Surname Martinec - Meaning and Origin
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Martinec: What does the surname Martinec mean?
The last name Martinec comes from the Czech word “martinec” which translates literally to little Martin. It is derived from a personal name or nickname likely given to a small, dark haired boy by a loved one. Historically, it was popularized by the children of St. Martin. The surname appears to have originated in Bohemia and is still common in Czech-speaking parts of Eastern Europe. Today, the surname is primarily found in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, and Hungary.
As the surname originated centuries ago, it has taken on various meanings across different cultures. In Bohemia, it was linked to a local legend about a brave man named Martin who rescued a young woman from a dragon. The spelling of the surname could also have been influenced by its phonetic similarity to the Czech word for “marten”. In Hungary, the name was used to denote someone who was blessed with a religious vision or saintly behaviour. In Lithuania, the surname retains the original meaning of “little Martin”.
Overall, the surname Martinec is rich with cultural and linguistic history. It could have been chosen to celebrate a beloved son, commemorate a legendary act of bravery, or simply to refer to someone’s stature. Whatever the case may be, the name continues to be shared and celebrated by generations of families around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMartinec: Where does the name Martinec come from?
The last name Martinec is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe, mainly in Slovakia and Czech Republic. It is also found in Austria, Hungary, and Poland along with other countries in that region. It can be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, where people of various European backgrounds have migrated.
Most of the Martinec family line is centred around the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The family is believed to have originated in a small settlement near the city of Vrchlabi in Northern Bohemia. This area is known to have had a high concentration of the Martinec family before the 19th century when many people began to migrate from Europe to other countries.
The Martinec name can be traced back in history from the 11th century. The earliest records show a Jan Martinec living in the Czech Republic in the year 1059. It is possible that the last name changed over time due to various socio-economic and geopolitical factors.
The name Martinec is a good example of a name that has been carried on throughout the centuries from one continent to multiple countries, and has held a place in history for much of this time. This family name, although not as common today as it once was, has and still is a significant part of European culture.
Variations of the surname Martinec
The surname Martinec is of Slovenian origin and is derived from the personal name Martin. Variants and alternate spellings of this surname include Martinecz, Martina, Martinek, Martini, Martinelli, and Martino. Variations in spelling occurred due to the influence of local dialects and translation from one language to another. In addition to the Slovenian-based variants, the surname Martinec may also be found in other countries, including Croatia, Serbia, Austria, and Hungary, under the alternate spellings Martinič and Martinić. These spellings are often pronounced in a similar manner.
In the United States, some bearers of the surname Martinec may have modified the spelling to Martinic or Martinich. Similarly, many Italian-American descendants of the original bearers of the surname Martinec have also changed the spelling slightly to Martini.
Many families bearing the surname Martinec may have taken on additional surnames throughout their migrations. For example, some families with Slovenian or Italian heritage may have added the surnames Suchecki, such as those of the original bearer of the surname Martin Suchecki. Similarly, the surname Martinez originated from the Italian language, and may have been adopted by some Martinec families.
Therefore, while the surname Martinec carries the same base meaning across its various languages and variations, due to the influence of other cultures and languages, the spelling of the name has changed, giving rise to many different variants and spellings.
Famous people with the name Martinec
- Dan Martinec: Czech footballer
- Zoyx Martinec: Venezuelan footballer
- Zdravko Martinec: Croatian footballer
- Jaroslav Martinec: Slovak footballer
- Richard Martinec: Czech professional ice hockey player
- Ivan Martinec: Czech actor
- Vojtech Martinec: Czech ice hockey player
- Adam Martinec: Slovak ice hockey player
- Karel Martinec: Czech professional ice hockey player
- Bridgette Martinec: Australian field hockey player
- Vaclav Martinec: Czech footballer
- Vladimir Martinec: Czech rower
- Patrik Martinec: Slovak basketball player
- David Martinec: Czech footballer
- Peter Martinec: Canadian contemporary artist