Surname Polazek - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Polazek: What does the surname Polazek mean?
The last name Polazek is a Polish surname of noble, aristocratic origin. It is derived from the word Politica and literally means “one of the noble clan” or “of the gentry.” This surname originated in the region of Galicia, a former province of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire comprising parts of today’s Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Romania.
The Polazek family has a long, distinguished history. It is believed to be one of the oldest, most prestigious noble families in the region. Through marriage, the family entered the Austrian-Hungarian nobility in the early 1600s. Some members of the family owned large landed estates and held prominent positions in local, regional, and national political organizations.
One prominent member of the Polazek family was Countess Paulina Polazek, a noted writer and folklorist. Countess Paulina was the first female Polish author to publish multiple volumes of poems and ballads. Her publications included tales of Russian-Polish wars, peasant life, and ancient traditions.
The Polazek coat of arms -- a crest with a fir tree, a sinister wolf passant, and a falcon on the top -- is also symbolic of the family. Today, many people with variations of the surname ‘Polazek’ still carry the symbolism of the crest and maintain a sense of aristocratic pride in their heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisPolazek: Where does the name Polazek come from?
The last name Polazek is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe. It is most popular in Poland, but can also be found in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Russia. It is not as common in other parts of the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
The surname is of Slavic origin, derived from the old-Slavic personal name Poleszek. It is said to refer to Poles who originally lived in the area that is now parts of Western Ukraine and parts of Belarus, which was part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The name is thought to mean ‘son of Pole’, which is a nickname for a Polish person. The name may also have roots in the old-Slavic word ‘polazek’, which refers to a kind of soft, furry material, possibly to reflect a certain trait of one of the family’s first members.
The name Polazek is still common today throughout Central and Eastern Europe, with many modern-day families living in various countries in the region tracing their roots back to ancestors with the same name. It is possible to find some families bearing the name outside of the traditional region, though this is much less common. In the United States, for example, the name may be encountered occasionally, but for the most part it is an uncommon last name.
Variations of the surname Polazek
Polazek is a surname of Slavic origin and is derived from the personal names Paul and Pola. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Paulazak, Paulaski, Paulski, Pauzak, Pauzski, Pollazak, Pollaski, Pollasky, Pollazki, and Polacek. It is likely that all variations have the same ethnographic origin and could have been derived from a language spoken by people in the Eastern European, Balkan, or Slavic countries.
The surnames Paulazak, Paulaski, and Paulski are believed to be derived from the personal name Paul. This is the Slavic version of the name Paul, which in Greek means “small”. The surnames Pauzak, Pauzski, Pollazak, Pollaski, Pollasky, and Polacek all are likely related to the personal name Pola, derived from the Greek word meaning “many”.
Polazek may be a patronymic form of the name derived from either Paul or Pola, depending on the family's origin. It is also possible that the spelling Polazek is a diminutive form of any of these personal names; such forms can be created by adding a suffix, such as “-azek” or “-lazek” to the name. It is common in many Slavic languages for surnames to be derived from personal names, so it is likely that all of these surnames have the same origin and can be traced back to either Paul or Pola.
Famous people with the name Polazek
- Carl Polazek: Carl is an American composer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California. He has composed music for a variety of films and television shows including The Social Network, The Hunger Games, and The Vampire Diaries.
- Nicole Polazek: Nicole is an American actress and comedian from Yonkers, New York. She has appeared on Grandslam and Poe Little Chicks and has been featured in numerous films such as The Parent Trap.
- Daniel Polazek: Daniel is an American athlete from Washington, D.C., specializing in mountain biking and BMX. He has competed in X Games, Red Bull Rampage, and Crankworx.
- Tracie Polazek: Tracie is a professional dancer from Chicago, Illinois. She is the founder of The groover and PopMove Dance Studio, and has performed with companies such as The Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance, and Cirque du Soleil.
- Robert Polazek: Robert is a musician from Akron, Ohio. He has released several solo albums and is a member of the band Speak Easy. He also plays the guitar, mandolin, and harmonica.
- Mariola Polazek: Mariola is an Canadian fashion and lifestyle blogger, based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. She is best known for hosting workshops on style, wardrobe, and travel.