Recorded in over one hundred spelling forms from Isaac, Eisik, Aizic, and Yitshak, to Ishaki, Istcovitz, Kissack, Izygson, Yiatrou and Yitzkovic, this is an ancient surname. Although of Hebrew origins, when created in the 12th century, this was not a Jewish surname, and was always Christian. This did not change until the16th century, although even then most Jewish examples were given a distinctive form. However spelt all the surnames do derive from the Hebrew male given name "Yitschak", a derivative of the word tsachak, meaning to laugh.
This name was given to the son of Abraham and Sarah, and popular etymology connects the meaning with Sarah's laughter, and her joy at bearing a son in her old age. The Greek translators of the Old Testament changed Yitschak to Isaak; and later it was Romanised as Isaac. The European form of the personal name and the subsequent surname, was most associated with the famous Christian Crusades to the Holy Land in the 11th and 12th centuries. It was the practice for returning warriors from the Holy Land to call their children by biblical or hebrew names, and this is a good example. Early recordings of the name include in Germany, Isaak, the priest of Weibenstein in 1181, and later in England, Henry Isaac, of the city of Worcester, in the year 1275. A coat of arms was granted to the Isaac family of Devonshire in the reign of Henry 111 (1216 - 1272). It has the blazon of a blue field charged per pale azure and purple, with a gold cross flory. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Conrad Ysak. This was dated 1170, in the charters of Koln, Germany. Over the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop", often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
The history of the surname isaac is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of isaac. Research into the possible origins of isaac leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname isaac is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation.
It is common for surnames like isaac to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. There is a considerable probability that isaac has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where isaac is most abundant are the following. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname isaac provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.
The historical journey of the surname isaac can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of isaac. The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named isaac are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname isaac, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of isaac developed.
You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname isaac, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of isaac could be modified. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about isaac and send it to us, we will update it on this website.
Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all isaacs who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname isaac, even though not all have been documented to our present day. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname isaac were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname isaac who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.
It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname isaac. The bibliography collects information related to the surname isaac, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of isaac are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of isaac, and at the same time, of surnames in general.