Surname Pankevych - Meaning and Origin
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Pankevych: What does the surname Pankevych mean?
Pankevych is a surname of Ukrainian origin derived from the root word “pan” meaning lord or a high ranking member of society. The name Pankevych has a noble, aristocratic ring to it and is one of the oldest surnames in Ukrainian history. Pankevychs were prominent landowners in the Ukrainian steppe and were often wealthy and influential members of the local community.
The name is likely related to the Polish surname Panek, which is also derived from the root word for lord and bears the same meaning. Pankevychs were typically distinguished citizens known for their loyalty to their clan, and for their strong support and leadership in times of difficulty or crisis.
The Pankevychs often served as the enforcers of honor and justice in their villages, and were held in high regard for protecting their people and keeping order in the land. They were also celebrated as great military leaders, with many legends and stories about Pankevych warriors fighting heroically in battle.
Today descendants of the Pankevychs are still found in Ukraine, where their legacy of hard work, loyalty, and honor live on. As a symbol of Ukrainian identity, the Pankevych name stands for strength, integrity, and honor.
Order DNA origin analysisPankevych: Where does the name Pankevych come from?
The last name Pankevych is most commonly found in Eastern Europe, particularly in the former Soviet Union. It is a patronymic derived from the name Panko, which is believed to originate from the Middle Ages and is of East Slavic origin. The surname is primarily located in the countries of Ukraine and Russia, though it is also present in Belarus and Poland. In Ukraine and Russia, the name is widely used.
The earliest known record of Pankevych occurred in the year 1463 in what is now modern-day Ukraine. The family is whose surname was first listed as Pankevych is believed to have stemmed from the prints', or Polina family, leading some to believe that the surname relates to the noble family of that name.
The spelling of the Pankevych family name also changed over the years, either converting to the Ukrainian and Russian spelling of Pankevych or following a Polish variant such as Pankiewicza or Pankewycz. This change likely came as a result of the long history of changing political regimes and boundaries which continually altered the landscape and identity of those living there.
While primarily located in Eastern Europe, the surname has been found in other regions as well, including Australia, America, England, and Canada. In more contemporary times, the surname Pankevych remains a common one in Eastern Europe and is found across a variety of countries. As of 2020, the Pankevych name is rising in popularity and remains one of the top 10 surnames in Ukraine.
Variations of the surname Pankevych
The surname Pankevych is a patronymic derived from the popular Ukrainian first name Panas, which is derived from the Greek word ‘panagia’ meaning “all-holy”. This surname has numerous variants and alternate spellings, all derived from the same origin. Some of the most common variants are Pankewych, Pankevich, Pankevitš, Pankevitch, Pankevitsh, Pankevytsh, Pankevits, Pankiewicz, Pankiw, Pankiv, Panko, Pankowa, Pankowicz, Panchenko, Pancernyk, and Pankrarz. It should be noted that surnames often changed during the immigration process or when they traveled abroad, leading to even more variations.
In countries around the world like the United States, Canada, and Australia, the Pankevych surname can sometimes be seen in its Americanized form. These variants often feature an English suffix such as “-son,” or a French suffix such as “-es” or “-ette.” For example, the surname could appear as Pankevitcher, Pankevichson, Pankevyches, or Pankevyshette.
Other variations may be seen in other countries due to their own languages or dialects. For example, in Belarus and Russia the surname might appear as Панкевич or in Poland as Pańkiewicz.
Additionally, the surname Pankevych could also be translated and transposed to other languages such as German (Pankowitsch), Italian (Pankevitz), Spanish (Pancovitche), or Greek (Pankevits).
Overall, while the surname Pankevych has numerous variants and alternate spellings, they all ultimately stem from the same patronymic and origin.
Famous people with the name Pankevych
- Myroslav Pankevych: Ukrainian artist who sculpted the Memorial in Mound of Glory.
- Sviatoslav Pankevych: Ukrainian writer, journalist and political activist.
- Pavlo Pankevych: Ukrainian composer, harpist, and painter.
- Natalia Pankevych: Ukrainian artist, illustrator, and print maker.
- Vasyl Pankevych: Ukrainian lawyer and diplomat, the Chief Sanitary Inspector of the Ukrainian People's Republic.
- Ruslan Pankevych: Ukrainian politician, lobbying executive, and public policy expert.
- Walt Pankevych: American businessman, philanthropist, and entrepreneur.
- Yuri Pankevych: Ukrainian politician, participating in the independent Ukraine movement.
- Zenon Pankevych: Ukrainian musicologist, composer, and ethnomusicologist.
- Sergiy Pankevych: Ukrainian journalist, author, and editor-in-chief of the League of Ukrainian Journalists.