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PLACZEK Origin of surname

PLACZEK, PLACEK, PLATSCHEK

Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name is a toponymic (derived from a geographic name of a town, city, region or country). Surnames that are based on place names do not always testify to direct origin from that place, but may indicate an indirect relation between the name-bearer or his ancestors and the place, such as birth place, temporary residence, trade, or family-relatives.

The names in this group are abbreviations of Czech diminutives of Pol(l)ak ("Pole/from Poland"). A striking example of a place name from which family names are derived is Poland, with one of the biggest and most important Jewish populations in the European Diaspora until the Holocaust. The terms Pollak (German), Polacco (Italian), Polonais (French), Polacek (Czech), were used to describe a person from that country. Polsky (the adjective in Polish) and their derivatives - including abbreviations and extensions influenced by the languages spoken by the ethnic majorities among whom Jews lived at the time - produced numerous variants of family names, all of which mean "Pole" or "Polish". The family name Pollack is documented in the 15th century in northern Bohemia, where it also appears as Polak in the 16th century. Benedikt Pollak of Prague attended the Leipzig fair in Germany in 1675, as did several Jews calling themselves Polack in 1676. The form Poll (which could be an abbreviation of Pollak or Pole) is found in the 1693 list of Jewish Leipzig fair visitors. Pohlack is documented in 1697 in Mannheim, Germany; Polacke in 1739 in Metz, France, and Pollyak in 1746 in Pressburg (Bratislava) in Slovakia. In 1751 the Jews attending the Leipzig fair included Lazarus Polazcsik, and in 1761 Enoch Polatschik. Polonais is documented in Paris in 1780 and Pollonais in 1798 in Nice, France. The variants Bolac, Bol(l)ack, Bol(l)ach and Bolackin were current in Alsace in the late 18th century. Polyakov/Poliakof(f), Polonsky and Polsky became frequent in 19th century Russia and America. Lengyel, the Hungarian term for "Pole"/"Polish" was often adopted in the 19th century. The mid 20th century witnessed the birth of new French forms Bollack; Poulain from Pollak, and Poliet from Poliakof.

Distinguished bearers of the family name Placzek include the chief rabbi of Moravia (Czech Republic), Abraham Placzek (1799-1884).

Abraham Placzek (1799-1884), Chief Rabbi (Landesrabbiner) of Moravia, born in Prerov (Prerau, in German), Moravia, Czech Republic (then part of the Austrian Empire). In 1827 he became rabbi in Prerov, and, in 1832 in Hranice (Maehrisch Weisskirchen, in German). From 1840 until his death he was rabbi in Boskovice. When Samson Raphael Hirsch left the Landesrabbinat of Moravia in 1851, the provincial authorities appointed Placzek acting Landesrabbiner, declaring the election regulations of 1754 obsolete. He held the post until his death. By this act the Landesrabbinat was removed from Mikulov after more than 200 years.

Placzek was considered an outstanding Talmudic scholar and was strictly Orthodox, supporting Solomon Spitzer in his struggle against liturgical reform in Vienna (1872). Nevertheless he attempted to avoid open conflicts between the factions, both in Boskovice and in Moravia.

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PLACZEK Origin of surname
PLACZEK, PLACEK, PLATSCHEK

Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name is a toponymic (derived from a geographic name of a town, city, region or country). Surnames that are based on place names do not always testify to direct origin from that place, but may indicate an indirect relation between the name-bearer or his ancestors and the place, such as birth place, temporary residence, trade, or family-relatives.

The names in this group are abbreviations of Czech diminutives of Pol(l)ak ("Pole/from Poland"). A striking example of a place name from which family names are derived is Poland, with one of the biggest and most important Jewish populations in the European Diaspora until the Holocaust. The terms Pollak (German), Polacco (Italian), Polonais (French), Polacek (Czech), were used to describe a person from that country. Polsky (the adjective in Polish) and their derivatives - including abbreviations and extensions influenced by the languages spoken by the ethnic majorities among whom Jews lived at the time - produced numerous variants of family names, all of which mean "Pole" or "Polish". The family name Pollack is documented in the 15th century in northern Bohemia, where it also appears as Polak in the 16th century. Benedikt Pollak of Prague attended the Leipzig fair in Germany in 1675, as did several Jews calling themselves Polack in 1676. The form Poll (which could be an abbreviation of Pollak or Pole) is found in the 1693 list of Jewish Leipzig fair visitors. Pohlack is documented in 1697 in Mannheim, Germany; Polacke in 1739 in Metz, France, and Pollyak in 1746 in Pressburg (Bratislava) in Slovakia. In 1751 the Jews attending the Leipzig fair included Lazarus Polazcsik, and in 1761 Enoch Polatschik. Polonais is documented in Paris in 1780 and Pollonais in 1798 in Nice, France. The variants Bolac, Bol(l)ack, Bol(l)ach and Bolackin were current in Alsace in the late 18th century. Polyakov/Poliakof(f), Polonsky and Polsky became frequent in 19th century Russia and America. Lengyel, the Hungarian term for "Pole"/"Polish" was often adopted in the 19th century. The mid 20th century witnessed the birth of new French forms Bollack; Poulain from Pollak, and Poliet from Poliakof.

Distinguished bearers of the family name Placzek include the chief rabbi of Moravia (Czech Republic), Abraham Placzek (1799-1884).
Written by researchers of ANU Museum of the Jewish People
Abraham Placzek

Abraham Placzek (1799-1884), Chief Rabbi (Landesrabbiner) of Moravia, born in Prerov (Prerau, in German), Moravia, Czech Republic (then part of the Austrian Empire). In 1827 he became rabbi in Prerov, and, in 1832 in Hranice (Maehrisch Weisskirchen, in German). From 1840 until his death he was rabbi in Boskovice. When Samson Raphael Hirsch left the Landesrabbinat of Moravia in 1851, the provincial authorities appointed Placzek acting Landesrabbiner, declaring the election regulations of 1754 obsolete. He held the post until his death. By this act the Landesrabbinat was removed from Mikulov after more than 200 years.

Placzek was considered an outstanding Talmudic scholar and was strictly Orthodox, supporting Solomon Spitzer in his struggle against liturgical reform in Vienna (1872). Nevertheless he attempted to avoid open conflicts between the factions, both in Boskovice and in Moravia.