Surname Jelinek - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'J'
Jelinek: What does the surname Jelinek mean?
The last name Jelinek is a Czech surname, thought to have come from the Czech word "jelen" which translates to 'deer' in English. It is likely that this name began as a form of nickname or descriptive name given to somebody with deer-like characteristics such as a large stature, deer-like horns or facial features that suggested a resemblance to a deer.
The Czech Republic has a long and proud history of surnames, going back hundreds of years. The origins of many of these surnames are based on factors such as locality, profession, status or parental relationships. Therefore, Jelinek may have also been used to denote someone who lived in or was from a place that was associated with deer in some way, such as a forest or pasture land.
The name Jelinek is relatively common in the Czech Republic today; it is estimated that 1 in every 4000 people in that region have this last name. This makes it both fairly common and wide-spread, and is indicative of the diverse ancestry and history of the country.
In modern times, the name Jelinek is commonly thought to be associated with positive traits such as strength, intelligence and a good sense of humor, and people with this surname are often proud of their ancestry. Indeed, the name Jelinek is seen as a representation of strength, wisdom and courage, as many who havewithstood difficult times in the past and come out triumphant.
Order DNA origin analysisJelinek: Where does the name Jelinek come from?
The last name Jelinek is commonly found in the Czech Republic, as well as in other Central European countries such as Austria, Hungary, Germany, and Slovakia. In addition, the surname has also spread further to countries around the world such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Brazil, thanks to the diaspora of people from Central European countries.
The origins of Jelinek are believed to date back to the Middle Ages, with the original spelling being "Jelineck." The name has since evolved over time, and today there are many different spellings including Jelinek, Jelínek, and Jelineck. It is derived from the Germanic surname "Hellinck," which translates to "son of a Helm," or a type of protective headgear worn by knights in battle.
Jelinek is a fairly common surname in the Czech Republic, where it ranks at number 83 in popularity. It is estimated that there are around 15,000 people with the Jelinek surname in this country. Additionally, it is the fifth most common surname in Austria among Czech-speaking people.
Jelinek is also becoming increasingly popular in other countries due to immigration of people from Central Europe. As more people move around the world, it is possible to come across this surname in countries outside of Central Europe, although it is still relatively rare compared to other surnames.
Variations of the surname Jelinek
The surname Jelinek is of Czech origin, and is derived from a given name meaning “God is gracious”. Common variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include:
Jelinek: This is the most common form of the surname.
Jelinekova: This surname is a feminine form of Jelinek.
Jelineck: This is another spelling sometimes used for the surname.
Jelenek: This is a variant spelling of Jelinek.
Jelinek-Skrivanek: This surname is another form of Jelinek, combining the surnames of two families.
Jelinecky: This is a variant spelling of Jelinek.
Jelinekova-Novotny: This surname is another form of Jelinek, combining the surnames of two families.
Jelinovic: This surname is a variant of Jelinek.
Jeleňek: This is a Czech form of Jelinek.
Jilek: This is a variant spelling of Jelinek.
Jelin: This is a variant spelling of Jelinek.
Jelinkova: This is a feminine variant of Jelinek.
Jeleňková: This is a Czech variant of Jelinek.
Jelinec: This is another form of Jelinek.
Jelínek: This is a Czech variant of Jelinek.
Famous people with the name Jelinek
- Michael Jelinek: an Australian racing cyclist
- Natalia Jelinek: a Mexican actress
- Gerhard Jelinek: an Austrian film director
- Peter Jelinek: a German former field hockey player
- Eugen Jelinek: a Czech composer
- Friede Jelinek: an Austrian theater director
- Vlasta Jelinek: a Czech folk music singer
- Elin Jelinek: a Swedish exhibition designer
- Milan Jelinek: a Czech film and theater director
- Vladimír Jelinek: Czech sculptor
- Zdeněk Jelinek: Czech photographer
- Mootee Jelinek: a Malagasy TV director
- Matěj Jelinek: a Czech association football player
- Evžen Jelínek: a Czech historian
- Tanja Jelinek: a Slovene volleyball player
- René Jelinek: a Slovakian handball coach
- Felix Jelinek: a German physicist
- Beno Jelinek: a Czech film producer
- Nora Jelinek: an American engineer
- Maureen Jelinek: an American USMC Bronze Star Recipient