The surname Selak is believed to have origins in Croatia and Slovenia. It is a patronymic surname derived from the male given name Selah, which comes from Hebrew language and means "rock" or "cliff." However, it's important to note that the distribution of this surname also extends beyond Croatia and Slovenia due to historical migration patterns. For a more accurate and detailed etymology, further research may be required, such as examining genealogical records or consulting with a local historian from those regions.
The surname Selak is primarily of Slavic origin, specifically associated with Croatia, Bosnia, and other regions within the Balkan peninsula. The name is believed to have derived from various sources, one of which could be the South Slavic word "selo" meaning 'village' or 'settlement'. It is possible that early bearers of this surname lived in a village, or perhaps they originated from a place named after such a geographical feature. Another theory suggests the name might have been a topographic name for someone who lived near a clearing or open area. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the name may have varied due to migration and assimilation, leading to its current forms in different regions.
The surname Selak has its roots predominantly in Croatia, where it is most frequently found in regions such as Istria, Kvarner, and Gorski Kotar. It also has a significant presence in other parts of the former Yugoslavia, including Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia. Additionally, there are smaller but notable communities of individuals with the surname Selak in other countries with large Croatian diaspora populations, such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. The name is thought to be a patronymic derived from the male given name Selo, meaning "village" in Slavic languages.
The surname Selak has multiple variations and spellings. Some common variants include Selack, Selhk, and Sellick. These variations may be due to spelling errors or regional dialects over time. Other less common variations might include Selick, Selakowski, and Zielak, which could potentially have originated from similar-sounding names or different transliterations from other languages. The original origins of the name are not entirely clear, but it is believed to be of Slavic or Polish ancestry, with possible derivations from the words "selo" meaning village in Slavic languages and "Zielony" meaning green in Polish.
Notable individuals with the surname Selak include:
1. Mate Selak (born 1947), a Croatian actor and theater director. He is best known for his role as Mato Granić in the TV series "Crno-bijeli svijet" (Black-White World).
2. Vesna Selak (born 1983), a Serbian handball player who competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics. She won a bronze medal as part of the Yugoslavia national team in women's handball.
3. Petar Selak (1956-1991), a Croatian footballer who played for clubs such as Dinamo Zagreb and Red Star Belgrade, and was a member of the Yugoslavia national team. He died tragically in a car accident at the age of 34.
4. Slobodan Selak (born 1956), a Serbian politician who served as Minister of Defense from 2008 to 2012, during the government of Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković. He is also a member of the Socialist Party of Serbia.
The surname Selak is believed to have origins in Croatia, specifically in the region of Dalmatia. Historically, it is associated with the coastal cities of Split and Dubrovnik. The name is thought to be derived from the Slavic word "selo," meaning village or settlement. Records indicate that the Selak family can be traced back to the 15th century in these regions. Throughout history, various branches of the Selak family have migrated to other parts of Europe and the Americas, particularly to Germany, Austria, Hungary, and the United States. Notable figures with the surname Selak include Ivan Selak, a Croatian footballer, and Aleksandar Selak, a Serbian politician.
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