Surname Narkus - Meaning and Origin
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Narkus: What does the surname Narkus mean?
The last name Narkus is derived from the Lithuanian word narkus, meaning ‘ferment’. The name is a variation on the common Jewish surname Narkuns, which is thought to have originated in the early nineteenth century as a patronymic derived from the Lithuanian word for rum or brandy, narkuva. Given this origin, the name is often associated with persons or families who were engaged in the alcohol or brewing industry, either as employees or owners of related businesses.
The name has found its way into many European countries over the centuries and is now also popular in the United States and Canada, often appearing in official records as Narkus, Narkiss, Narkos, or Narkun. It is believed to be more common among Eastern Europeans and Jews of Ashkenazi descent, but other spellings can indicate Lithuanian-Franconian or Russian-Ukrainian origins.
The most likely story about the last name is that it was carried by a Jewish family from Lithuania to novel places, where its meaning was lost and the name was changed in typing errors or even anglicized through changes of spelling, so that today Narkus is most likely a corruption of Narkuns.
The name Narkus carries a strong sense of connection to the past and can still be seen in the family names of modern-day descendants who carry the name. Its connection to the alcohol industry might have helped to earn it a degree of respectability from neighbours and friends, particularly in regions where liquor businesses were part of the cultural economy.
Order DNA origin analysisNarkus: Where does the name Narkus come from?
The last name Narkus is not very common today. Records of the name can be found in countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the United States, and some parts of near Eastern Europe. The name is most commonly associated with a Jewish background as it appears in records of Jewish immigrants to the United States from 1880 to 1920. In Poland, records date back to at least the late 1600s, and records from 1387 in Lithuania suggest that the name has been around for quite some time.
In terms of modern day places, the name is most likely to be found around Europe, especially the eastern regions, and in North America. This means the name may still be strong in Eastern European countries like Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, and in cities in the United States and Canada that are home to large Jewish communities.
Given its relative rarity, it’s highly unlikely you’ll encounter the name Narkus in everyday life. Those with the name are likely scattered around the world, often descended from European immigrants to North or South America, and other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Narkus
The surname Narkus is believed to be derived from the personal name Nearchus or Nerkus. It is also known to date back to old Baltic or Slavic origins. This surname is typically spelled as Narkus, Nerkus or Narchus, although there are some variants such as Narchu, Narek and Narkevich.
The surname Narkus is quite common throughout the former eastern European countries. In Latvia, for instance, it is the seventh most common surname in the nation with over 4,000 citizens having that name. The surname is also prevalent in Lithuania and Estonia with over 2,400 citizens bearing the surname in each country.
It is also very popular in Belarus, where it is the fourth most common surname with over 10,000 citizens having that name. In Poland, the surname ranks at number 10 with over 8,000 citizens sharing that name.
In addition to these spellings, there are also some derivatives of this surname. One example is Narkevic, which is usually spelled with a 'v' instead of 'us' at the end. Variants such as Narkovsky or Narkov can also be found throughout the former Soviet Republics as well as other countries. Narcharski, Narcevich, Narkowitz, and Narkewicz are also common variations of Narkus. All of these spellings refer to the same surname.
Famous people with the name Narkus
- Zanda Narkus-Kikare: Estonian model
- Gabriela Narkus: Argentinian actress and screenwriter 3.Sirje Narkus: Estonian opera singer 4.Jaan Narkus: Estonian playwright and novelist
- Rainer Narkus: Estonian Olympic swimmer
- Väino Narkus: Estonian sculptor
- Siiri Narkus: Estonian triathlete
- Peeter Narkus: Estonian film director
- Mihkel Narkus: Estonian athlete
- Erich Narkus: Estonian professor and lawyer