Surname Metak - Meaning and Origin

Metak: What does the surname Metak mean?

The last name Metak is of Slavic origin. It is derived from the old Proto-Slavic word ‘metka’ meaning ‘target’ or ‘mark’. The name was likely originally adopted as a nickname for someone who had the habit of always hitting his target or mark in any task, activity, or challenge.

The surname Metak is more common among populations that speak the Czech and Slovak languages. It was likely brought to these countries from western Ukraine by early settlers looking for better opportunities.

The name Metak can also be associated with the root ‘met’ which translates into ‘measure’. In Its colloquial meaning, it could be understood as measuring the success of any activity - whether it is a task, a challenge or an effort.

A person with the Metak last name may embody a lot of positive qualities. They are often persistent, determined, and have a great eye for detail. They usually strive for balance and accuracy in their life and often succeed in doing so.

Although the exact origin of the name is not known, it is likely that the Metak last name has strong roots in the Slavic culture of the past few centuries. It is likely to have an even greater history that remains somewhat of a mystery. It remains one of the most ancient surnames to this day and still remains a reminder of how powerful and important a person’s purpose can be.

Metak: Where does the name Metak come from?

The surname Metak is most commonly found in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a southeastern European country. It is particularly common in the towns of Vitez, Kladanj, Livno, and Banja Luka. A 2013 report identified it as the 31st most common surname in the country.

Metak is of Slavic origin, derived from the word ‘metati’ meaning ‘to throw’. It likely emerged as a patronymic surname - a surname derived from the given name of the father - in the area in the Middle Ages.

Metak may have been used as a nickname for someone with a talent for throwing, or it may have referred to someone who owned a lot of land. As a nickname-surname, it could have easily changed in spelling and pronunciation over time.

The name is spread further into Europe and the rest of the world through international migration in the 19th and 20th centuries. Metak families can now be found in other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in neighbouring Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, and Austria. It has been carried to North and South America, Australia, and parts of Asia too.

Variations of the surname Metak

The surname Metak, which is derived from the Old Russian word “metak” meaning "guard" or "protector", has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Mehta, Medakov, Meitka, Methak, Metack, Metka, Metek, Metka, Metko, Metok, Mette, Mitta, Mitko, Metka and Mytka. Other variants include Metkin, Metkevich, Mrtetska and the German spelling Mettak or Medtak.

The Mehta family is most commonly associated with the surname, tracing its roots all the way back to the Indian Subcontinent and is the most popular spelling of the surname outside of Eastern Europe. The origin of the Mehta surname is a combination of Maharaja, meaning “great king” in Sanskrit, and the suffix “iya/e”, which is derived from the Sanskrit origins of the name. The Mehta surname is popular with various communities, including Parsi, Jain, and Hindu families.

The Medakov family is believed to be of Russian origin, dating back to the area of modern-day Ukraine. The Medakov spelling has since been adopted by numerous Slavic countries such as Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. It is largely found in Eastern Europe amongst many families and can also be found across the pond in North America with family members who emigrated from the region in the 20th century.

The Metka spelling has also been recorded in English and German records dating back to the early Middle Ages, when the surname was associated with surnames like Meitka, Methak, Metack and Metka. This particular variant of Metak is thought to have originated in Germany.

Finally, the last and rarest of the three major variants is Mitka, which has a limited presence in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.

Overall, Metak is a surname with multiple variants, spellings and origins, each with their own unique stories and history. From Mehta in India to Medakov in Russia, and finally Mitka in Ukraine, Metak is a name that is viewed favorably and respected by many.

Famous people with the name Metak

• Michael Metak: Slovenian actor and producer
• Zlatko Metak: Croatian football player
• Rok Metak: Slovenian snowboarder
• Nikola Metak: Serbian ski and snowboarder
• Dragutin Metak: Croatian athlete and coach
• Danica Metak: Serbian artist
• Hrvoje Metak: Croatian footballer
• Martin Metak: German bobsledder
• Boris Metak: Croatian sculptor
• Gordana Metak: Croatian actress

Other surnames

Metag