. It is gaining population in the United States, Australia, and Canada, particularly in cities with larger Scandinavian populations. In the U.S., the highest concentrations are found mainly in Minnesota, California, and Washington.
The last name Sarkander is derived from Swedish sark, meaning speckle, and ander, meaning land. This suggests that the original bearer of the name may have been a farmer or inhabitant of a speckled land. As far as the origin of the name is concerned, this is as far as scholars have been able to trace.
Variations of the surname Sarkander
The surname Sarkander is derived from a historic region in northern India now known as Saharanpur. The word 'Sarkander' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'sakha' which means 'friend' or 'ally'. The surname is still encountered in India today, although its spelling has changed and evolved over time.
The historically most common variant of Sarkander is also spelled Sarkar and Sachar. This spelling is encountered frequently in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Bihar. It is also commonly spelled as Sarker and Sarkar in southern parts of India.
In addition to these variations, the surname can also be encountered in Pakistan where it is spelled Sakhr or Saqr.
In Europe and North America, Sarkander is often encountered as Saqunder or Saqhin and Sakhdar. Variations of the name can also be encountered with other endings, such as Sarkandra, Sarkandrai, Sarkandri, and Sarkendra.
In many of the Indian states, the surname is often encountered in the plural forms Sarkanders, Sachars, and Sarkades.
In the United Kingdom, the surname is sometimes encountered as Saqunder-Sarkar, Sarcar, or Sarkar-Saqhunder. In South Africa, the name is sometimes spelled Sarckadre.
In popular culture, the surname is especially renowned for its association with the 16th century Sufi saint Shaikh Sharafuddin Yahya Maneri, popularly known as Sarkandar-e-Sawad.
Famous people with the name Sarkander
- Jan Sarkander (1576–1620): Known as a 24-year-old Slovak Protestant martyr.
- Václav Sarkander (15 June 1883: 21 April 1927): Czech poet, dramatist and versatile writer.
- Joseph Sarkander (25 May 1848: 15 November 1922): Czech patriot and one of the founders of the Sokol national gymnastics movement.
- Karel Sarkander (26 April 1863: 19 April 1942): Czech-American composer and traditional folklorist at the beginning of the 20th century.
- Zdeněk Sarkander (3 October 1901: 11 March 1980): Czechoslovakian film director and screenwriter.
- Zdeněk Sarkander Jr. (28 May 1933: 8 January 2018): Czech actor, artist, writer, and Publisher.
- Jan Sarkander (2 July 1938: 22 August 2015): Czechoslovakian Olympic athlete.
- Jaroslav Šarkander (born 8 September 1950): Czech basketball player.
- Stanislav Šarkander (born 1 June 1985): Czech footballer.