Surname Znidar - Meaning and Origin
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Znidar: What does the surname Znidar mean?
The last name Znidar is a Slovenian name of Slavic origin, most likely derived from a word that meant "edge, cliff, or precipice". It is believed to be an occupational surname given to someone who lived near or worked at a cliff or ravine. As such, people with the last name Znidar may have been involved in forestry or agriculture, most likely logging. The surname is common in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and is distributed throughout central Europe.
The origins of the name may also tie into metaphors for strength and boldness. Znidar could mean “united” or “brave” in dialects of the Slovene language, and could be used to symbolize courage in a harsh landscape. The bold cliffs, forests and mountain ranges of central Europe were integral to its people’s lives, both practically and spiritually, and it’s possible this is where the name originated from.
Throughout the years, the name has most likely been modified and transcribed in different forms, such as Snedar, Snider, and Znider. Some other variations of the last name are Snidarich, Znidarich, and Zniderich. While the spelling of the last name may have changed over the centuries, the meaning remains constant. Some Znidar family names even include a reference to their place of origin. Slavic people would often add the name of a geographic feature, such as a river or forest, to the end of family names to denote the area they were from.
No matter how its spelling may have changed, the last name Znidar is a nod to a bold and rugged past. It is a last name steeped in tradition and strength, and represents the courage of those who worked and lived in and around the vast forests and cliff faces of central Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisZnidar: Where does the name Znidar come from?
The surname Znidar is most commonly found today in the Central European countries of Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, and the Czech Republic. The surname has been found in records dating back to 1223 in what is now the modern-day Slovenian region.
In Croatia, Znidar is the 24th most common surname. It is particularly common in the northern and eastern regions of Croatia, mainly in and around Zagreb, the country's capital. Records suggest that it has also been used as far back as the 16th century in Croatia.
Slovenia is the country with the highest concentration of persons bearing the surname Znidar, where it is the 19th most common surname. Other Slovenian regions where it is commonly found include Gorenjska and Carinthia.
In Austria, Znidar is not quite as common, ranking 122nd among the surnames in that country. It is mainly found in the states of Vienna and Styria.
The Czech Republic also contains people with the surname Znidar. Here, it is the 233rd most common surname, mainly located in the regions of Prague, Usti, and Central Bohemia.
Altogether, Znidar is primarily found in Central European countries and has a long, rich history in these nations. In recent years, many people bearing the surname have spread to other parts of the world, although the majority can still be found in its nations of origin.
Variations of the surname Znidar
The surname Znidar is of Croatian origin and is derived from the word ‘znidar’ meaning ‘skilled in making locks’. It is also spelled as Znider and Znidarsic and variants include Znyders, Znydersic, Zniderovic, Znydersic, Zninaric, Zninarovic, Znydir, Znydersky, Znyderone and Znydersky.
These surnames are all of the same origin, derived from the original Croatian word. Surnames derived from Znidar can be found both in Croatia and in areas with a significant Croatian population, such as parts of Europe and the Americas.
Most of these surnames were likely adopted in the early 19th Century when mass emigration of Croatians began. Those who bore the Znidar surname at the time were skilled locksmiths, so the name came to represent an occupation.
Another variant of the surname, Znydersky, is found mainly among people of Italian descent living in Canada. As Croatia and the surrounding countries were ruled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire for much of the 18th and 19th centuries, families with this name likely moved to areas of Italian influence during that time and adopted this version of the surname.
Although Znidar is a unique surname, its variants are found all over the world. Those who bear the surname today can trace their roots back to their Croatian origins.
Famous people with the name Znidar
- Misty Znidar: beauty entrepreneur and founder of beauty product brand MZ Beauty.
- David Znidar: Former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the San Diego Padres.
- Chris Znidar: Award-winning American sportswriter and author who wrote the book A Fan’s Guide to Baseball Analytics.
- Peter M. Znidar: Member of the Ohio House of Representatives.
- Zoraida Znidar: Spanish actress known for playing Saramanta in the television series Amar en tiempos revueltos.
- Gabor Znidar: Austrian professional football player and coach.
- Arn Znidar: Prolific Slovenian skier who competed in three Olympic Games and won the country's first ever Olympic medal.
- Robert Znidar Jr.: Popular American stock car racer often called “The Wild Thing”.
- Stephen Znidar: Professional ice hockey player who played for the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1995-96 season.
- Bobby Znidar: Football player for the Clemson Tigers from 1987-89.