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[Surname] Korczak
I'm wondering if anyone knows any information on the last name Korczak. It's Polish I believe.Thank you.
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all i can say is that #-ak# is a diminutive and that Korcz is also a surname.
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Do you think that it may possibly be related to the Czech word 'korec' meaning "bucket" or 'kore?ek' meaning "windmill"?---------------------------------------
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This message was edited 8/3/2005, 8:16 AM

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On page 166-67 of "A Dictionary of Jewish Names and their History," by Benzion C. Kaganoff (1977) is the main entry KORSHAK: (H) or (O) Either from the Ukrainian word "eagle," which would make the name an equivalent of Adler, or from Korczak, which in Polish is "wine glass." This may indicate a sign on a tavern or roadside inn and the name was assumed by its owner.The abbreviation H denotes a house sign name and O denotes an occupational name.Reg Niles
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Perhaps the Polish "korek" meaning cork?
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i don't know, they're definitely not Polish words, but there is the surname Korecz (Hungarian though) and Korc i tried as well.Here is a list of places with Korcz:
Korczew
Korczmin
Korczowa
Korczowiska
Korczyn
Korczyna
Korczyska
Korczów
Korczówka
Korczówka Kolonia
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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
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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.
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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. ; )
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770555
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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.
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