Surname Sakalauskas - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Sakalauskas: What does the surname Sakalauskas mean?
The last name Sakalauskas is of Lithuanian origin and is quite rare outside of the nation. It is derived from the word sakeliaus, which means "of the stumps." It can also be interpreted as the Lithuanian word “sacenkovas” which means “rough edge”.
Generally, it is thought to refer to a person who cuts down trees for either home building or to make money from the lumber harvested. The surname was more commonly used by rural and peasant families who relied upon the physical labor associated with this vocation as their livelihood. Sakalauskas can also be representative of a marshy area of eastern Lithuania, as it is derived from the Lithuanian word “sakenys” which means “headland” or “cape.”
During the early 20th century, the Sakalauskas surname, like many other Lithuanian families, was forced to change their name due to the country’s newly implemented foreign policies. As a result, Sakalauskas was changed to the newer version – Sakalavicius. Both versions are still used today, although the original is less commonly seen except among those born in Lithuania.
The meaning behind Sakalauskas is clear and resonates with the proud heritage and traditional values of the nation. For Lithuanian people, the name Sakalauskas carries a great deal of pride, strength, and courage of one’s roots.
Order DNA origin analysisSakalauskas: Where does the name Sakalauskas come from?
The last name Sakalauskas is common throughout Eastern Europe, particularly in Lithuania. This is due to its Lithuanian origins, as the name has an old Lithuanian spelling, Sakalauskas.
The surname is most commonly found in Lithuania itself: it is the 41st most common name there, with over 8000 people bearing the name. It is also the 124th most common name in Latvia, with over 900 people with the name, and is one of the top 1000 names in Estonia, although precise numbers for the country are not available.
Sakalauskas is found in other European countries too, including Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova, where its use is more sporadic. Further afield, the name is also present in countries with significant Lithuanian diasporas, such as the United States, Canada and Australia.
In the United States, the name is present in every state, but it is particularly common in Midwestern states with large Lithuanian populations, such as Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Minnesota. In Canada, the provinces of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia are the main regions in which the name is found.
Overall, the name Sakalauskas is most frequently encountered in Eastern Europe, particularly Lithuania, with the United States, Canada and Australia having significant numbers among their diasporic populations.
Variations of the surname Sakalauskas
The surname Sakalauskas originates from the words “saka” and “laukas” which mean “berry field” in the Lithuanian language. As a result, it’s no surprise that the surname has many variants and spellings across Europe.
The variants of Sakalauskas include Sakalauskaites, Sakalauskyte, Sakalauskaitis, and Sakalauskas. In addition, the spelling of the name in other languages may vary. For example, in Poland the surname is spelled as Szakłowski and Szakłowska.
Furthermore, the surname is also used in various other countries and cultures. It is common in Prussian areas, with its spellings including Sakalow, Schakalow, and Schakalowski. Similarly, other spellings found in the Netherlands, Portugal, and the Czech Republic are Sakelaukas, Sacalaukas, Sakalouckas, and Sakaloucas respectively.
In addition, many surnames have also derived from Sakalauskas. Some of these are Sakauskas, Sakakis, Sakalis, Sakonas, and Sakules.
Overall, there is a wide range of variants, spellings, and surnames related to Sakalauskas. Each of these offer insight into the history of the surname, and the generations of families and individuals who have carried it through the years.
Famous people with the name Sakalauskas
- Rytis Sakalauskas: Former professional basketball player for KK Žalgiris in Lithuania.
- Pranas Sakalauskas: Former professional football (soccer) player for FK Žalgiris in Lithuania.
- Saulius Sakalauskas: Former professional football (soccer) player for FK Žalgiris in Lithuania.
- Mykolas Sakalauskas: Vilnius City Mayor in 2020-2021.
- Ramūnas Sakalauskas: Professional basketball player for BC Juventus in Lithuania.
- Vaidotas Sakalauskas: Professional basketball player for Sabonis Basketball Academy in Lithuania.
- Algirdas Sakalauskas: Amateur basketball player from Lithuania.
- Linas Sakalauskas: Professional basketball player for KK Žalgiris in Lithuania.
- Vytautas Sakalauskas: Professional basketball player for BC Juventus in Lithuania.
- Rytis Sakalauskas: Amateur basketball player from Lithuania.