Platek

Platek is a surname of likely Slavic origin, found predominantly in countries of Central and Eastern Europe such as the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. The name is thought to derive from the word for "flat" or "plain" in Slavic languages, possibly indicating a person who lived near a flatland or a plain. In some instances, Platek also appears as a toponym, referring to small settlements situated on level ground.

Notable individuals bearing the name include:

- Leo Platek (1922–2010), an American economist known for his work on industrial organization and pricing theory.

- Marta Platek, a contemporary Polish artist whose mixed-media installations explore the relationship between memory and space.

- Tomas Platek (born 1978), a Czech former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for several clubs in the Czech First League.

The name has occasionally appeared in popular culture. A minor character named Professor Platek is featured in the science fiction television series "Galactic Horizons", where he is portrayed as an eccentric astromathematician.

Because of similar-sounding names and variations of spelling—such as Platek, Plateć, or Plať—there is frequent confusion in genealogical records. Researchers are advised to verify dates and locations when tracing ancestry linked to the Platek surname.

Etymology scholars note that the surname Platek may have multiple independent origins, one tied to geographic descriptors and another possibly arising as a diminutive of longer personal names. The prevalence of the name in the diaspora, especially in North America, reflects broader immigration patterns from Eastern Europe during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.