Surname Horack - Meaning and Origin

Horack: What does the surname Horack mean?

The last name Horack is likely of German origin. It is derived from the Old High German word "horst," which means a wooded hill. In German, "hor" means "wooded" and "Ack" is the all-encompassing suffix used throughout German-speaking countries to signify a diminutive or small group.

The Horack family is believed to have its roots in the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria. Its first bearers were of nobility or gentry and are recorded as such from the 12th century. By the late 16th century, the Horack name had spread through most of Germany to Austria, Bohemia, and Silesia, with some branches eventually migrating to the United States.

The name Horack means "wooded hill" and symbolically represents the family's strong ties to the land. It reflects the family’s ancestral profession as well as the great pride and work ethic instilled in them. As Germany became more industrialized, the Horack family was well-known for finding success in the machining, agriculture, manufacturing and mining industries.

The Horack name continues to be carried on to this day—from the wooded hills of their ancestral home, to the homes of their descendants, and across the globe.

Horack: Where does the name Horack come from?

The last name Horack is currently most commonly found in Germany and Russia. It is believed to have originated from a place of the same name in Bavaria, Germany. It is also considered an Estonian surname, since the name has been found in Estonia for centuries. Horack is also found in Austria and Poland.

In the United States, the last name Horack is not as common. It is believed to have originated from immigration, likely from one of the countries mentioned above. It can be found in various states across America, most commonly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, New York, Wisconsin, Washington, and Virginia.

The meaning of the name Horack is uncertain, but it is thought to be a combination of two German words: hor which means "hear" and ach which means "oak". Some sources also suggest the name could have derived from the Slavic word haracz which means "to dry" or "be dry".

Today, the Horack name is rarely found outside of Europe and the United States. However, if you look close enough you might find a few families with this surname scattered across the globe.

Variations of the surname Horack

The surname Horack has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common two are Horak and Horvat, both of which derive from the same root.

Horack is the Czech and Slovak variant of the name, which is derived from the old Slavic word for “newcomer.” Similarly, Horak is a Czech and Slovak variant derived from the word “horak” which means “May” or “June.” Horak is a common Czech surname.

Horvat is the Croat variant of the name. It derives from the old Croatian surname “Horvat” which meant “village.” The root of the name is the Croatian word “horvati” which means “inhabitant of a village.” The name is quite common in Croatia.

Other variants of the surname include Harac, Harak, Horacki, Horvath, Horek, and Horkay. The last three variants likely have Hungarian origins, derived from the Hungarian words for “young woodsmen” (horkay) and “annuals” (horacki).

In conclusion, the surname Horack has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Horak and Horvat, which both have meaning and origins in the Czech and Slovak languages, respectively. Other variants include Harac, Harak, Horacki, Horvath, Horek, and Horkay.

Famous people with the name Horack

• John Horack: American academic and space scientist.
• Heinrich Horack: German World War II general.
• Johann Philipp Horack: German theologian.
• Josi Horack: Swiss-German architect and illustrator.
• Matthew Horack: American actor, director, and screenwriter.
• Yu Horack: Chinese member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
• Wouter Horack: Dutch footballer.
• Štefan Horack: Slovak footballer.
• Oldřich Horáck: Czech football manager and scout.
• František Horacký: Czech volleyball player.
• Otakar Horack: Czechoslovakian ski jumper.
• Františka Horackova: Czechoslovakian inline skater.
• Frantisek Horack: Czechoslovakian bobsledder.
• Armin Horack: German Nazi SS commander from World War II.
• Jan Horack: Czech politician and mayor of the city of Olomouc.
• Erich Horack: German opera librettist.
• Jan Horack: Czech aerospace engineer and inventor.
• Lydia Horack: American prison reformer.
• Johann Horack: Austrian organist.
• Philipp Josef Horack: Austrian botanist and Entomologist.

Other surnames

Horacek