Surname Svec - Meaning and Origin
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Svec: What does the surname Svec mean?
The last name Svec is a surname of Czech origin. It is derived from the word svěc which means ‘candle’ or ‘light’ in the Czech language. The name is likely derived from an ancestor who was a candle maker, or had some sort of connection to the production, trade, or use of candles. In some cases, the name may also have originated as a nickname for someone who had very bright eyes or hair.
The surname can be found in many countries around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Poland, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. In the United States, the name can be found most commonly in the declared state of Minnesota.
Most people who carry the last name Svec typically are of Czech or Slovak heritage. It is often associated with the Christian faith, specifically Roman Catholicism, though many persons of various other faiths and no faith at all may also carry the surname.
The literal meaning of the surname is a ‘light’, and it is possible that the name was given to someone who was seen as an illumination to those in their community due to their character, mannerisms, or even their physical features. Nonetheless, it is a highly common name, and as such there are much debate over its exact origin and meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisSvec: Where does the name Svec come from?
The last name Svec is most commonly found today in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Croatia, and other Slavic countries. This name is derived from the Slavic word sve, which means ‘one’ or ‘alone’. It is widely assumed that the surname was given to families from outside their respective villages and signified outsiders.
The Svec surname is found in many places abroad for similar reasons. Specifically, the name is common in the United States and Canada where many immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe resettled in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In addition, the name is found in the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Germany, and other countries around the world.
In the United States, Svec is the 12,539th most common name according to the 1990 census. In the Czech Republic, Svec is the 5,723rd most common name according to the 2015 population census.
The Svec surname has been in existence for centuries and is a testament to the diasporic journeys of many Eastern European families. This family name has traveled from its pre-modern roots to be shared by people in many countries across the world.
Variations of the surname Svec
The surname Svec is derived from the Slavic word “Svac” which means “brave”. Variations of the surname include Svek, Sveck, Svecs, Svecka, Svecova, Svecov, Svecjak, Svecji, and Svecak.
One of the variants of Svec is Svek, which is thought to be a modified version of the original Slavic spelling. This name is found especially in Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus. It is also seen in Romania and the Czech Republic.
Sveck is another variant of Svec that originates from the same Slavic root, but is more commonly seen in Poland. It can also be found in areas of Austria and Slovakia. It is usually spelled Szwec, though variants exist in other countries such as Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia.
Svecs is an uncommon spelling of the original spelling, found mainly among those of Hungarian descent. It is thought to be a version of the original with a slight spelling alteration.
Svecka is a less popular variant of the Svec surname. It is most often seen in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bulgaria. In some cases, the spelling Sveca is also seen.
Svecova is another variant of the Svec surname which is found mainly in Russia and the Baltic region. It is very closely related to Svecka, but the spelling differs slightly owing to the different pronunciations of the name in different regions.
Svecov is another spelling of the surname found mainly in Slovakia. In some cases, it is also found in Romania and Hungary. It originates from the same Slavic root words as Svec.
Svecjak, Svecji, and Svecak are all variants of the surname Svec that are found in Croatia.
Lastly, Svecc is an uncommon spelling of the original Svec surname, found mainly in Russia. This variant likely derives from the same original Slavic root as all the other variants.
Famous people with the name Svec
- Joseph Svec: Health Care Executive and Member of the National Academy of Medicine.
- Koozhangov Svec: Olympic Gold Medalist in Gymnastics and Physicist.
- Eva Svec: Former Member of the Czech Parliament and Human Rights Activist.
- Julie Svec: Professional Volleyball Player and Czech National Team Member.
- Sue Svec: Policy Analyst and Political Commentator.
- Richard Svec: Musician and Singer-Songwriter.
- Mark Svec: Former Professional Soccer Player.
- John Svec: Graphic Artist and Web Developer.
- Petar Svec: Professional Golfer and Czech National Team Member.
- František Svec: Captain of the Czechoslovakian Paralympic Team.
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Comments or additions to the name "Svec"
13.06.2024
My fthers name was SVEC changed to SVETZ.