Berkovitz Surname History

Origins Available:
Israel

Etymology of Berkovitz

What does the name Berkovitz mean?

The Jewish name Berkovitz is derived from the name Berko, which is the 'kinnui' (surname or substitute name) of Issachar. Berkowitz originated in Brody in the mid-18th century and means 'son of Berko.' Berko is also a cognate of the word bear.

Therefore, this Jewish surname of Berkovitz was a nickname for one with the characteristics of a bear, a nickname for a strong man. The bear has generally been regarded with a mixture of fear and amusement, due to its strength and unpredictable temper on the one hand and its clumsy gait on the other. Both these qualities are no doubt reflected in the choice of using the animal in the arms.

Berkovitz Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Berkowitz, Berkovitz, Berko, Berkman and many more.

Berkovitz migration to Canada +

Berkovitz Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Martin Berkovitz, who landed in Victoria, British Columbia in 1862

Contemporary Notables of the name Berkovitz (post 1700) +

Ann Berkovitz, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1972 1

Sources +

The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 4) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html