Surname Pankok - Meaning and Origin
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Pankok: What does the surname Pankok mean?
The surname Pankok is of German origin, and is likely derived from a nickname or personal name. It likely descended from the personal name Pandekke, which is composed of two elements: the first being pan, from the Middle High German pfan which means ‘pivot, corner’ and the second being ecke, meaning ‘edge; corner’. This name was used to describe someone associated with a particular corner or rear spot of a house or property. Over time, this surname evolved into various spellings, including Pankok.
The Pankok surname is most common in German-speaking countries like Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, but also has a presence in countries with German ancestry such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The earliest known record of this surname is found in 1402, when Waltherus Pandeko was recorded in Schweissthurn, Germany.
Being a relatively rare German surname, those who bear the name of Pankok are a part of a distinct cultural and ethnic lineage. The Pankok surname is a beautiful component of the family’s heritage, and serves as a reminder of the proud history of the German people.
Order DNA origin analysisPankok: Where does the name Pankok come from?
The last name Pankok is most commonly associated with Germany. It is thought to have first originated in North Rhine-Westphalia, a state in the northern part of western Germany.
Today, the Pankok last name can be found in several German-speaking countries around the world. In Germany itself, records show that the surname is spread across numerous states as well as major cities like Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Munich, and the surrounding regions.
Outside of Germany, the Pankok surname can be found most prominently in countries such as Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the United States, and Canada. Records indicate that the surname is particularly common in the state of Minnesota in the United States.
Exploring its origin further, the surname Pankok is believed to have derived from the Low German terms "pan", which means "pot", and "kok", which can mean "cook". As such, it is speculated that the surname may have originally belonged to a parish priest or a home cook in the area.
Although its exact origin is unknown, what is clear is that the last name Pankok has a rich history and continues to be quite common in several parts of the world today.
Variations of the surname Pankok
The surname Pankok is one of many European surnames that have various spellings and variants. Common variants of this surname are Pankoke, Pancok, Pankokke, Pankek, Pankake and Pancoke. These variations result mainly from the lack of standardization in spelling during the earlier centuries in which Pankok originated. The variants may also be caused by variations in pronunciation and dialects.
Surnames that are related to and of same origin as Pankok are Pannkuck, Panckock, Penkock, Pannick, Pankopp and Panquich. These names can mainly be found in areas of Germany, Ireland, England, Scotland and Prussia.
The Pankok surname likely originated from the Germanic word ‘Panco’ which was a type of harness worn by horses. During the middle-ages, this was a common name for a person that made and sold the harnesses, and it eventually became his surname or family name.
A variation of the surname, Pancok, has spread to parts of America, with some people having migrated from 17th century Germany to Pennsylvania. Pankok is also an area in northwestern Germany located near the village of Werlte that derives its name from the surname.
With the development of technology, many variations and spellings of the Pankok surname have been recorded and documented in registers of birth and family records. While some may consider them to have multiple variations of the same surname, each is unique, with its own distinct history and origin.
Famous people with the name Pankok
- Mark Pankok: an award-winning painter and sculptor from the UK.
- Don Pankok: the chief scientist and co-founder of a global biopharmaceutical company.
- Viviane Pankok: a professional German cyclist who competed in the 2012 Olympic Games.
- Ine Pankok: a Dutch writer and illustrator of children's books.
- Joseph Pankok: a German artist known for his expressionist works exploring the human condition and alienation.
- Jim Pankok: an American football coach who is currently the head coach of the University of Iowa's Hawkeye football team.
- Phil Pankok: a composer and multi-instrumentalist best known for his work on the television show South Park.
- Stephen Pankok: a British actor who has appeared in numerous stage and film productions.
- John Pankok: a former NCAA Division I basketball player who currently coaches high school basketball.
- Joe Pankok: an American businessman and CEO of a technology company.