Surname Spacek - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Spacek: What does the surname Spacek mean?
The last name Spacek is of Czech origin. It is derived from the word 'spacek', which is a diminutive form of the word 'space' or 'espace'. The name is thought to have been derived from a job title or place name, with the '-ek' suffix being a diminutive form, meaning 'little'. Variants of the name include Spaceka, Spacovsky, Spaczak and Spacekova.
The word 'space' implies a sense of freedom, openness and potential, and these themes are reflected in the Spacek surname. It reflects the adventurous nature of the early members of the family, whose journey and experiences as immigrants from their homeland of Czechoslovakia shaped them and their descendants, and brought them to new countries with new opportunities.
Spacek is a unique and meaningful surname, and may prompt questions from those hearing it for the first time. In spite of the family's journey through many generations, the name still reflects the courage and spirit of exploration that characterized the first members of the family. Along with the potential and freedom it alludes to, the Spacek surname is a reminder to its bearers of a strong and inspiring ancestral legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisSpacek: Where does the name Spacek come from?
The last name Spacek is most commonly found in countries of Central and Eastern Europe, especially the Czech Republic. The Spacek surname originated with a Slavic tribe that lived in what is now the Czech Republic. Historically, the family was part of the social elite of the country and held many influential positions in royal courts, government, and the arts.
Today, due to the large wave of emigration that occurred from Central and Eastern Europe at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, Spacek is also found across the United States, Canada, Australia and other parts of the world.
According to Forebears, a genealogy website tracking the distribution of surnames, Spacek is the 22nd most common last name in the Czech Republic. It is also the 1,489th most common surname in the United States, with more than 4,000 bearers of the name residing there. In Australia, Spacek is the 3,777th most common surname, and in Canada it is the 10,278th most common name.
Many distinguished professionals and celebrated public figures can trace their roots back to Spacek, including Academy Award-winning actress Sissy Spacek, famous for her roles in movies like "Carrie" and "The Help" and British-born American author Tom Spacek.
Variations of the surname Spacek
The surname Spacek is of Czech origin and is derived from the word 'spacek', which means 'little sparrow' in Czech. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Spacak, Spačák, Spata and Špaček.
Spacak is a variation of Spacek that is particularly common amongst families residing in Moravia, which is located in the eastern part of the Czech Republic. It is derived directly from the Czech word for 'sparrow'.
Špaček is another variation of Spacek that is formed with the Czech diacritical mark known as a 'trefle', which is also seen in words such as 'červený' (red).
Spata is a variation of Spacek that is relatively rare and is found mainly in western Slovakia, which was once a part of the Hungarian Empire.
Finally, Spačák is the most widely used variant of Spacek and is found in many countries around the world. It is likely to be derived from the Slavic word 'spa' which means 'fall'.
In summary, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Spacek include Spacak, Spačák, Spata and Špaček. These variants originate from different parts of the Czech Republic and Slovakia and originate from either the word 'spacek', which means 'little sparrow' in Czech, or the Slavic word 'spa' which means 'fall'.
Famous people with the name Spacek
- Sissy Spacek: Academy Award-winning actress known for her roles in the horror film Carrie, the legal thriller JFK, and the biographical drama Coal Miner's Daughter.
- Chris Spacek: Film, television, and commercial composer who has worked on projects such as I Don't Know How She Does It, Baby Mama, and The Hangover Part II.
- Rainey Qualley: Model, musical artist, and actress who has appeared in films such as That's What I Am and television series like Southland, Mad Men, and Fear the Walking Dead.
- Meg Spacek: Freelance journalist and social activist who has written extensively about gender inequality, the psychological impacts of police violence, and the modern prison industrial complex.
- John Spacek: Director, cinematographer, editor, and photographer whose experience spans documentary, narrative, commercial, live event, and music video work.
- Laura Spacek: Experimental filmmaker and cinematographer whose work has shown in multiple festivals, including the Ann Arbor Film Festival and the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
- Robert Spacek: Actor of films, television, and commercials, recognized for his roles in season four of Netflix's The Defenders and the film Betas.
- Sharon Spacek: Former dancer on Broadway, choreographer, and director who contributed to stage productions such as The Wiz, Pippin, and Guys and Dolls.