Show ContentsKozak History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Kozak 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.

Early Origins of the Kozak family

The surname Kozak was first found in Poland.

Early History of the Kozak family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kozak research. More information is included under the topic Early Kozak History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kozak Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Khozak, Kosek, Kossak, Khozak, Kozick, Kozak, Kozik, Kozakiewicz, Koziarz, Koziarski and many more.

Kozak Ranking

In the United States, the name Kozak is the 4,555th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1


Kozak migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kozak Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Ivan Kozak, who landed in Manitoba in 1897
  • Katharina Kozak, who landed in Canada in 1897
  • Dmytro Kozak, who arrived in Canada in 1898
  • Anna Kozak, who landed in Quebec in 1899
  • John Kozak, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1899

Contemporary Notables of the name Kozak (post 1700) +

  • Heidi Kozak (b. 1963), American actress
  • Harley Jane Kozak (b. 1957), American actress and author
  • Scott Allen Kozak (b. 1965), former American football linebacker
  • Warren Kozak (b. 1951), American writer, journalist, and a former contributor to National Public Radio and the New York Sun
  • Ashley Kozak (1930-2008), American jazz bassist, record producer and artists' manager
  • Mitchell Kozak, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Michigan State House of Representatives 19th District, 1974 2
  • Michael G. Kozak (b. 1946), American politician, U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador, 1991; Belarus, 2000 2
  • Joseph A. Kozak, American politician, Candidate for Mayor of Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1942 2
  • James E. Kozak, American Republican politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives 76th District, 1998 2
  • Henry Raymond Kozak (1917-2001), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Michigan State Senate 3rd District, 1945-50; Candidate in primary for Michigan State House of Representatives from Wayne County 14th District, 1960 2
  • ... (Another 24 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook