Surname Norkus - Meaning and Origin
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Norkus: What does the surname Norkus mean?
The last name Norkus is usually found in Lithuania as well as other parts of Europe. The origin of the name is believed to be from the Lithuanian word “Norkutis”, which means “the small one”. It is also believed that the name derived from as an alternate form of the Old Slavic name “Norko”, which means “enlightened one”.
The Norkus surname is fairly rare, with a worldwide population of about 800 people. In the United States, the Norkus surname is most common in Pennsylvania, where it is the 116th most common last name. In Lithuania, the Norkus surname is the 4,503 most common name.
The coat of arms for the Norkus family is a gold shield with three stars, with the right side having a crown and the left a cross. The shield also features a red field with three white ducks arranged in an arc.
The Norkus family is known for its strong sense of loyalty, hard work and dedication to their families. They believe in living life with integrity and taking care of each other. They are said to be loyal to their beliefs and are proud to stand up for what they believe in.
Overall, the Norkus surname is a powerful one that carries a long history. It is a unique name with a strong sense of loyalty and dedication. A person with this last name is someone with a strong sense of integrity and a desire to protect and take care of their family.
Order DNA origin analysisNorkus: Where does the name Norkus come from?
The last name Norkus is primarily found in Lithuania and parts of Eastern Europe. The name is derived from the Lithuanian inoruku, meaning "wooden gate keeper". It is not especially common in the United States or elsewhere in the Western world, but there are a few families that have emigrated from this region and still bear the name.
Most are descended from the original Lithuanian families. In Lithuania, the name is most common in the Šiauliai area and in the regions of the former East Prussia, such as the Kaliningrad (Königsberg).
Unlike other surnames in Lithuania that were based on first names, the Norkus surname was based on the occupation of the original ancestor. It was a name given to the gate keeper, who was responsible for opening and closing the wooden gate to a village or estate.
The Norkus family has a long history in the Baltic states that is not limited to the surname. During World War II, a group of Lithuanians bravely fought against the Nazi occupation led by a man named Antanas Norkus. He was born in the Šiauliai region and studied at the University of Vilnius, and developed a reputation as an honorable political leader.
Today, the name is still common in Lithuania, although not as common as some others. It is not particularly common in the United States or other Western countries. Families who have emigrated from Lithuania may still have the name, but those who have settled elsewhere are fewer in number.
Variations of the surname Norkus
The surname Norkus is of Slavic origin and it has many spelling variants and associated surnames. The version of the surname most common in Lithuania and other Baltic countries is Norkus, but it is also sometimes spelled Norkus or Nornkus. The associated Polish surnames include Norn, Norkowski, Norko, Norkiewicz, Norski, Norskiw, and Nożek. Other spelling variants include Nornkha, Nornkhov, Nornken, and Nornkenykha. In Russia, the versions of the surname are Norn, Nornikov, Nornikova, and Nornikas. While most of the variations are confined to Central and Eastern Europe, some have migrated to other parts of the world, including the United States and North America.
The meaning or etymology of the surname is usually associated with the Lithuanian phrase "noriu klausyti" which literally translates to "I want to listen". It is thought to refer to someone who is prudent and attentive. Alternatively, the surname may have an occupational origin and be associated with the Lithuanian words "notorius" and "nurdėti" which mean "to drain, indi" and "to hammer" respectively. This could suggest someone who was a drain fitter or a blacksmith.
In summary, the surname Norkus is of Slavic origin and has many spelling variants and associated surnames. It is often thought to be derived from a phrase that means "I want to listen" or it may be linked to an occupation. Variants include Norkus, Norn, Norkowski, Norko, Norkiewicz, and Norskiw. It also has associated surnames in Russia, such as Norn, Nornikov, Nornikova, and Nornikas.
Famous people with the name Norkus
- Joe Norkus, professional baseball player in the Minor Leagues from 2006-2008
- Mark Norkus, American flutist and composer
- Brian Norkus, an American college basketball player from Seton Hall University
- Kyle Norkus, an American professional ice hockey player
- Jeff Norkus, American actor and stunt performer
- Charlie Norkus, American professional basketball player
- Art Norkus, Estonian ice hockey player
- Kiti Norkus, entrepreneur and founder of Kit & Co.
- Anne Norkus, a Hollywood costume designer
- Sae Norkus, an Estonian cross-country skier