Re: the meaning of surname PUSKAS
in reply to a message by Anonymous
Please note that the Hungarian PUSKAS is heard exactly as Polish PUSZKASZ and PUSZKARZ or near the English PUSHKASH.
So, if there is a Polish word Puszkarz meaning "gunsmith" or "gunman", then it is probable that the Hungarian family name PUSKAS is borrowed from Polish.
So, if there is a Polish word Puszkarz meaning "gunsmith" or "gunman", then it is probable that the Hungarian family name PUSKAS is borrowed from Polish.
Replies
Puszkarz does mean 'gunsmith, gunner', but also 'maker of boxes'. I think this meaning may be the older. In German, Buechse means both 'box' and 'rifle'. In Dutch, bus has the same two meanings. So there does seem to exist a link between 'box' and 'gun'.
Given the similarity between 'Puszk' (the -arz ending denotes an occupation) and Latin 'Pyx(-is, late Latin Buxis)' I think it is reasonable to conclude that this name derives from a Latin word for box.
Given the similarity between 'Puszk' (the -arz ending denotes an occupation) and Latin 'Pyx(-is, late Latin Buxis)' I think it is reasonable to conclude that this name derives from a Latin word for box.