What is the origin of the last name Loncaric?

The surname Loncaric is of Croatian origin. It's derived from a place name or a personal name. In Croatia, it could be associated with several places named Lončarica, Lončari, or Lončarić, which are typically small settlements or villages. Alternatively, the surname might have originated from the male given name Lončar, which is a variant of Leonhard, a Germanic name derived from elements meaning "lion" and "brave." As with many surnames, the exact origin can vary depending on individual family histories.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Loncaric

The meaning and origin of the last name Loncaric

The surname Loncaric is of Croatian origin, specifically from the region of Dalmatia. It is derived from a place name or an occupational title. The name can be traced back to various locations that were named "Lončar" in medieval Croatia, which meant a settlement with wooden huts or shelters. Alternatively, the surname could have originated from the occupation of a loncar, meaning a roofer or carpenter in Old Croatian. Over time, various spellings and variations of the name have emerged due to translation errors, regional dialects, and migration. Some other forms include Lončaric, Longarcich, Longarici, Longarec, and Langarici.

Geographical distribution of the last name Loncaric

The surname Loncaric is predominantly found in Slavonia, a historical region in eastern Croatia. It originates from the town of Lonjica, located within Slavonia. Its frequency significantly decreases outside of this region in Croatia, but can be traced in smaller numbers across other parts of former Yugoslavia countries due to migration during historical periods and post-World War II displacement. In addition, there are also communities of Loncarics in Western countries with significant immigrant populations from the Balkans, such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.

Variants and spellings of the last name Loncaric

The surname Loncaric can be spelled and variated in several ways due to differences in transcription, pronunciation, and regional influences. Some common variations include Loncarick, Loncharic, Loncaritch, Loncarich, Longcaric, Longcharic, Longcaritch, Longcarich, and possibly others based on the transliteration from different languages or dialects. These variations may also be influenced by the country of origin, with some regions favoring specific spellings over others. It's essential to understand that these variations are not necessarily indicative of separate families but rather represent differences in how the same name was recorded at various times and places.

Famous people with the last name Loncaric

Notable individuals with the surname Lončarić include:

1. Matej Lončarić (born 1972), a Croatian footballer who played as a defender, most notably for Dinamo Zagreb and NK Varteks. He also represented the Croatia national team in several international competitions.

2. Željko Lončaric (born 1958), a Canadian actor of Serbian descent. His acting career spans over three decades with notable roles in films like "The Peacemakers" and TV shows such as "Stargate SG-1".

3. Nikola Lončarić (1760–1825), a Croatian revolutionary leader who participated in the Croatian National Revival movement of the 19th century. He was one of the signatories of the Karlovac Agreement in 1848, which aimed to establish an independent Croatian state.

These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields and have left a lasting impact on their communities.

Genealogical research on the last name Loncaric

The Loncaric surname is of Croatian origin, derived from various places named Lončar or Loncar in Croatia. One of the earliest records of the Loncaric family can be traced back to the 13th century in the region of Dalmatia. Throughout history, the name has multiple spellings such as Loncarich, Loncár, and Loncaric due to variations in transcription and translation.

The Loncarics migrated from Croatia during the 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily settling in countries like Austria-Hungary, Germany, and the United States in search of better opportunities. In the U.S., the name is most frequently found in states such as California, Illinois, and Michigan.

Notable individuals bearing the Loncaric surname include Ivan Lončar (1853-1926), a Croatian politician and historian, and Dragan Loncaric (born 1944), a Yugoslav water polo player who won three Olympic gold medals. The Loncaric family tree continues to grow and diversify across the globe, with many branches maintaining strong connections to their Croatian roots.

Last name distribution maps

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NomOrigine Team
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.

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