Surname Luks - Meaning and Origin
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Luks: What does the surname Luks mean?
The last name Luks is an ethnic name of Polish-Jewish origin, derived from the word "luk", which is a Slavic word referring to an arch. In certain dialects, the word "luk" can also mean an arched gate or citadel gate.
The Luks surname is relatively uncommon, with a small number of individuals bearing the name worldwide. Historically, it was most common among the Jewish population of Poland before WWII. During the war, countless Jewish individuals were persecuted and many families faced further tragedy when they were dispersed across Eastern Europe.
The Polish region where the surname originated is now located in Belarus, Ukraine and Lithuania. In modern times, individuals of the same surname can be located in the United States, Australia, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. As a result, the last name Luks appears to be scattered throughout much of the world.
Regardless of its current spread across the globe, the surname Luks can mostly be traced back to its original roots in Poland. As such, it can be anecdotally associated with the bravery, strength and resilience of the Luks lineage, who have faced all sorts of danger and destruction in the past and still remain a strong, thriving bloodline.
Order DNA origin analysisLuks: Where does the name Luks come from?
The last name Luks is most commonly found in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland. It can also be found in several other European countries, such as Latvia and Ukraine. The exact origin of the name is uncertain, but some experts believe it is derived from the given name "Luke" or from the Latin word "lux," which means "light."
In the United States, the last name Luks is relatively uncommon, though a small number of people do carry it. According to Ancestry.com, the first known Luks family immigrated to the US in 1874. The Luks surname continues to be relatively uncommon, though there are currently over 500 Americans with the last name. Those with the last name are mostly concentrated in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.
Outside of Europe and North America, the name is fairly rare. In fact, it does not appear in the most recent census data for many countries. For example, in India, the last name Luks is virtually nonexistent. However, there are a few countries with significant populations of people with the Luks surname, such as South Africa, Australia, and Brazil.
Variations of the surname Luks
The surname Luks is a Russian patronymic surname derived from the given name Luk or Luka. Other spellings and variants of the surname Luks include:
Lukashevich, Lukashewich, Lukasiewicz, Lukashemich, Lukashchik, Lukasevich, Lukashkevich, Lukashov, Lukashenko, Lukashin, Lukashkin, Lukishin, Lukiashin, Lukov, Lukoshevich, Lushkov, and Lyukshkin, among others.
The surname Luks has also been documented in records dating back as far as the 16th century. Most people with the surname Luks trace their ancestral roots back to the time of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which was a monarchy in eastern Europe in the 12th to the 18th centuries.
Today, the surname Luks is found throughout Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Poland, Canada, and in some parts of the United States. The surname Luks is also commonly found in Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Kazakhstan, and other countries of the former Soviet Union.
The meanings of the various spellings and variants of the surname Luks may be varied between countries, but many meanings are related to the given name Luk, which is derived from a Slavic word meaning "light" or "illumination". In some cases, the surname Luks may have originated as a nickname for someone with a bright or illuminated personality.
In addition, the surname Luks has been associated with a variety of occupations and titles, including cloth-maker, baker, tavern-keeper, tax collector, priest, and nobleman. It is also believed that the surname Luks has varying meanings, depending upon regional variations.
In conclusion, the surname Luks has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is believed to have originated from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and is associated with many occupations and titles. It is derived from the given name Luk, which is derived from a Slavic word meaning "light" or "illumination". Today, it is commonly found in Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Poland, Canada, and in some parts of the United States.
Famous people with the name Luks
- Jelena Lukšić-Pawlas: Serbian biochemist, who served as a Minister of Science and Education in the Government of Serbia.
- Uri Luks: Israeli artist, best known for his realistic portraiture and works of art.
- Jacinto Luks Baena: Colombian composer, ethnomusicologist, and clarinet virtuoso.
- Zsolt Luks: Hungarian-born artist who lives and works in New York City.
- Patricia Luk Stones: Canadian professional basketball player with the Canadian national women's team.
- Luis Luks: Argentinian physicist and geophysicist who works on earth science issues.
- Janis Lukša: Ukrainian politician and former Prime Minister of Ukraine (2001–2002).
- Tom Luks: Australian actor, best known for his roles in "Neighbours" and "Underbelly".
- Károly Luks: Hungarian film director, screenwriter, and producer.
- Marcin Łukasiewicz: Polish architect, known for his unorthodox and contemporary design.