Surname Malecek - Meaning and Origin

Malecek: What does the surname Malecek mean?

The last name Malecek is a surname of Czech origin and is derived from the words malec, meaning "little man," and -ek, a diminutive suffix. This combination thus carries the literal meaning of "little man," and the name likely would have been given to a small or diminutive man.

The Malecek surname is not commonly found in the United States, but there are some families who trace their ancestry back to ancestors who immigrated from the Czech Republic. A more common variant of the same root word is the name Malec, which may be found more often in American records, as well as in areas of Europe where Czech immigration was less common.

There is also a variant form of Malecek, which is Marcek. This variation speaks to the pronunciation of the name, which may have been pronounced differently in other areas of the Czech Republic. This is not an uncommon practice, as languages and dialects often form variations of the same last name.

The Malecek surname may be a forebear of other surnames as well. Many surnames have evolved with time, taking various forms depending on the dialect and region of origin. Records often list the original form of a surname next to its current form, making it easier to trace one’s ancestral roots.

Overall, the last name Malecek is thought to have originated in the Czech Republic, and it is likely derived from the words malec and -ek, meaning "little man." Its current form and other variants may be more easily tracked in genealogy records or through family research.

Malecek: Where does the name Malecek come from?

The name Malecek is most common today in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia, as well as some parts of the United States. It is a surname derived from the Czech words “male”, meaning small, and “ček”, meaning “worker”, making it an occupational surname for a small worker or farmhand.

As a surname, it is primarily found in Central and Eastern Europe. The Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia have some of the highest densities of people with the name; in the Czech Republic, it is ranked as the 462nd most common surname. Additionally, it is known in some regions of Germany and Romania.

Outside of Europe, the name Malecek is found in the United States, primarily in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. American Maleceks trace their lineage mostly to immigrants from Germany and Austria. There are also a number of Maleceks in Canada, likely descended from American immigrants.

The name Malecek is quite rare in other parts of the world, but can be found in small concentrations in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, and Brazil.

Variations of the surname Malecek

The surname Malecek has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

The most common variant is Maleczek, which is derived from the Polish word for ‘little man’. It is also sometimes spelled as Malcek, Malecek, Malecki, Maleček, Malček, Malek, Maleck, Malick, Malicoh, Malůček, Máleček, Málik, and Málík. In some cases, the surname is also spelled as Meleschek, Meleschuk, and Meleshek.

The surname is also sometimes spelled with variant endings, such as -eczka or -czka. This denotes a feminization of the name. So, variants like Maleczka, Malczka, Malečka, Malicka, Malůčka, and Málečka may be used.

The surname is also sometimes found with diacritical marks, such as Maleček or Malíček (with an acute accent on the ‘i’ or ‘e’).

The most common nickname of the surname is Malek or Malecek, derived from the meaning of the surname. Other nicknames may include Malco, Malchu, Malko, Malev, Malish, and Malolin.

The surname is most commonly found in Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria. It is also found in other parts of Europe, as well as countries throughout the Americas.

Famous people with the name Malecek

• Alexander Malecek: a German-born American ice hockey player who represented the US in the 1998 Winter Olympics.
• Jakub Malecek: a Czech retired football player currently managing in the Czech professional leagues.
• Simon Malecek: an Austrian General in the Austrian Empire, receiving numerous military decorations for his service in Italy, 1693–97.
• Beth Malecek: an American rower who won a bronze medal at the 1987 World Championships.
• Charles Malecek: a former Catholic priest who served as the mayor of Mercyberg, Ohio.
• Tom Malecek: a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres in 1997.
• Peter Malecek: a former professional hockey player who played for the Czech national team.
• Paul Malecek: a former professional ice hockey player who represented the US in the 1994 Winter Olympics.
• Denise Malecek: a former professional figure skater and two-time US National Champion.
• Kristen Malecek: a former American track and field athlete who represented the US in the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Other surnames

Maleck