Show ContentsPasternak History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Pasternak family

The surname Pasternak was first found in Polesie, the largest province of Poland. It is inhabited by Ruthenians, called Polesians, of Ukrainian descent. The main towns are those of Brest Litovsk, Pinsk, Kobryn, Kamenets, Litovsk, and Luninets. It was in this province that the renowned Radziwills and Sapiehas held their vast estates. The surname became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. In their later history the name became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

Early History of the Pasternak family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pasternak research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1400 is included under the topic Early Pasternak History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pasternak Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Pastorkovic, Pasterwicz, Pasternak, Pastorkoich, Pastorchovic and many more.

Early Notables of the Pasternak family

More information is included under the topic Early Pasternak Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pasternak Ranking

In the United States, the name Pasternak is the 18,516th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [1]


United States Pasternak migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Pasternak Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • John Pasternak, who applied for naturalization in North Dakota in 1905
  • William Pasternak, who was living in Maryland in 1910

Contemporary Notables of the name Pasternak (post 1700) +

  • Kenneth D. Pasternak (b. 1954), American financial executive and entrepreneur
  • Joe Pasternak (b. 1901), American film director
  • Leon Pasternak (1910-1969), Polish poet and satirist
  • Simon Pasternak (b. 1971), Danish author and publisher
  • Harley Pasternak (b. 1974), Los Angeles-based Canadian personal trainer, public speaker and NY Times best-selling author
  • Reagan Pasternak (b. 1977), Canadian actress
  • Leonid Osipovich Pasternak (1862-1945), Russian post-impressionist painter
  • Boris Leonidovich Pasternak (1890-1960), Russian language poet, novelist, and translator awarded the 1957 Nobel Prize for Literature for Doctor Zhivago

Bismarck
  • Bernhard Pasternak (1919-1941), German Matrose IV Signal who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking [2]


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details


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