Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Nack

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Nack?

The surname "Nack" has Germanic origins and is derived from the Middle High German word "nacke," which means "back of the neck." It was originally an occupational name for a butcher, as the butcher would often cut meat from the back of the animal's neck. Alternatively, it could have been a nickname for someone with a noticeable or unique feature on their neck. The surname is also found in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, where it may have a different origin or meaning.
Want to turn this name into a keepsake? Give a star certificate in their name.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Nack

The meaning and origin of the last name Nack

The surname Nack is of German origin, stemming from various places across Germany such as Nackenau (Lower Lusatia), Nackel (Schleswig-Holstein), or the now Polish city Nekla (formerly known as Nackel). The name is thought to have been derived from a geographical feature like a small hill, knoll, or cape denoted by 'nacke' in Low German dialect. Alternatively, it could be an occupational name for someone who worked with nets, as 'Nack' could refer to a net-maker in Middle High German, although this interpretation is less common. Over time, the spelling of the surname has evolved due to linguistic and regional variations. The popularity of the Nack surname can be found predominantly among people of German descent, with significant numbers in Germany, the United States, Canada, and other countries where German immigration was substantial.

Geographical distribution of the last name Nack

The surname Nack is predominantly found in Germany and its surrounding regions, primarily due to its Germanic origin. In Germany, it is most frequent in the northern states such as Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and Hamburg. Additionally, significant numbers of people with the last name Nack can be found in other German-speaking countries like Austria and Switzerland. Emigration patterns during the 19th and early 20th centuries led to a scattering of families with this surname across North America, particularly in the United States and Canada, as well as Australia and New Zealand. The distribution of the Nack surname outside of its historical homeland is thus primarily a result of immigration from German-speaking regions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Nack

The surname Nack, or Nacke, has several variations due to spelling differences, regional influences, and historical transcriptions. Some common variations include Naack, Nache, Nahck, and Nakke. These variations can be found in countries such as Germany, where the name originates, as well as in other regions with Germanic settlements. In some cases, the name may also have been anglicized to Nock or Knack in English-speaking areas. It is important to note that these variations are not necessarily indicative of any specific family lineage, as surnames were often altered during immigration and assimilation processes over time.

Famous people with the last name Nack

Notable individuals with the surname Nack include:

1. **Walter Nack** (born 1963), an American former professional football player who played as a fullback for the Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the National Football League (NFL).

2. **Karl-Heinz Nack** (1945-2013), a German politician who served as the Mayor of Potsdam from 1986 to 1990 and again from 2001 until his death.

3. **Craig Nack** is an American animator, artist, and comic book writer, best known for his work on Marvel Comics titles like 'Spider-Man', 'Iron Man', and 'Fantastic Four'.

4. **Morris Nack** (1892-1976), an American lawyer and philanthropist who was the founding partner of law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. He was also a significant benefactor to Princeton University and New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

5. **Gerhard Nack** (born 1947), a German film director who has worked on various television series and films, including 'Der Bergdoktor', 'Tatort', and 'In aller Freundschaft'.

Genealogical research on the last name Nack

The surname Nack is primarily of German origin, stemming from the Middle High German word "Nacke," meaning "neck" or "nape." Early records show the family emerging in regions such as Prussia and Saxony during the Late Middle Ages. Prominent figures bearing this name include Heinrich Nack, a knight who lived around 1400 A.D. in Silesia, and Matthäus Nack, a mayor of the city of Bautzen in the 16th century. The family immigrated to North America during the 18th and 19th centuries, settling primarily in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas. Notable American descendants include artists such as painters Lillian Orme Nack (1872-1944) and her brother Ralph Albert Nack (1869-1953), who were members of the "The Ten" group in New York City during the early 20th century. Today, the Nack family can be found worldwide, with concentrations in the United States, Germany, Canada, and Australia.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

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.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Nacario semilla

Last name • surnames > nacario-semilla

The last name Nacario Semilla is of Filipino origin.

#2 Nacash

Last name • surnames > nacash

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

#3 Naccache

Last name • surnames > naccache

The last name "Naccache" is of Arabic origin, specifically Lebanese. It is derived from the Arabic word "naqqash," which means "artist" or "engraver." Historically, individuals wit...

#4 Naccache ramadan

Last name • surnames > naccache-ramadan

The last name Naccache Ramadan has origins in Lebanon and the broader Middle East region. The surname Naccache is of Lebanese origin, while Ramadan is a common surname in many Arab...

#5 Naces

Last name • surnames > naces

The surname "Naces" is of Spanish origin. It is a toponymic surname derived from various places in Spain called Naces. These places could have gotten their names from a Spanish wor...

#6 Nachabe

Last name • surnames > nachabe

The surname "Nachabe" is a name of Arab origin, especially widespread in Lebanon. It could derive from the Arabic "Najab", which means "loose" or "give praise". This last name may ...

#7 Nachan

Last name • surnames > nachan

The last name "Nachan" is of Hebrew origin. It is a surname commonly found among Jewish families. The name may have originated as a patronymic surname, derived from the given name ...

#8 Nachangovander

Last name • surnames > nachangovander

The last name "Nachangovander" appears to have Dutch origins. It may be derived from a Dutch surname such as Van der Nachang, which typically indicates a geographical or occupation...

#9 Nachar

Last name • surnames > nachar

The surname "Nachar" is believed to have originated from various regions in the Middle East, including Arab countries such as Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. It is derived from the Arabi...

#10 Nacharam

Last name • surnames > nacharam

The last name "Nacharam" has origins in India. It is believed to be of Telugu descent, originating from the Telangana region.

#11 Nachare

Last name • surnames > nachare

The last name "Nachare" is of Indian origin and is most commonly found in the state of Maharashtra. It is believed to be derived from the Marathi word "nachanar," which means "danc...

#12 Nachaty

Last name • surnames > nachaty

The last name "Nachaty" appears to have Sephardic Jewish origins, specifically among populations from the Iberian Peninsula. This surname may have originated from a topographic or ...

#13 Nachbar

Last name • surnames > nachbar

The surname Nachbar is of German origin. The word "Nachbar" translates to 'neighbor' in English, and it was often used as an occupational name for someone who had a profession rela...

#14 Nached

Last name • surnames > nached

The surname Nached is of Arabic origin and is likely derived from the Arabic word "najd," which means "highland" or "plateau." It is a relatively common surname in Arabic-speaking ...

#15 Nacher

Last name • surnames > nacher

The surname Nacher is believed to have originated from several regions in Europe, most notably Spain and France. In Spanish, "Nacher" can be a variant spelling of the surname "Naqu...