Surname Pankrat - Meaning and Origin
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Pankrat: What does the surname Pankrat mean?
The origin of the surname Pankrat is unclear; some sources indicate it is a Slavic last name, while other sources claim it is of German-Jewish origin. The meaning of the name is also uncertain, ranging from an archaic Slavic word meaning "humble" or "hardworking" to a variant of the German name Pancratius, which is derived from the Greek words παγκρατίος (pankratios) meaning "all ruling".
In its earliest recorded form, the surname Pankrat appears in the records of Cologne, Germany, in the 13th century. Since then, the spelling of the name has changed slightly over the centuries as families adapted the surname to their own cultural context.
In modern times, the Pankrat surname is likely to have several different variations, depending on the region where the surname first originated. In Russia, the surname may be spelled “Pankrah” or “Pankrat”, while in Germany it may be spelled “Panckh” and in Poland it may be spelled “Pankrac”.
No matter how the name has been spelled over the centuries, the one thing that remains consistent is the kind of people who carry the Pankrat name: those who are hardworking, humble, and who strive to succeed. Whatever the true origin of the surname may be, its legacy is sure to live on for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisPankrat: Where does the name Pankrat come from?
The last name Pankrat is commonly found today in Germany, the former Soviet Union, Poland, Canada, and the United States. The surname is likely derived from either the Polish word for panther (pankrat) or the German word for alarm (pankraten). It is believed that the name began as an occupational name given to those who worked as hunters or sounded alarm in order to warn of incoming danger.
In Germany, Pankrat is a fairly common name. Most records indicate that the Pankrat surname originated in the western region of Germany. The name began to spread from here to other areas of the country.
Within the former Soviet Union, Pankrat is shared by many people. Commonly found in the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and Belarus, the name is widespread throughout the region. Its presence is especially strong in eastern Ukraine near the Russian border and in the former East Germany.
Within Poland, the surname is less common but still present in some parts of the country. Pankrat families tend to be members of the peasant class and can be found in rural, agricultural areas.
In Canada and the United States, the name is often linked with immigrants and refugees who fled from economic and political hardships in Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The name can be found scattered across the two countries and is most commonly found in urban areas where many migrants settled.
The name Pankrat is still present in many areas today, spread far and wide by those of Polish, German, Russian, Canadian, and American ancestry. It is a common reminder of the strength of the European migrant communities who left their homes in pursuit of a better life.
Variations of the surname Pankrat
The surname Pankrat is of Belarusian and Russian origin. Variants of this surname include Pankrash, Pankras, Pankrate, Pankratz, Pankraz, and Pankratov. Pankrat is generally an occupational surname, derived from the Belarusian and Russian word “pankratiya”, which means "farmer". This surname was most likely adopted by individuals who worked as farmers or for those who traded crops and livestock.
In some cases, Pankrat can be spelt differently depending on the region, some alternative spellings include: Pankrath, Pankrati, Pankratey, and Pankrashin. There are also several other forms of this name, such as: Patsenko, Pantchenko, Pankrin, Pankrose, Pankrachy, and Panchrakov.
Pankrat can also appear as a surname in other countries, such as Germany, where it is pronounced “Pahnkahrt”. There are also variations of this surname used by German-speaking people, such as Pankrats, Pankruat, and Pankratz.
The surname Pankrat can also be found in Ukraine, where it is known for being transliterated as "Pankratyevych". Other Ukrainian variants of the name include: Pankevich, Pankevych, Pankratenko, and Pankrar.
In conclusion, the surname Pankrat has a variety of different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most commonly used variations of this surname come from Belarusian and Russian, German, and Ukrainian regions. It is believed to have arisen originally as an occupational surname referring to those who worked as farmers.
Famous people with the name Pankrat
- Zoya Pankratova: a Ukrainian scientist, physicist, and academician, known for her contributions to advanced materials science
- Tuesday Pankratz: an American actress best known for her roles in films such as Sideways, Step Up All In, and 10 Things I Hate About You
- Vladimir Pankratov: a Russian footballer and coach
- Kim Pankratz: an American figure skater
- Oleg Pankratov: a Russian hockey player
- Lev Pankratov: a Russian classical pianist
- Nora Pankratz: a French painter
- Maxim Pankratov: a Russian artist
- Boris Pankratov: a Russian sculptor
- Jaroslav Pankrat: a Czech musician and drummer