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Archiver > NEPLATTE > 2005-01 > 1106630155


From: "Thomas E. Lassek" <>
Subject: GACARZ - GANCARZ
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 23:15:55 -0600
References: <20050124.180921.668.26.grammagum1@juno.com>


". . . . . By the way, the name of Gacarz I have seen many times on records as GANcarz so I wonder if that is the proper spelling? . . . . . "

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You know, it's funny you should say that. When I answered the original email I did some tangent research on this surname and found the issue somewhat confusing. This prompted me to open a beer. I had no clear answer (in a few words), so I didn't comment. Logically, the proper spelling is in the record extract. All one can do is look at that surname again and or ask others for an opinion.

I think it's safe to state that the "ARZ" suffix is common to both spellings and probably correct. If that is so, then the "ARZ" suffix is used with a root verb to create a surname that fit's persons known for constantly performing the action associated with the verb. It's also used used as a suffix when added to adjectives or nouns as well, which denotes a person't distinctive feature or characteristic which eventually "stuck" as surnames. In antiquity, it's quite possible that the Family surname was simply GAC, GANC, or a variable. Perhaps it was the first root of an ancient dithematic surname.

The root is a problem here. My references run me all over the place. Apparently, the influence of the Eastern Slavic languages (Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian) cause confusion with respect to the first letter, "G". The letter "H" and the letters "CH" have to be equally considered as substitutions. The surname could well be Hacarz or Chacarz. Then there are the diacritical marks - quite maddening. Only the proper spelling will clarify the situation.

If the surname is spelled as GACARZ, then the GAC portion is derived from a verb root or action, which meets the parameters of the suffix, from the Polish root word "gacac~" which means "to go quickly".

Now, there is another spelling "GA~C". It's possible that the diacritical mark was dropped or not put in the records. If this is so, then the surname would be "GA~CARZ". The prefix "GA~C" defaults to "GONT", with the Polish root word "gont" meaning "shingle". There is quite a list of surname variants, all of which are very close to GANCARZ.

Ah well - I suppose only the correct spelling of the surname in the old records will clear this up.

Tom Lassek
Eufaula Alabama




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