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Did the last name Korcsak (Hungarian, accent on the "a") originate from the Polish/Czec name Korczak? If not, where did it originate from, is it Hebrew? And what does it mean?
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Korcsak Name History (not confirmed)
Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair).
Keep in mind the middle age Europe had numerous long lasting wars / conflicts that caused intensive migration of it's citizens until the modern establishment of statehood brough more stability. The Korcsak name might originate from Poland through migration. Also remember that illiteretness was high that time so the spelling of names could alter largely especially for the less priviliged ones. Bur R to L, spell the same in Cyrillic, Polish or Hungarian and there you are.
In the history of Russian Civil War (1919) the White Army was led by Admiral Alexander Kolchak, that might be just another form of the same name.
Similar surnames: Kozak, Korsak, Korczak, Olczak, Barczak, Sobczak, Konczal, Kopchak, Tomczak etc..
Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair).
Keep in mind the middle age Europe had numerous long lasting wars / conflicts that caused intensive migration of it's citizens until the modern establishment of statehood brough more stability. The Korcsak name might originate from Poland through migration. Also remember that illiteretness was high that time so the spelling of names could alter largely especially for the less priviliged ones. Bur R to L, spell the same in Cyrillic, Polish or Hungarian and there you are.
In the history of Russian Civil War (1919) the White Army was led by Admiral Alexander Kolchak, that might be just another form of the same name.
Similar surnames: Kozak, Korsak, Korczak, Olczak, Barczak, Sobczak, Konczal, Kopchak, Tomczak etc..
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I think it must be an import. There is a Hungarian word, KORCS, meaning "half-breed", but that's probably coincidence. I didn't know there was a Czech version of this name, that can only add to the confusion regarding its origin.
As for the meaning I've seen several explanations, none of them satisfactory; from a word for a tree-stump, a wooden shovel or scoop, wine-glass.
Is it Hebrew? I don't think so. Is it a Jewish name? Apart from Janusz Korczak, who was born Henryk Goldszmit, I don't know of any Jewish Korczaks.
As for the meaning I've seen several explanations, none of them satisfactory; from a word for a tree-stump, a wooden shovel or scoop, wine-glass.
Is it Hebrew? I don't think so. Is it a Jewish name? Apart from Janusz Korczak, who was born Henryk Goldszmit, I don't know of any Jewish Korczaks.
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I believe the word korcs is unrelated - Hungarian surnames, unlike those of other countries, very rarely have negative meanings. Of course I'm not a linguist, but I could see Korcsák coming from the Czech Korczak; the Czech "cz" and the Hungarian "cs" indicate the same sound AFAIK.
Budgerigars, ceiling fans, the Times of India are all part of the luggage I brought into the world... Blue Jesus leaked into me; and Mary's desperation, and Joseph's revolutionary wildness, and the flightiness of Alice Pereira... all these made me, too.
(Midnight's Children)
Budgerigars, ceiling fans, the Times of India are all part of the luggage I brought into the world... Blue Jesus leaked into me; and Mary's desperation, and Joseph's revolutionary wildness, and the flightiness of Alice Pereira... all these made me, too.
(Midnight's Children)
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I read in an earlier post on this site (way, way earlier) that the name "Korshak" is listed in "A Dictionary of Jewish names and their History". Could they be related?
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I've wondered about that too. If memory serves Korshak is Ukrainian and means "eagle". There might be some sort of connection with the German Adler, which is also a Jewish surname. I've always thought of Korczak as a Polish name, but not one adopted by Jews. It seems this may not be the case.
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