Surname Block - Meaning and Origin
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Unravelling the Mystery of My Ancestry: In-Depth Analysis of the iGENEA DNA Test and the Surname Block
The iGENEA DNA test provided comprehensive results regarding my ethnic history and the origins of the surname Block. The test's use of autosomal DNA testing and its consequent high accuracy level gave me insights into my heritage and connected me with distant relatives worldwide, unravelling my ancestry with newfound detail.
I. Block
read moreBlock: What does the surname Block mean?
The surname Block is of German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin. It is derived from "bloch," a Middle High German term meaning "beam" or "plank." In this sense, it might have been a topographic name for someone who lived by a sign that was a plank or a nickname for a tall, stout man who resembled such a plank. It could also be an occupational name for a timber merchant. The surname has been found in various regions across Germany, including the state of Bavaria, where the name became prominent for its contribution to the emerging medieval society. In Jewish families, the surname may also be an ornamental name chosen because of the American English connotation of the word "block," i.e., something large, solid, and dependable. It should be noted that spelling variations of the surname Block can include Bloch, Bloche, Block, Bloech, Bloeh and others. Interpretation and origin of surnames can vary greatly due to regional and historical differences, so the meaning of a surname in one culture or time period may not equate to its significance in another.
Order DNA origin analysisBlock: Where does the name Block come from?
The surname Block is of German origin derived from the Middle Low German word 'blok' which means 'log'. It's an occupational surname typically given to a person who was a timber merchant or a woodcutter. Variations of the name include Bloch, Bloc, and Blok. It is also common in Jewish (Ashkenazic) families where it may have originated as an ornamental name. The surname can also be found in Dutch and Swedish families.
The surname Block is common today in the United States, Germany, and Netherlands. Large populations of people with the surname Block can be found in the states of Wisconsin and New York in the United States. The name is common throughout Germany, but especially in the northern part of the country. In the Netherlands, the name is most common in the province of South Holland. Despite the spread of the name Block worldwide, it's still where it was originated from, Germany, that holds the highest population of people with this surname.
Variations of the surname Block
The surname Block is of German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin and it comes from different sources. For instance, it may be a topographic name for someone who lived near a blockhouse or a Jewish occupational name for a maker of blocks or wooden footwear.
Variants of the surname Block include Bloch, Block, Blok, Bloc, and Blöck. Its spellings may vary based on regions and linguistic transformations. The surname also appears as Blaak (especially in the Netherlands), and Blach or Blache in France.
Related surnames with shared root origins and meanings include Blocker, Blockman, and Blockmann. Additionally, the surname appears in combined forms such as Blockburger, Blockfeld, and Blockmeier.
In some cases, similar surnames like Black, Blick or Brock may be incorrectly transcribed as Block due to phonetic similarities or transcription errors.
In Jewish records, Bloch or Bloc might appear as Blech, based on Yiddish or Hebrew spellings.
Please note that the surname evolution may vary significantly, and a common origin does not necessarily mean the families bearing these names are genetically related. Research into the specific lineage and genealogy of each surname is recommended for accurate determination of relations.
Famous people with the name Block
- Herbert Block: He was a famous American cartoonist and author known by his pen name, Herblock.
- Lawrence Block: He is a well-known American crime writer.
- Abigail and Brittany Hensel: They are famously known as conjoined twins and have the surname "Block" from their mother's side.
- Benjamin Block: He is a renowned American sports journalist.
- Rory Block: She is an American blues guitarist and singer, greatly admired in the folk-blues genre.
- Ken Block: He is an American professional rally driver and co-founder of DC Shoes.
- Stephan James Block: He is a British actor known for his role in 'Shameless'.
- Stephanie J. Block: She is an American actress and singer, notable for her work in Broadway theatre.
- Tory Block: A British author known for her children's book.
- Walter Block: An American economist and anarcho-capitalist theorist who is a professor at Loyola University New Orleans.
- Ned Block: He's a famous American philosopher known for his work in philosophy of mind.