Surname Szarek - Meaning and Origin
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Szarek: What does the surname Szarek mean?
The last name Szarek is of Polish origin and is derived from the word 'szar' or 'szary,' meaning 'gray.' The surname was originally used as a descriptive nickname for a person with gray hair, clothing, or a gray complexion. It may also have referred to someone who lived in an area where the predominant soil or clothing was of a gray color.
In some cases, the last name Szarek may also have been derived from the Polish word for “hunt” or “hunter” (szary), either as a nickname for an avid hunter or from a family of hunters.
Szarek is a very common name in Poland, especially in the Silesian (Upper Silesia) region. During the 19th century, many Polish people migrated to the United States, bringing the surname Szarek with them. As such, it is most common among descendants of Polish immigrants.
The Szarek surname is also present in some other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly Lithuania, Belarus, and the Ukraine. It is an uncommon surname in the rest of the world.
The Szarek name is often pronounced “Sa-rek.” It is the most common spelling, but variations may also appear, such as Szarecki and Szarik.
Order DNA origin analysisSzarek: Where does the name Szarek come from?
The surname Szarek is most commonly found in Eastern and Central Europe. It is most prevalent in Poland, with records indicating that it is the 42nd most common surname in the country. In Poland, the name is ordinarily spelled Szarek. Outside of Poland, variants of the name are found and pronounced differently, including Szarik, Szarka, Szarecki, and Szaryk.
The next most popular region for the surname is Ukraine, where Szarek is the 227th most common surname. It is followed closely by Alexandra, Germany; Slovakia; Slovenia; and the Czech Republic. Outside of Europe, Szarek has spread to Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the United States, the surname is found mainly in Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and Massachusetts. The 2010 US census found that there were 2,544 individuals with the surname Szarek living in America.
While the Szarek surname has its roots in Eastern and Central Europe, it has spread much further. Through immigration and cultural exchange, it has become a global name. Its prevalence in the Polish language has likely contributed to its spread, as the language has historical ties to many of the regions where the surname is common today.
Variations of the surname Szarek
Szarek is a Polish patronymic surname derived from the given name Szarek or from the given name Szar and the diminutive ending -ek. The name has many other variants and spellings depending upon the region where it is found. Common variants include Szarik, Sarik, Szara, Sayers, Seraks, Szarka, Szarke, Sherak, Szarki, Szorich, Saarik, Szaarik, Szeryk, Szarak, Szeroka, Zerka, Searock, Sergeyk, Zyrka, Sarkissian, Świerk, Szaruga, Cyra, Szarocki, Szarkoczy, Szerczy, and Szorich.
Surnames of similar origin include Świerszcz, Świderski, and Świątek, which all come from the Polish given name Świerk or the Polish diminutive Świerszcz. Other similar surnames include Szarski, Świerczyński and Świerkoczewski, which come from the Polish given name Świerszcz or diminutive Świerki, and Szarko and Szara, which come from the Polish given name Szarka or Szara.
Szarek is found in many countries, including in Poland, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. Variants of Szarek can be found in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and in other countries of Central and Eastern Europe. In the United States, the surname is found mainly in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Illinois. Other variants like Sarik and Scherak can also be found in the United States.
Famous people with the name Szarek
- Nastassja Szarek: Polish model and former Miss World Poland.
- Adam Szarek: Polish politician and Member of European Parliament.
- Samuel Szarek: Canadian artist who has exhibited his work in galleries worldwide.
- Czesław Szarek: Polish actor who is best known for roles in movies and television shows in Poland.
- Katarzyna Szarek: Polish author, lecturer, and theatre director, whose works have been translated into many languages worldwide.
- Agnieszka Szarek: Polish politician, member of the Sejm,the lower house of the Polish parliament.
- Justyna Szarek: Polish singer and songwriter, winner of the Idols 11 and Voice of Poland.
- Krzysztof Szarek: Polish footballer who played for many clubs including Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and SC Heerenveen.
- Michał Szarek: Polish businessman and entrepreneur who serves as the president of the Polish Business Roundtable.
- Tomasz Szarek: Polish footballer who played for many clubs including Lech Poznan and Korona Kielce.