Surname Pikus - Meaning and Origin
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Pikus: What does the surname Pikus mean?
The last name Pikus is most likely of Eastern European origins and may be derived from the Polish word "Pik" which means "sharp point." Pikus is derived from this root and can mean "full of sharp points" or "full of thorns."
The name could also have arrived with immigrants to the United States who were seeking a better life and hoping to start a new life for their families. The name suggests that those who carried it perhaps had to pass through difficult times and perhaps even hardships in order for them to make it to their new home.
Pikus can also mean "pointed or pointed-haired" in Yiddish, lending a suggestion that the name's original bearers may have been of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. There is also an Estonian variant of the name, which is "Pikar" and it means "clever."
In some instances, the surname Pikus might even be a variant of the Greek word “Pikos” which can mean “fleece” or “shepherd.” Thus, this could suggest that the bearers of the name have its origins in agrarian cultures.
In terms of family coat of arms, the Pikus surname is linked to the coat of arms of the Menges family in Germany, where an eagle is present, symbolizing courage, strength, and power, as well as a shield bearing the colors white, blue, and red.
Each country in Europe has its own etymology of the Pikus surname, showing how versatile the surname can be, and how many different meanings and origins it has throughout Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisPikus: Where does the name Pikus come from?
The last name Pikus is most commonly found in the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. As of 2007, the surname was the 25th most common in Lithuania, while in Latvia it stood at 65th, and in Estonia it ranked 219th out of 39,386 family names.
The surname is thought to be derived from the Lithuanian word pikuose, meaning ‘in the woods’, due to its habitation by a family who lived near a wooded area. According to some sources, the first known bearer of the name was Mykolas Pikušas, a landowner who lived in the 17th century.
Today, there are many ways in which the name is spelled. For example, in Lithuania the surname is sometimes written as Pykus or Pÿkus, and in Estonia as Pikus. In all cases the origin and meaning remain unchanged.
Outside of the Baltic states the Pikus name is virtually non-existent, with only seven recorded in the United States between 1880 and 1940, all of whom emigrated from Lithuania.
Variations of the surname Pikus
The surname Pikus is a patronymic surname of Lithuanian origin, derived from the personal name Pikus. Many variants and spelling variations of this family name have developed over time, including Pikiene, Pikiel, Pikka, Pikkaa, Pikkis, Pikkonen, Piklos, Pikul, Pikulik, Pikulski, Pikuwa, Pikus, Pikte, Pikte-Pikkel, Piktas, Piltys and Pikule. It is also spelled as Pyk and Pyka in some regions.
It is common for surname spelling variations to occur, as many records used the local dialect or chose to use alternate spelling in their transcriptions. It is not uncommon for individuals to change their name, especially to one that is more easily recognized or pronounced by English-speaking populations.
In addition to these spelling variations, this surname may also be found as a surname with a different origin, such as Peikys, from the Lithuanian village of Peikys, or Poleschik, a name of Ukrainian origin derived from the Polish word 'połysk,' meaning 'glitter or shine.'
In some cases, Pikus may also be found as a shortened version of Pikiene. Since the surname originates from a personal name, different forms of it may often be found in different languages. For instance, the feminized form of this surname in Lithuanian is Pikienė.
Pikus is a fairly common surname, with thousands of individuals bearing the name around the world. It can be found in countries such as Lithuania, United States, Canada, Australia, England and many others.
Famous people with the name Pikus
- Patricia Pikus: American cyclist who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics and the 2006 Winter Olympics.
- Mara Pikus: A Ukrainian singer who has been performing since 2012.
- Joseph Pikus: A tour manager and photographer.
- Ann Pikus: A former British manager and now author of the book ‘Navigating the Creative Maze’.
- Aaron Pikus: An American ski racer who won the gold medal in the 2007 FIS Freestyle World Cup.
- Robert Pikus: An engineer from the United States whose work was featured in the 2014 film "Transformers Age of Extinction."
- Liliana Pikus: A Russian businesswoman and entrepreneur.
- Chris Pikus: A Canadian actor and model.
- Michael Pikus: A retired Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Bret Pikus: An Academy Award-nominated animator.