View Message

This is a reply within a larger thread: view the whole thread

[Surname] Re: Korczak
in reply to a message by Menke
No, they're Czech not Polish, I wondered if there were correlating words in Polish. Sounds like it could be a place name with all the -ow endings.---------------------------------------
770555
vote up1vote down

Replies

Korczak is Polish for a wineglass, but I imagine the surname predates the use of glass for drinking vessels. An etymological dictonary might be useful here.
There is a place in Ukraine called Korchak (near Zhitomir), but a surname from that should be Korczacki. Also the word korshak is Ukrainian for eagle.
What I'm sure is relevant is that Korczak is a Polish "herb" name, but I don't want to tie myself in knots trying to explain what a "herb" is. I'll just say it's not botanical.
vote up1vote down
The suffix -ak is apparently commonly used as an occuapational suffix in Polish names. I can't possibly thing of the connection between the 'herbs' you talk of though. ; )
---------------------------------------
770555
vote up1vote down
I knew I'd regret mentioning the herb.
Usually translated into English as "coat of arms". Herby are sort of clan insignia used by groups of families with no other known connection. Each herb has a name, sometimes related to the insignia - swan, axe, boat; sometimes not - bowel, wisdom, youth, pain.
Some of these herb names are found as surnames; Niezgoda ("discord") for instance, and Korczak. It may be coincidence or it may be a deliberate choice of herb as surname. I don't know, but I thought it worth mentioning in relation to the surname Korczak.
vote up1vote down