Surname Slezak - Meaning and Origin
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Slezak: What does the surname Slezak mean?
Slezak is a surname of Czech origin meaning “one from Slezsko”, a historical region in the north east of the Czech Republic. The region is better known today as Silesia and was previously a part of the kingdom of Bohemia. In the late 1700s, many slezaks migrated to other parts of the world, mostly to the United States and Australia.
In America, the Slezak name is most associated with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as many Americans with this surname trace their roots to this region. However, the origin of the name is considered to be the northern Czech region, which has ties to both German and Czech cultures.
The Slezak name can also be found in various locations around the world. In Australia, there are some families with the surname. In Europe, this name can be found in Germany, Slovakia, Russia, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, and the Czech Republic. In the United States, cities such as Chicago, Detroit, and New York City all have people with the slezak surname.
The name Slezak is often associated with good fortune and fidelity. This stems from an old Czech legend which tells of a “lucky” man by the name of Slezák who was said to have possessed the secret of eternal life.
In conclusion, the name Slezak has its roots in the old kingdom of Bohemia, and most people with this name come from this region or countries with ties to it. The name has a long-standing association with good luck and fidelity, and many find the name very unique and special.
Order DNA origin analysisSlezak: Where does the name Slezak come from?
The last name Slezak is most commonly found in Central Europe today. The name is believed to have originated from the Slavic languages, which are primarily spoken in Eastern Europe. It is derived from slzy, which means tears in Czech and Slovak. It is also found in Hungary and Germany, among other countries.
Slezak is a common surname throughout the Czech Republic, with the highest concentration in Prague. It is also found with high density in Slovakia, Germany, and Austria – countries which border the Czech Republic.
The name Slezak is by far the most popular in the Czech Republic, where it is the 43rd most common last name. It has also been present in the region for centuries descended from Moravian Slavs and Czech nobility.
Outside the Czech Republic, high numbers of individuals with the last name of Slezak are easily found in Germany, with many having immigrated from the Czech Republic. The name is also quite popular in Austria, with the highest concentration of Slezaks found in Grodtschitz.
It is also prominent in the United States since many individuals with the name Slezak immigrated from Europe in the 19th century. It is primarily found in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, followed by New York and Illinois.
Today, the Slezak last name remains primarily concentrated around Central Europe, culminating in the Czech Republic.
Variations of the surname Slezak
Slezak is a Polish surname originating from the Polish word "słezyć," which is derived from the old Slavic word "slèzy," meaning "to beg." The most common variants of Slezak in English-speaking countries are Slezak, Slazak, Slizak and Slizak.
Slezak is most commonly found in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and Scotland. The name is usually spelled Slezak in the United Kingdom, while in the United States it typically appears as Slazak or Slizak. In Scotland, it is commonly spelled Slizak.
Variants of Slezak in other languages include Schlesack, Schlesak, Schleseck and Schlesak in German; Śleziak in Polish; Slezák in Czech; and Slezák and Šlezák in Slovak.
Surnames derived from Slezak can also appear in English-speaking countries, including Slazak, Slezakowski, Slezkin, Slizynski and Slizynski.
Slezak is a relatively rare surname, particularly in the United States, where it appears to have only experienced slight growth since the early 1900s.
Famous people with the name Slezak
- Walter Slezak: Walter Slezak (1902-1983) was a renowned opera singer and actor who featured in numerous films including the 1933 version of King Kong, Jane Eyre (1943) and the 1965 classic The Sound of Music.
- Walter Slezak Jr.: Walter Slezak Jr. (b. 1935) is an American actor with an impressive list of credits, appearing in films like The Towering Inferno (1974) and 54 (1998).
- Leopold Slezak: Leopold Slezak (1873-1946) was a prominent Austrian opera singer. He was the father of Walter Slezak and the grandfather of Walter Slezak Jr.
- Erika Slezak: Erika Slezak (b. 1941) is an American actress, the daughter of Walter Slezak and sister of Walter Slezak Jr. She is noted for her long-running role on the daytime drama One Life to Live.
- Heinrich Slezak: Heinrich Slezak (1854-1943) was an opera singer and father of Leopold and grandfather of Walter Slezak.
- Viktor Slezak: Viktor Slezak (b.1974) is a retired Slovak footballer who went pro with MFK Košice in 1998.
- Rudolf Slezak: Rudolf Slezak (1868-1952) was an Austrian actor who starred in many films including Strangers on a Train (1951).
- Guido Maria Slezak: Guido Maria Slezak (b. 1944) is a television actor from Austria who has appeared in a number of Austrian and German films.
- Izabella Slezak: Izabella Slezak (b. 1985) is a Polish actress.