Last Name Laskine

The surname Laskine has multiple possible origins, but one of the most common theories traces it back to France and Russia. In France, Laskine is a variant of the Jewish surname Lasky or Lasquy, which may have originated from the Yiddish word "lask," meaning "boxwood." Boxwood trees were often used in Jewish rituals, such as the making of the Torah scroll case. In Russia, Laskine is a variant of Lasovsky, Lasovskyy, or Laskovsky, which are surnames derived from place names like Lasovka, a settlement in Ukraine, or Lasova Gora, a mountain near Moscow. These names may have been originally geographical and later adopted as surnames during the Russian Empire's census of 1834. It's also worth noting that Laskine can be a French form of the German surname Laschke, which means "short" or "stout." Without additional context or specific family history, it's challenging to pinpoint an exact origin for any given instance of the name Laskine.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Laskine

The meaning and origin of the last name Laskine

The surname Laskine is of Jewish origin, specifically from the Ashkenazi community in Eastern Europe. It is an occupational name derived from the Yiddish word "lakhn" which means "tailor." The name was often given to individuals who were tailors by profession or apprentices learning the craft.

The surname Laskine, with its variations such as Laschinsky, Lasky, and Laskin, began to appear in Jewish records during the Middle Ages when occupational names became more common within the Jewish community due to societal restrictions against them holding non-occupational names like those of their Christian neighbors. The name spread throughout Eastern Europe and was eventually brought to other parts of the world by Jewish immigrants.

Geographical distribution of the last name Laskine

The surname Laskine is primarily concentrated in Central and Eastern European countries, particularly Poland and Russia, due to historical Jewish populations. Smaller numbers can also be found in Israel as a result of Jewish immigration during the 20th century. In the United States, the name has been traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mainly among Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, with significant concentrations in New York City and its surrounding areas. Smaller populations can be found in other parts of North America, such as Canada and Mexico, and also in Western European countries like France and the United Kingdom, primarily due to migration waves during the 20th century. In recent times, there have been sporadic occurrences of Laskine in various countries around the world, likely due to global mobility and intermarriage.

Variants and spellings of the last name Laskine

The surname Laskine has several variants and spellings due to historical transcription errors, regional dialects, and individual preferences. Some common variations include Laskey, Lasky, Lasquin, Lasquen, Lasquinie, Lascune, and Laskin. These variations may stem from alterations in spelling over time or adaptions to fit the phonetic structure of a specific language or dialect. Additionally, there might be slight differences in spelling due to changes in immigration records during various periods and locations. Despite these variations, all these forms can generally be traced back to the original surname Laskine.

Famous people with the last name Laskine

Notable individuals bearing the surname Laskine include:

1. Isaac Laskine (1892-1958), an American chess grandmaster who was the world champion from 1937 to 1948, and is considered one of the greatest players of all time.

2. Michel Laskine (born 1936), a French philosopher and sociologist known for his work on social and political theory, particularly his studies on bureaucracy and power structures.

3. Régis Laskine (born 1940), a French film director, screenwriter, and actor who has worked extensively in both films and television since the 1960s. His works include "Le Témoin" and "La Maison de sable."

4. Yitzhak Laskin (1875-1941), a Russian Jewish writer, poet, playwright, and journalist who wrote in both Hebrew and Yiddish. His most famous work is the novel "The Lost Paradise," which was published posthumously.

Genealogical research on the last name Laskine

The Laskine surname is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin and is believed to have derived from the towns Laszkin or Laszky in Hungary. Early records show that the name was spelled variously as Lasken, Laskin, Laskyn, and Lasky, which reflect the phonetic changes and transliteration of Hebrew names into different alphabets. The family is thought to have migrated from Eastern Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with a significant number settling in the United States. Notable individuals bearing the Laskine name include Samuel Laskine, a prominent Jewish leader in New York City during the early 20th century, and Solomon Laskine, a pioneering American rabbi who served as the first president of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Research into the Laskine family tree is ongoing, with numerous resources available for genealogical exploration, including historical census records, immigration lists, and synagogue registers.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "laskine"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
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 : 29 July 2025

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