The origin of the surname Bukala is believed to be Slavic, specifically from Eastern Europe, primarily within Poland and Czech Republic. It is derived from a variety of place names containing the element "Buk" meaning beech tree in Slovak, Czech, and some Polish dialects. Surnames originated as a way for officials to distinguish individuals with the same given name, thus Bukala could have been originally someone who lived near or was associated with a location bearing that name. However, it's important to note that surname origins can be complex and may also have variations based on regional spelling differences, migration patterns, and historical events.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Bukala
The meaning and origin of the last name Bukala
The surname Bukala is primarily of Slavic origin, more specifically Polish and Czech, although it may also be found among the dispersed Polish communities in other countries. The name is derived from various geographical places or topographic features found throughout Poland and the Czech Republic. For instance, "Bukala" can stem from several villages with this name in these regions, such as Bukała in Poland's Masovian Voivodeship or Bukalá in the Czech Republic's Moravia-Silesia Region. It is also possible that the surname originates from topographical features like small forests or groves (buki in Polish) where the original bearer lived, which would explain its derivation from similar place names. Over time, individuals with this surname migrated to other countries, spreading the name globally.
Geographical distribution of the last name Bukala
The surname Bukala is predominantly found in Central Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is one of the common surnames in the DRC and is mainly concentrated in the provinces of Kasaï, Kasai-Central, Lomami, Sankuru, Tanganyika, and Haut-Katanga. The name may also be found in smaller numbers in other African countries due to migration, but its concentration remains high in the DRC. In a global context, Bukala is relatively uncommon outside of Central Africa.
Variants and spellings of the last name Bukala
The surname Bukala can have various spelling variations due to differences in transcription and translation over time, as well as regional dialects. Some common variations include Bucala, Buczala, Buczola, Buchala, Bucalo, Bukalow, Bukolowski, Bukalla, and Bukalo. These variations may arise from misspellings, phonetic spelling based on pronunciation in different regions or languages, and changes in the orthography of names over time. It is essential to note that these variations can have origins from different ethnic groups and countries, making it a multicultural name with diverse roots.
Famous people with the last name Bukala
Bukala is an uncommon surname, but it has produced some notable figures across various fields. One of the most prominent individuals with this last name is Tomáš Bukálă (born 1968), a Czech former footballer who played as a defender. He began his career at Bohemians Prague and later moved to FC Bayern Munich, where he won multiple Bundesliga titles and the UEFA Champions League. Another notable figure is Zlatko Bukala (born 1957), a Canadian politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Mississauga—Malton from 2006 to 2011 and again from 2015 to 2019, representing the Liberal Party. Lastly, Jana Bukalová (born 1978) is a Czech-born Canadian actress who has appeared in various television shows and films, including the critically acclaimed series Schitt's Creek and the film Antiviral. These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields, making them notable figures with the last name Bukala.
Genealogical research on the last name Bukala
The Bukala surname is of Slavic origin and is believed to have roots in Central Europe, specifically in Poland and the Czech Republic. The name can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where it was common among Slavic tribes. It is derived from a personal name, Buka, which means "rich" or "wealthy."
In Poland, the Bukala surname is most commonly found in regions such as Masovia and Silesia. In the Czech Republic, the town of Buková in the Pardubice Region has a significant number of people with this last name.
Historical records show that the Bukalas migrated to other parts of Europe and the Americas during the 19th and 20th centuries due to factors such as political unrest, economic opportunities, and religious persecution. In the United States, for instance, a significant number of Bukalas settled in states like Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio, with the first recorded immigration occurring in the mid-19th century.
Today, the Bukala surname is present worldwide, primarily in Poland, the Czech Republic, the United States, and other countries with a significant Polish or Czech immigrant population. Genealogical research on this name can be complex due to spelling variations, such as Bukala, Bukaly, Bukalla, etc., but can be facilitated by resources like census records, church documents, and family histories.
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The surname Buka is of Dutch origin, specifically from the province of Zeeland. It is derived from a topographic name for someone who lived near a beech tree, as "buik" in Dutch me...
The last name Bukasa Kalongo is of African origin. Bukasa is a name from the Luba ethnic group in the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Kalongo is a name from the Acholi ethnic g...
The last name "Bukaya" is of African origin, specifically from the Luhya tribe in Kenya. It is used predominantly by the Luhya people and is likely derived from a specific geograph...
The last name "Bukayo" originates from the Philippines. The name is derived from the Tagalog word "bukayo," which refers to a sweet coconut candy traditionally made from coconut, s...
The last name "Bukele" is from El Salvador. It is a common surname in this Central American country. The name may have Spanish or indigenous origins, but it is often linked to Salv...
The last name "Bukh" originates from Belarus and is of Jewish descent. It is derived from the Yiddish word "bukh," which means "book" or "written work." The name likely originally ...
The surname "bukhaddooy" is believed to have originated in the Middle East, specifically in Arab countries. It is likely to be of Arabic origin and could possibly be a variation or...
The last name Bukhalaf is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "khalaaf", meaning "successor" or "heir". It is a common surname among Arab families.
The last name "Bukhari" is of Arabic origin and is commonly associated with those of the Islamic faith. It is derived from the city of Bukhara in present-day Uzbekistan. The suffix...
The surname Bukish is of Polish origin. It is derived from the Polish word "buk," which means "beech tree." It is believed that this surname may have originally been used to descri...
The last name "Bukka" is of African origin, specifically from Nigeria. It is believed to be derived from the Yoruba word "gbòkà" which means "the first child."
The last name "Bukova" is of Slavic origin, and it is derived from the word "buk", which means "beech tree" in several Slavic languages. The surname likely indicates an ancestor wh...
