Surname Wokurka - Meaning and Origin
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Wokurka: What does the surname Wokurka mean?
The last name Wokurka is a Polish surname and it has eastern origins. It is derived from the Slavic word “wok” or “wók”, which means a curved piece of wood. This surname was frequently given to woodworkers or carpenters. It is possible that the surname Wokurka started off as a nickname for someone who was especially talented with woodworking or carpentry. Over time, it became the last name of the people in that family.
The Wokurka surname is very rare in Poland and there is very little information about its history. There are only a few hundred people in the country with that last name. However, it is more common elsewhere in Europe, including Germany, Austria, and even the United States.
The Wokurka surname is often seen as a sign of good luck, as its translation is associated with a sturdy and reliable form of craftsmanship. People with this surname may be thought to be hardworking, creative individuals who enjoy the satisfaction of creating something with their hands. They may also be seen as people of integrity and resilience.
Order DNA origin analysisWokurka: Where does the name Wokurka come from?
The last name Wokurka is most commonly found in Central and Eastern European countries. Specifically it is most prevalent in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine. The name is derived from the German word "wokringleiter" which translates to “wagon engineer".
The first records of the name date back to the Middle Ages when wagon engineers were a common profession. It was around this time that the name Wokurka began to appear on official records. The original spelling varied from record to record, but by the 1800s the spelling had stabilized and most records refer to the name as “Wokurka”.
By the early 20th century, the name had spread throughout Central and Eastern Europe with Wokurka families found in large cities like Prague, Warsaw, and Lviv. The name is still common today, especially in Poland and the Czech Republic. Outside of Europe, the name has a much smaller presence with Wokurka families established in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Overall, the name Wokurka is most associated with Central and Eastern Europe, particularly the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine. It is still relatively common today, and though its use may have diminished from its peak in the 19th century, it is still recognizable in parts of Europe.
Variations of the surname Wokurka
The variants of the surname Wokurka are Wokurka, Wocurka, Vokurka, Wokurko, Wokurko, Wokurka-Ostrowski, Vokurka-Ostrowski, Wokurka-Ostrowski and Wokurski. Wokurka is a Polish surname derived from the word “wokór” which means “corner”. It is an occupational surname, derived from the occupation of a “dweller of the corner” in the Middle Ages. The surname also has an associated patronymic that was added to distinguish families, which would produce additional surnames such as Wokurka-Ostrowski and Wokurski.
The surnames Wokurka, Wocurka and Vokurka represent the same original surname, but each form has slightly different spellings. Wokurka is the simplest form of the surname, while Wocurka is a slightly changed spelling, and Vokurka is a Polish spelling for the name.
The variation Wokurko appears when the surname is used as a diminutive. Diminutives are used in this manner to indicate endearment or familiarity with the individual who bears the surname.
The addition of the patronymic “-Ostrowski” to the surnames Wokurka and Vokurka produced the surnames Wokurka-Ostrowski and Vokurka-Ostrowski. This further distinguished individual families from each other who likely lived in close proximity to one another. The surname “Wokurski” was most likely derived from the patronymic “-Ostrowski” as well.
In general, the surnames Wokurka, Wocurka, Vokurka, Wokurko, Wokurka-Ostrowski, Vokurka-Ostrowski and Wokurski all have the same origin and refer to the occupation of the “dweller of the corner”. This job is no longer in use, but the surname remains as a reminder of its medieval roots.
Famous people with the name Wokurka
- Hugo Wokurka, journalist and author from Germany
- Pavel Wokurka, Czech sculptor affiliated with the Cubist movement
- Jakub Wokurka, Czech modernist painter
- Hugo Wokurka, German landscape and figure painter
- Zygfryd Wokurka, Polish painter
- J. Wolfgang Wokurka, Austrian painter
- Michael Wokurka, German photographer
- Laura Wokurka, Belgian modernist painter
- Benno Wokurka, German painter from the Expressionist Movement
- Wilhelm Wokurka, German non-objective painter and sculptor