Surname Tschernack - Meaning and Origin
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Tschernack: What does the surname Tschernack mean?
The last name Tschernack is of German origin, derived from the word tschern, which means to stir or turn. It is thought to have originally been a nickname for someone who was constantly moving or stirring. Over time it has been adapted to various forms, including Tschernack, Tschernik, Tschernig and Chernack.
The surname can be particularly found in (what was formerly) East Prussia which was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1945 in the aftermath of the Second World War. Tschernack is rarely found elsewhere in the world, indicating that speakers of the language, and those who held the surname, were likely a part of a divided ethnic population, with others from the same linguistic group having been relocated to other parts of Europe.
It is a relatively uncommon surname, especially outside of Germany where fewer than 200 people with the name are currently listed. Those with the name Tschernack may take pride in being part of a rare and exclusive group. It could be seen as a reminder of experiences shared through migration over the generations, as well as traditional values, beliefs and language which are now largely lost.
Order DNA origin analysisTschernack: Where does the name Tschernack come from?
The last name Tschernack is most commonly found in Northeast and Central Europe today. It is a Germanic name of Slavic origin, originating from the countries of modern-day Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Russia, and Latvia. The name is derived from the personal name Tscherno, a diminutive of the name Cherny, and the Slavic suffix -ak, which indicates patronymic nobility or origin. Other variations in spelling of the name can include Czernack, Tschernac, Tschernack, Czernac, Czernack, Tschernik, and Tscherneck.
In Poland, the number of individuals bearing the surname Tschernack is largest, making up about one percent of the total population. In Slovakia, the name is found in about 0.05 percent of the population. In the United States and Canada, it is a relatively rare surname, ranking at 153,322 and 6,962 by occurrence respectively.
Tschernack is most strongly associated with the Mennonite religious sect, in particular the name is particularly popular among a certain Mennonite group who trace their origin to north-western Germany. This Mennonite group migrated to the Ukraine and Belarus in the 1600s, then emigrated to the United States and Canada in the 1800s. Today, this Mennonite community is found mostly in Pennsylvania, Southwestern Ontario, and Manitoba.
Tschernack is also commonly found in Germany, in particular in the state of Lower Saxony, which shares a border with the Netherlands.
Overall, the name is most widely found in northeastern and central European countries, particularly those with a Mennonite population.
Variations of the surname Tschernack
The surname Tschernack is an ancient German family name that can be found written in a variety of ways, depending on the country in which it was written. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Tschernack include Chernack, Chernick, Tzhernack, Czernik, Tschernek, Tshernack, Tschernik, Czernych and Chernjak, among others.
The earliest records of the Tschernack surname exist in Germany, where it dates back to the 13th century. Spelling variations of the family name arose when the different dialects spoken in various parts of Germany caused the written language to differ from one place to another. Some of the earliest known bearers of the Tschernack surname lived in Prussia, and legends suggest that a small branch of the family may have migrated to Switzerland during the 16th century.
Over time, the variations of the Tschernack surname spread throughout Europe and eventually to other continents and countries. Members of the family who moved to Scandinavia, such as Poland, Russia, and Lithuania at various times, began to adopt the local spelling of the surname, such as Tzhernack, Czernik, and Chernjak. It has also been found in the United States, mainly among descendants of German immigrants
Today, the Tschernack surname is still thriving. It can be found in many countries around the world, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United States, and Canada, among others. The historical migration patterns and corresponding variation in spelling show that while the members of the Tschernack family may be scattered around the world, their blazing spirit is still alive and well.
Famous people with the name Tschernack
- Robert Tschernack: Former professional German basketball player
- Jan Tschernack: Professional basketball player
- Rüdiger Tschernack: German Nazi SS officer and teacher
- Lina Tschernack: German Gymnast and Olympic medallist
- Maxim Tschernack: Professional diver and two-time world junior record holder
- Alexander Tschernack: Professional cycling coach and founder of TK Sports
- Constantin Tschernack: Former German football goalkeeper
- Gordon Tschernack: Professional guitarist and composer
- Ralph Tschernack: Professional soccer player
- Maria Tschernack: Professional figure skater
- Pfarrer Max Tschernack: German theologian and missionary
- Tobias Tschernack: Professional painter and draw artist
- Gustav Tschernack: Founder and CEO of Help-IT Solutions
- Heinz Tschernack: German actor and singer
- Franz Tschernack: Austrian lawyer and politician