Surname Malcharzik - Meaning and Origin

Malcharzik: What does the surname Malcharzik mean?

The last name Malcharzik is of Polish origin and is believed to mean ‘son of a chariot driver’. This name originates from the Latin word ‘carrus’, a general term for wagon, chariot, cart or carriage, which was used to transport people, goods, or animals. The ending "-arz" denotes an occupation while the suffix "-ik" signifies the phrase "son of".

The Malcharzik family traces its history back to the 12th century, where the first record of the name comes from an estate belonging to a family of the same name in the village of Cilisenlah, Poland. From there, the name spread across Europe and is now found mainly in the east of the continent, particularly in Germany and Poland but also in many other European countries.

The Malcharziks come from a strong, proud heritage, with a foundation in hard-working roots. The original Malcharzis were independent and industrious people and the family remains so to this day. Despite many changes over the centuries, the Malcharziks have maintained their unique identity and continue to pass down their traditions through the generations.

Malcharzik: Where does the name Malcharzik come from?

The last name Malcharzik is most common in Poland, where it is the 4,319th most common surname. There is also a slightly smaller presence in Germany, mainly in the states of Bayern, Sachsen, and Nordrhein-Westfalen.

The surname has a long history in Poland. The first records of the name Malcharzik date to the 1540s, when it was used as an occupational name by people who made malts, which is an ingredient of beer. The name is a combination of the word “malchar”, which means malt, and the patronymic suffix “-zik”, meaning “son of”.

Today, the surname is found across all of Poland’s provinces, with the highest concentrations in Masovian Voivodeship and Silesian Voivodeship. The surname is also common in many of Poland’s larger cities, such as Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Lodz, and Lublin.

Malcharzik has spread to other countries as well. In Germany, there are about 1000 people with the name Malcharzik, mainly concentrated in the states of Bayern, Sachsen, and North Rhine-Westphalia. The name is also popular in the United States, where it is estimated that around 25000 people have the surname. It is most common in the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, and Florida.

Variations of the surname Malcharzik

Malcharzik is an uncommon Polish surname. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Malcherek, Malcherik, Malcherzyk, Malkarek, Malkarzyk, Malkereczek, Malkherek, and Malkherzyk.

Malcharzik is one of the surnames with an orthography that was heavily influenced by post World War II reconstructions in Poland. The names Malcherek, Malcherik, and Malcherzyk are derived from the name Malachrewicz, a form used prior to 1945 and still used in some parts of the country today.

Malcharzik is derived from the Slavic word malec / malitch, meaning “little” or “small”. This is a common suffix in Slavic names and denotes endearment or affection. The suffix –arek, indicating a diminutive, is often tacked onto the end of the name Malcharzik, changing it to Malcherek, Malcherik, or Malcherzyk.

The addition of the suffix –arz or –ez makes the surname Malcharzik into Malcharek, Malkarzyk, and Malkherek, respectively. The use of the suffix –czek is more recent, but still fairly common, resulting in Malkareczek.

Malkherzyk is a rare variant of Malcharzik that is rarely found outside of Poland. It is believed to be derived from a combination of the two aforementioned suffixes, –arz and –ez.

In conclusion, the many variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin as the surname Malcharzik are evidence of the various orthographic transformations that the surname has undergone throughout its history.

Famous people with the name Malcharzik

• Tom Malcharzik: former professional ice hockey player best known for his playing stint for the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL in the 2000s.
• Daniel Malcharzik: professional cinematographer known for his work on films like School Spirits (2012), The Justice Pact (2015), and Wolverine: The Lost Trail (2019).
• Elsa Malcharzik: German retired competitive figure skater who won bronze medals at the 1987-88 European Figure Skating Championships and the 1990-91 German National Championships.
• Marvin Malcharzik: professional soccer player from Germany who played primarily as a defensive midfielder in the German fifth-tier and newcomer leagues during the 2000s.
• Steve Malcharzik: American professional lacrosse player who competed in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) for the Baltimore Bayhawks from 2001 to 2004.
• Kim Malcharzik: American psychologist and author who specializes in child development, parenting, and family relationships.
• Kyle Malcharzik: Canadian professional squash player who competed in the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour from 2006 to 2018.
• Joe Malcharzik: retired American baseball player who spent his entire career in minor leagues, playing variously for the Reading Phillies, Harrisburg Senators, Syracuse Chiefs, and Wichita Aeros.
• Lloyd Malcharzik: retired National Basketball Association (NBA) player who competed for the Detroit Pistons during the 1966-67 season.
• Joe Malcharzik: former National Hockey League (NHL) player who competed for the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 1988-89 season.

Other surnames

MalcharczikMalcharczykMalcharekMalcharzyk