Re: history of surname "Hoponick"
in reply to a message by Charls
Some thoughts on the surname Haponiuk -
Although it does occur in Poland I suspect it originated in either Belarus or Ukraine; or possibly among the 'Ruthenians' living in Poland.
It looks to me like a patronymic from the name Gapon, a Russian and Orthodox male name that would be prononced with an initial H sound among the peoples mentioned above.
I believe that Gapon is a variant of Agafon, ultimatly deriving from the Greek Agathon, meaning 'good'. This name would have been found among people of Orthodox or Uniate communities, rather than among Catholic Poles.
Although it does occur in Poland I suspect it originated in either Belarus or Ukraine; or possibly among the 'Ruthenians' living in Poland.
It looks to me like a patronymic from the name Gapon, a Russian and Orthodox male name that would be prononced with an initial H sound among the peoples mentioned above.
I believe that Gapon is a variant of Agafon, ultimatly deriving from the Greek Agathon, meaning 'good'. This name would have been found among people of Orthodox or Uniate communities, rather than among Catholic Poles.