Mašková is a feminine Czech surname, derived as the feminine form of Mašek. The suffix -ová is a standard Slavic feminine marker, so Mašková broadly corresponds to the surname Mašek but indicates a female bearer. Etymology The masculine base Mašek itself originates as a diminutive of either Matěj or Tomáš, two given names with deep biblical roots. Matěj is the Czech form of Matthias, while Tomáš corresponds to Thomas. Thus, Mašková, despite being a surname, can be traced through a chain of diminution back to ancient New Testament names. The ultimate etymological root is the Greek name Ματθίας (Matthias), a variant of Ματθαῖος (Matthaios), which is the source of Matthew. In the New Testament, Matthias is the apostle chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot after the betrayal (Acts 1:21–26). This name also had royal prestige in the region through Hungarian form Mátyás, borne by King Matthias Corvinus, a 15th-century ruler who modernized the kingdom. Notable Bearers While Mašková is primarily a common Czech surname, the Wikipedia article covers an identically named village and municipality — Mašková (Hungarian: Maskófalva) in the Lučenec District of Slovakia. This village sits at an altitude of 209 m and covers about 9 km², with a population as of late 2025 of about 332, predominantly ethnic Slovaks. The name Mašková thus functions as both a surname and a geographical toponym in Central Europe. Cultural Significance Mašková reflects a common Slavic pattern of deriving surnames from personal names with diminutive suffixes, often conveying endearment or smaller stature. The feminine form with -ová remains in active, official use in Czechia and Slovakia, even though modern naming laws in places are increasingly gender neutral. The name also appears in Bulgarian variants like Mateeva and other linguistic adaptations such as Catalan Mateu or Tomàs. Key Facts Meaning: feminine form of Mašek (diminutive of Matěj or Tomáš) Origin: from Greek Matthias (apostle), later Czech/Polish/Slovak Type: surname, originally patronymic Usage regions: Czechia, Slovakia, with related forms in Bulgaria and Hungary