panek

Panek is a surname of Polish origin. In Polish onomastics, the suffix -ek is a common diminutive, and Panek likely arose as a diminutive or patronymic form from the given word or name Pan, a courtesy title equivalent to "mister" or a nickname for a man. As such, Panek can be interpreted as "little Pan" or "son of Pan." The exact genealogical path may vary by family.

Today, Panek is most frequently found in Poland and among people of Polish ancestry. It also appears in countries with significant Polish diasporas, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany, often without changes to spelling. Variants and related names in Slavic-speaking regions may exist, but Panek remains the standard form in modern Poland.

Because surnames often arose independently in different regions, multiple unrelated lineages may bear the name Panek. In records, one can encounter Panek in civil registries and immigration lists from the 19th and 20th centuries. The name is used across various professions and does not point to a particular occupation or region.