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The origin of our name

Among older Stachaks one could hear a number of different opinions or views on where and how our name originated.

For sure it is derived from a name Oldřich, because we are descendants of that mythical count and his fiancé Božena. For sure is our name derived from the Polish Walbrzych, since apparently, there exists a town of the same name founded by our ancestors as they fled from religious oppression in the country. Another version states that our name is derived from the German WALDREICH (Forest Empire). Our ancestor was the owner of the whole Bohemian forests empire …

The only certain fact is that the names (surnames) were formed from the Middle Ages and were set up just before the end of 18th century.

In the chapter about the founder of our family we quote an official document: „Voldřich has taken the farm land (ground) as Janek Michalec. He married granddaughter of Michael Hakl. The farm land (ground) was located in Michalově and name Michalov originated from the name Michael Hakl. His children were called Voldřichové. It happened during the years 1668-1670. In the book Our family name from Doubrava Moldanová (which Mladá fronta Dnes published in 1983 as the 4563rd publication) can the following be read:

„The first name was the only title, or at least the major title for calling/naming one, even in the 18 century the registry of persons were held according to first names. Well, the word „surname“ itself still refers to a secondary relationship with a first (personal) name – surname just stood by first name and complemented it. Surnames were often held/used, perhaps due to land register (ie books in which the landlords listed up assets and obligations of mades/subjects) rather on cottages, on the court and at the house, rather than within kin.

Our surnames originated during few centuries: since 14th century until 18th century, firstly within aristocracy, then within bourgeoisie a free landlords. The development and improvement of public administration required an accurate records of persons. This need led to the fixation and standardizing of surname.

Inheritance and stability of surnames was enacted in 1870 during the reign of Joseph II. Today’s shape of a surname dates from the 19th century, when the spelling reform took place. As a matter of fact, this reform is also the foundation of the modern Czech grammar and spelling.

Names Oldřich and Voldřich occurred in our lands already in the 1175. They originated due to czech personalising of names like Odalrich or Uodalrich. This word is coming from uppergermany and it means ruler (owner) of heritage, a person which has gained the heritage estate (Odal = heritage, Rich = ruler).

However, many surnames in which we find the etymology of the German foundation cannot be regarded as a surname of German origin. “They are derived from foreign words, which were often adapted to Czech language in the Middle Ages, especially those who have the character of international, legal and administrative terms. “ As states Moldanová. Her explanation of the origin of our name as in the concept of „heir property“ can be accepted. Perhaps, therefore, that our first ancestor in the family tree was a free farmer, maybe a laird, a member of the lower nobility.

Alternative to our name is Woldřich, Woldrich (depended on place of birth and Parsons/Preacher), which is an equivalent to Ondřich, Vondřich i Oldřich. Whether, in addition to the common root of these names have they also a common ancestor cannot be, of course, assessed. The same case it can be only speculated to what extent ancient scribes and chroniclers confuse and Ulrich Voldřich. It is a fact that our name appeared for the firts time in the available official documentation, in 1542, well, apart from the composition of the Pilsen General Board of the 1385.

At the conclusion of this article an apology to all of those whose first name or surname listed in the database or diagrams does not correspond exactly with their name on the birth certificate or with the last official surname. Sometimes, this occurred due to the lack of information, but more frequently it is because of facilitation and simplification of the computerized database. For example, the name of Rozalie has many alternatives in registers such are Rozalia, Rosalie, Rosalia, Rozarie, Rosa, etc., native Voldřichs as moving abroad changed their name to Voldrich or Woldrich. All this complicates the life of your computer databases.

Information downloaded from the Internet statistics: there occured 492 Voldřichů living in the Czech Republic in 2004, and due to this fact they held a 1516th position in the frequency of surnames.

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