The surname Zelko is of Slavic origin and is derived from the given name Zelimir, which means "rule of God" or "God's rule." It is a variant of the more common Slavic surnames such as Zeleny (green) or Zelinsky (son of Zelimir). The surname Zelko can be found among different Slavic populations, but it is most commonly associated with Croatia and other Eastern European countries.
The surname Zelko is primarily of Slavic origin, more specifically associated with Eastern Europe, particularly Croatia, Slovakia, and Serbia. It's a variant of the name Secko or Željko, which are derived from the old Slavic personal name Želimir or Želik, meaning "famous peace" or "peaceful fame." The surname Zelko emerged as a patronymic, indicating that it was derived from the father's first name. Over time, it has been transmitted and adapted in various ways due to migration and assimilation processes, resulting in its presence among different ethnic groups and countries.
The surname Zelko is primarily distributed across Eastern Europe and its diaspora, with significant concentrations in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia, reflecting its Slavic origin. It is also found among the Croatian and Slovene communities in other parts of the world, particularly in Western countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, due to migration during the 20th century. In the United States, the highest concentration of the Zelko surname can be found in states with a large Slavic-American population such as Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and California. However, it is important to note that the distribution of the name can vary greatly depending on specific regional migration patterns and historical circumstances.
The surname Zelko can have several variations and spellings due to regional differences and individual preferences. Some of these include: Zelko, Zielke, Zeilko, Zielkowski (a Polish patronymic), Zeilkova (Czech feminine form), Zielkewicz (Polish variant with the addition of the common Polish surname suffix "-wicz"), and Zelkovich (Bulgarian variant). It's important to note that the original origins and pronunciations of these variations may differ slightly, as they might have originated from different countries or families.
Notable individuals with the surname Zelko include:
1. Frank Zelko (1925-2014), an American composer and conductor known for his work on the Broadway musical "West Side Story".
2. Ljubomir "Ljupko" Zeljkó (born 1967), a Croatian retired footballer who played as a forward, most notably for Dinamo Zagreb and the Croatia national team.
3. John Zelkó (1948-2012), an American entrepreneur and co-founder of the software company MicroPro International, best known for its WordStar word processing software.
4. Božidar Zeljko (born 1960), a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL).
5. Tara Zelinka (born 1973), an American actress, best known for her role as Vicky Vale in the 1990 Batman film.
These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields such as music, sports, business, and entertainment.
The surname Zelko originates from Slavic roots and is predominantly found among Central and Eastern European populations, particularly in Croatia, Slovakia, and Poland. Its variations include Zelka, Zelkovich, Zelkowski, and Zelek.
The name is thought to derive from the personal name Sele or Selko, meaning 'shadow' or 'black' in Old Slavic languages. The surname may have been occupational, denoting a dark-skinned person, or topographical, referring to a dark or shady place.
The Zelko family has a notable history in Croatia, with records tracing back to the 14th century. Prominent figures include Franjo Zelko, a prominent Croatian sculptor, and Marijan Zelko, a renowned Croatian painter. In Slovakia, the Zelko family is known for their contributions in politics and education.
The name's global distribution is relatively low, with a significant presence in Croatia, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, due to migration waves over the centuries.
Chargement de la carte...
Enter the surname you are looking for below:
surnames > zelalem
The last name "Zelalem" is of Ethiopian origin. It is a common Amharic name given to both males and females, meaning "eternal" or "everlasting" in the Amharic language. It is often...
surnames > zelany
The last name "Zelany" does not have a well-documented origin. It is not a widely known or common surname, and there is limited information available about its specific origins or ...
surnames > zelaznog
The name Zelaznog is Polish and appears mainly in the region of Poland and Ukraine. It is a surname that derives from the Polish word "żelazny" meaning "iron" or "lighter". This s...
surnames > zelensky
The last name Zelensky is a variation of the surname Zelinsky or Zelenskiy. It is derived from the Russian or Ukrainian word "zelenyy," meaning "green." This surname is quite commo...
surnames > zelhof
The last name Zelhof does not have a clear origin or meaning. It appears to be a relatively rare surname and may have originated from a personal name or place name in the past. Wit...
surnames > zelie
The surname Zelie does not have a definitively known single origin, as it can be found across various regions and cultures due to multiple possible origins. However, some theories ...
surnames > zelik
The last name Zelik has Jewish origins, derived from the given name Sele, which means "strength" in Hebrew. It is believed to have been used as a nickname for someone who was stron...
surnames > zelin
The surname Zelin is of Russian origin. It is derived from the given name Selin, which means "forester" in Russian. It is believed to have been a surname adopted by individuals who...
surnames > zella
The last name Zella is of German origin. It is a variant of the name Zeller, which means "cellar" in German. The name may have originally been a topographic surname for someone who...
surnames > zellagui
The last name "Zellagui" is of Algerian origin. It is a surname commonly found among the Berber population in Algeria. The name may have originated from a specific tribe or region ...
surnames > zeller
The last name "Zeller" is of German origin. It is derived from the occupational name "Zeller," which means "cellarer" or "keeper of the cellar" in German. In medieval times, a cell...
surnames > zellhuber
The last name Zellhuber is of German origin. It is derived from the word "zell", meaning "cell" or "monastery", and "huber", meaning "tenant" or "farmer". The name likely originate...
surnames > zelli
The last name "Zelli" is of Italian origin. It is believed to be derived from the personal name "Zelio," which itself is a variant of the name "Zilio." This surname may have origin...
surnames > zelmanski
The surname Zelmanowski (or Zelmanski) is of Polish and Jewish origins. It is derived from the male given name Zalman, which means "God is peace" in Hebrew. The name was brought to...
surnames > zelmar
The surname "Zelmar" is a variant of the German surname "Seldmann," which is derived from the given names Seliman, Salman, or Solomon, combined with the diminutive suffix "-mann." ...