Surname Sovka - Meaning and Origin
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Sovka: What does the surname Sovka mean?
The last name Sovka is a Slavic ethnic-based surname originating from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The name is derived from the word 'sovka' which is itself derived from the Old Slavic 'sovok', meaning 'sparrow hawk.' The meaning of the name could be interpreted as someone who is nimble, energetic, and determined.
For centuries, the surname Sovka has been associated with a strong work ethic, driven by the family's need to provide for its own in a harsh, cold environment. Throughout history, the Sovka family has been known to be independent and resilient, often working hard and facing difficult situations together.
In addition, the Sovka family has a great sense of pride in its heritage and culture. This is most notable in the way that the language and culture of the region is preserved even in the face of ordinary life. The Magyar influence in Slovakian culture is clearly reflected in the surnames of Slovaks.
In modern times, the name Sovka still holds its significance. It still carries the same pride, determination, and grit that has been associated with the name for centuries. As a result, the name Sovka still serves as a badge of honor for many Slovaks, a sign of the courage and resilience of the family.
Order DNA origin analysisSovka: Where does the name Sovka come from?
The surname Sovka is mostly associated with Central European countries, although there are records showing the name in locations further afield. It is a common surname in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Poland. It also exists in the United States, Canada, Russia, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Macedonia, Romania, and the United Kingdom.
The surname is derived from the word 'sovka' meaning “little goose” in Hungarian and Czech. It is believed to have originally been an ethnic name for Hungarians or Slovaks. While the exact origin of the surname is unknown, the name is likely derived from either a place called Sovka (which no longer exists) or from a nickname given to someone who had some character or physical trait related to geese.
In the countries of origin, records of the surname date back to the 1600s where it appears in church records and census records. The surname is still quite common today, with over 2,000 currently registered with the questar system in the United States. The states with the most people with this surname are New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and California.
Variations of the surname Sovka
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Sovka are:
Sowka: This variant originated from the Ukrainian name Sivka, which is derived from the Jewish surname Siwiec, meaning “little tailor”. This was also a common Ukrainian Jewish name, and is still found in Russia and other eastern European countries.
Sova: Another variant, Sowa, is also derived from the same Jewish surname Siwiec and is found in western Ukraine, western Belarus, and western Poland.
Savka: A variant of Sowka, this spelling alleges to its origins in Ukraine as well.
Sobka: A more commonly found variant of Sovka is Sobka. It is believed to have its roots in Middle Eastern countries such as Turkey, Iraq, and Iran.
Szawka: Among the Jewry of western Ukraine, this variant of Sovka is more commonly found.
Sobka-Radlo: This variant is derived from the Polish-Jewish surname Radlo and is found in western Ukraine and western Belarus.
Savchenko: Although this is more a patronymic name, it still has its origin in the same source as the surname Sovka. It is derived from the Ukrainian spelling of the name Savka and can be found in the Ukraine and Russia.
Savko: This Ukrainian variant of the surname translates to ‘black bird’ in English and is also an old Ukrainian Jewish name.
Thus, these are the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Sovka.
Famous people with the name Sovka
- Steve Sovka: Former NFL football player who is most notably known for playing for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1989 to 1991.
- Mark Sovka: Professional golfer and former PGA Tour member who has also competed on the Nationwide Tour, the World Golf Championships, and the Canadian Tour.
- Dan Sovka: Former hockey player who has played in the NHL for the Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, and Florida Panthers.
- Johnathan Sovka: Current Major League Lacrosse (MLL) player and three-time World Lacrosse Championship (WLC) gold medalist.
- Chelsea Sovka: Musical artist from Toronto, Ontario who has released four extended play (EP) albums and several popular singles.
- Jordan Sovka: Gold and bronze medalist at the 2018 Winter Olympics in men’s figure skating.
- Mike Sovka: Two-time Canadian Junior Ice Hockey National Champion and current professional hockey player in the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL).
- Chris Sovka: Award-winning professional mountain biker from Canada with many championship titles over the past ten years.
- Nicole Sovka: Award-winning British fashion designer known for her modern and minimalist designs.
- Michael Sovka: Award-winning journalist who has written for major publications like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian.