Surname Nemecek - Meaning and Origin

Nemecek: What does the surname Nemecek mean?

The last name Nemecek is thought to be of Czech origin. It is derived from a Czech word meaning “bare” or “naked” and likely stems from an occupational name for someone who worked in the leather trade, often referred to as a “bare man” (as in, someone who worked with bare hands). Alternatively, it may have been a nickname for someone who often went barefoot.

The surname first appears in records dating back to the 15th century when Tomas Nemecek was listed as an inhabitant of a village in southwestern Bohemia. From there, it spread across the region and then, over the centuries, migrated with its bearers to more distant areas of the Czech Republic.

It is now relatively common throughout the Czech Republic, as well as other areas of Central and Eastern Europe, such as Poland, Slovakia and Austria. It is also found in the United States, Canada, and even Australia.

The meaning of the surname has remained the same for many centuries since its historic origins – “bare” or “naked”. This is an interesting reminder of the past, to the days when leather workers could be referred to as “bare men.” Its popularity over the centuries is testament to the remarkable strength of the Nemecek family, as well as their dedicated commitment to their ancestral land.

Nemecek: Where does the name Nemecek come from?

The surname Nemecek is most commonly found in the Czech Republic today, making it one of the most geographically concentrated surnames in the world. Records of the name date back to the 1400s when it was first used to refer to a person from the village of Němčice in The Czech Republic. Those with the Nemecek name are likely to benefit from links to this medieval past, as many of the original families still live in the area today.

Within the Czech Republic, the Nemecek surname is particularly prevalent in the South Bohemian region, the Western Bohemian and Central Bohemian regions. Exactly half of all records for Nemeceks appear in the South Bohemian region, showing it to be the home of the most widespread number of the name's descendants. The rest of the concentration is split roughly evenly between the two remaining regions.

The name is also widely used around other parts of Europe, including Slovakia and Hungary, as well as North America. Those who trace their heritage back to The Czech Republic are likely to find more recent immigrants dispersed around the United States and Canada.

No matter where they live, those of the Nemecek name can take pride in being part of a history stretching back hundreds of years. With a strong following in The Czech Republic and other parts of Europe, the name remains a widely-used and recognisable surname.

Variations of the surname Nemecek

The surname Nemecek is a Czech and Slovak variation of the Slavic name Nemec. The core of this surname alludes to the word ‘neme’, which stands for ‘a foreigner’ or ‘stranger’ in Czech. Therefore, this surname can refer to an individual who is from a foreign land or is foreign-born.

Most commonly, this surname is found in its traditional Czech and Slovak spelling as Nemecek. However, other spellings and variations of this surname can be found, such as Nemeczek, Nemetschek, Nemeczk, Nemeczky, Nemezek, Nemezeky, Nemecsek, Nemecek, and Nemezsik.

The surname Nemecek can also take on a variety of surnames derived from it. These include Nemec, Nemecz, Nemecsek, Nemetschek, Nemeceky, Nemeske, Nemeczek, and Nemeszek.

Additionally, some descendants of the original Nemecek line have adopted surnames to denote their region or a given profession, such as Czech (Cehak), Handicraft (Jakubec), or Artisan (Uher).

In some cases, the surname has been modified over time as families moved and intermarried with other cultures. Examples of this transfiguration of the surname are Nephazelick, Nemeth, Nemethova, and Nemecevich.

Overall, the surname Nemecek is associated with a long history and holds many different variations and spellings across different cultures.

Famous people with the name Nemecek

• Derek Nemecek: American entrepreneur and syndicated columnist who has been a leading figure in the FinTech industry for the past two decades.
• Eric Nemecek: A U.S. marine doctor and decorated veteran who now serves as a clinical psycho-physicist for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Eva Nemecek: Slovak actress, best known for her roles in film, television, and theater.
• John Nemecek: Professional hockey player who was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the fourth round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
• Kristen Nemecek: Author and editor, recognized for her work in both fiction and non-fiction.
• Matthew Nemecek: American discus thrower who won the silver medal in the 2005 World Indoor Championships.
• Pavel Nemecek: Czech professional footballer who has played for clubs including MŠK Žilina, FC Hradec Králové, and FK Fotbal Třinec.
• Richard Nemecek: American chess grandmaster, theory researcher, and chess coach who earned his grandmaster title in 2007.
• Ted Nemecek: Australian Olympic short track speed skater who competed in the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
• Tony Nemecek: Actor and voice artist who has provided the voice of characters in video games like Kingdom Hearts, Halo: Combat Evolved, and Call of Duty: Finest Hour.

Other surnames

NemecNemeczek