The surname Cossack has a number of possible origins. Firstly it may be a version of Kozlow, which is, in turn, derived from the Russian "kozyol," meaning goat. In this case, the name would have been an occupational name of a goat herder. Or, the name could have been a nickname for someone who was very stubborn. Secondly, it was a name for a Cossack. The Cossacks were a group of people descended from runaway serfs, this group established a semi-military state within the Ukraine in the 15th and 16th centuries. Finally, this may have been a Jewish nickname for someone who was considered ruthless.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cossack research. More information is included under the topic Early Cossack History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Anna Kozak, who arrived in Quebec in 1899; Dmytro Kozak, who arrived in Canada in 1898; Ivan Kozak, who arrived in Manitoba in 1897 with his wife, Anna, and children, Dmytro, Tanasko, Artemon, Stefan and Maria.
Ireland
Poland
