Surname Jacek - Meaning and Origin

Jacek: What does the surname Jacek mean?

The last name Jacek originated in Poland, although there are some people who hold this last name in other countries. The name likely has a Christian origin, and it is derived from the name Joachim, which means “may God prepare” or “God will establish.” Its variant spellings include Jack, Jak, Jacob, and Jakob.

This last name rose to popularity in the 14th century, deriving from the geographical region of Pomerania. By the 16th century, it was recorded throughout Poland and other neighboring regions, such as Germany. Its variants are now most commonly found in the countries of Poland, Germany, Austria, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden.

The popularity of this last name can be attributed to the Christian roots associated with the word Joachim, which was an important Biblical figure in the Old and New Testaments. People bearing this surname would have been associated with this figure, in addition to another likely namesake—Prince Joachim of Anhalt, who was known as a wise leader and sought-after advisor in the late 16th century and early 17th century.

The traditions and values associated with this last name—such as leadership, wisdom, and preparation—are now seen in many of its bearers who strive for excellence and success in all areas of life.

Jacek: Where does the name Jacek come from?

The last name Jacek is most common today in Poland. According to the Central Statistical Office of Poland, Jacek is the 7th most popular surname in Poland. The last name is thought to originate from the given name Jacek, which is derived from a Hebrew name meaning “healer” or “one who cures.”

Jacek is a well-known name throughout Europe; it is also found in areas such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Hungary, France, and Ireland. There are some variations of the spelling, including Jasek, Yasek, and Jaseck.

In the United States, there is a big population of people with the surname Jacek primarily in the most populated New York City area. According to the US Census Bureau, there were 2,087 people living in the US with the last name Jacek in 2018. They reside in all parts of the country, from Texas, Illinois, and Florida, to New Jersey, New York, and California.

The last name Jacek is also found in Australia and Canada. In Australia, it is the 1,797th most common surname; while in Canada, it is ranked 14,725th in terms of popularity.

Overall, the surname Jacek is more common in Poland and other parts of Europe, but you can find people with the last name living all over the world.

Variations of the surname Jacek

The surname Jacek is a patronymic surname derived from the Latin name Iacobus, which was derived from the Hebrew name Yaakov. Variants of this surname include Jakub, Jákob, Jacob, Jacobs, Jakoby, Jako, Jakab, Ják, Gyák, Yakoby, Jakubek, Jakobs, Jakes, Jakobek, Jacobson, Jakov, Yakubovych, Jakubowski, and Yakovlev.

In some countries such as the United States and Canada, this surname may be spelled slightly differently. The spelling may be Jack, Jacks, Jacky, Jackman, Jacko, Jackson, Jacky, or Jacquesson. The surname may also have regional or dialectal variations in spelling, such as Jaekle in Germany, Jakovljević in Serbia, and Jakopović in Croatia.

In East-Central Europe, this surname is typically associated with Poland and the Czech Republic. In Poland, the surname may be spelled slightly differently, including Jędrek or Jedrek, Ćwiek, Ćwik, and Ćwiklak. In the Czech Republic, the surname is spelled out as Jáček in its original form.

In some cases, families who originate from the House of Jacob may adopt the name as a surname. Such examples include the surnames Jacobsson and Jacobus, where the original families with this surname trace their ancestry back to the House of Jacob.

Variants of this surname are also found in other countries and regions. Some people from the Middle East, especially the Jews, adopted this surname as their own. In the Arab world, the surname may be spelled as Yakoub, Yaqub, Jokhob, or Yakoob. In Hebrew, the surname is spelled as Yakov or Yaʻaqob. In Greece, the surname is spelled as Giákom, Giakómis, Giakømos, Jakóvos, and Giakobos. In Russia, the surname is spelled as Yakovlev, and in Ukraine, it is spelled as Yakovlyuk.

Variations of this surname will exist in many other languages, as well as multiple cultures around the world. However, the common thread between all variations of this surname is the concept of origin, which is traced back to the House of Jacob.

Famous people with the name Jacek

• Jacek Kaczmarski: a Polish folk singer-songwriter and an advocate of anti-communist and anti-establishment causes.
• Jacek Bochenek: a Polish politician who was the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland from June 2000 to October 2001.
• Jacek Jaśkowiak: the Mayor of the City of Poznań, Poland.
• Jacek Kuroń: a prominent member of the anti-Communist democratic opposition in Poland, a Marxist thinker and editor.
• Jacek Bończyk: a Polish singer, composer, music producer and actor.
• Jacek Bąk: a Polish footballer who played for the national team in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
• Jacek Czaputowicz: a Polish diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Cabinet of Mateusz Morawiecki from 2018 to 2020.
• Jacek Protasiewicz: a Polish politician and former Member of the European Parliament for the Civic Platform.
• Jacek Dehnel: a Polish poet, novelist, translator and literary critic.
• Jacek Magieński: a Polish composer, music producer, film director and actor.
• Jacek Wszoła: a Polish Olympic athlete, judoka, and world champion.
• Jacek Soural: a Polish actor and comedian.
• Jacek Woźniak: a Polish former football midfielder.
• Jacek Laskowski: a Polish actor, singer and playwright.
• Jacek Kasprzyk: a Polish volleyball player and Olympics silver medalist.

Other surnames

Jaceck