What is the origin of the last name Park?
Countries of origin for the last name Park
The last name Park is a common surname, particularly among people of Korean descent. It has roots in the Korean language and is also found in other cultures with different origins. The meaning of the name Park varies depending on its cultural and linguistic context.
In Korean, Park is a transliteration of the Chinese character “Pu” or “Bak,” which originated from the ancient Chinese state of Baekje. Baekje was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, which existed from the 18th to the 7th century BC. The Baekje people migrated from present-day China to the Korean Peninsula and established their kingdom, leaving a lasting influence on the Korean culture and language.
As a Korean surname, Park is one of the most common last names in South Korea. According to the Korean National Statistical Office, it ranked third in terms of frequency in 2015, with over 2.6 million individuals bearing the name. The popularity of the surname Park can be attributed to its historical significance and the influence of Baekje culture in Korean society.
Outside of Korea, the last name Park can have various origins and meanings. In English-speaking countries, Park is a relatively common surname as well. It is derived from the Middle English word “park,” which refers to an enclosed area of land used for recreational or hunting purposes. This surname is likely to have been given to people who lived or worked near a park, or who had some association with such places.
The surname Park is also found in other cultures with different etymological roots. In some cases, it is a variation of the Jewish last name Perlmutter, which means “mother-of-pearl” in Yiddish. It could have been adopted by Jews in countries such as Russia and Poland, who often took on occupational or descriptive surnames.
Moreover, Park can also be a phonetic adaptation of other surnames in different languages, such as the Dutch surname Van der Park or the Polish surname Pietrzak. These variations could have emerged through migration, assimilation, or cultural exchange.
Interesting facts about the last name Park
- The surname Park is derived from a common Korean word “park” (박), which means “an enclosed field or park.”
- It is one of the most widespread surnames in Korea, with an estimated 8.4 million individuals carrying the surname, making it the third most common surname in the country.
- The Park clan is said to be one of the oldest and noblest families in Korea, with historical records tracing their ancestry back to the early 7th century.
- A notable figure with the surname Park is Park Chung-hee, who served as the president of South Korea from 1963 until his assassination in 1979. He is credited with leading the country’s rapid industrialization.
- Park is also a relatively common surname in other East Asian countries, including China and Vietnam, although it may have different origins and meanings in these contexts.
- In the United States, the surname Park is less common compared to other Asian surnames, but it is still encountered, especially among Korean-Americans.
- The Park surname can also be found in other parts of the world, including Europe and South America, as a result of migration and cultural exchange.
- Various Romanized spellings of the surname Park exist, including Bak, Pak, Bahk, Bak, and back-transliterations of the Chinese name, such as Pu or Bai.
- There are numerous notable individuals with the surname Park, including politicians, business leaders, athletes, and artists, who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.
Name Rank
#289
There are around 106696 people with the last name Park in the US