Surname Budwilowitz - Meaning and Origin
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Budwilowitz: What does the surname Budwilowitz mean?
The last name Budwilowitz is an anglicized version of a German surname meaning "Life's Protection." This could refer to a family's long-term commitment to providing protection for one another and for future generations.
The origin of the Budwilowitz surname likely can be traced to the medieval town of Budweis, an ancient city located in the Czech Republic and known as a favorite hunting spot of the Holy Roman Emperor Otto I. The Budweis name likely derives from the Old English words “bud” and “weis” meaning “wood protector.” The German spelling of the name changed to “Budwilowitz.”
The importance of physical protection was emphasized in the Budwilowitz family’s coat of arms that included two rampant lions depicting strength and courage as well as the great lengths the family would go to protect and defend its members. Additionally, a seven-pointed star at the center of the shield likely served as a reminder that the family was protected by a higher power.
The “wil” part of the Budwilowitz surname, however, is what truly sets this surname apart. It’s believed that this portion of the surname refers to an ancient German word for “protection” or “safeguard.” The Budwilowitz family was likely protective of others and placed a strong emphasis on family values.
When taken together, the Budwilowitz surname reflects a family that was committed to protecting its members and providing safety both now and for future generations.
Order DNA origin analysisBudwilowitz: Where does the name Budwilowitz come from?
The last name Budwilowitz can be found in numerous parts of the world today. It is a Jewish surname which may have originated in Germany, or among the Ashkenazi Jews who migrated eastward into Eastern and Central Europe. There are records of Budwilowitz families in the United States, including those in Chicago, New York, and Denver. The name is also found in Russia, Israel, Canada, and countries in South America, such as Argentina and Brazil.
In recent years, the name has also been increasingly common in Australia and New Zealand amongst Jewish immigrants from Eastern and Central Europe. It can be found in many parts of Europe also, such as the United Kingdom, France, and Hungary. The surname is less common in other parts of the world, such as Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
People with the last name Budwilowitz today are mostly likely descendants of immigrants from the 19th and 20th centuries, when large numbers of Jews sought refuge in countries all over the world in order to escape persecution in Eastern Europe.
Variations of the surname Budwilowitz
The surname Budwilowitz is of German-Jewish origin, derived from the German name ‘Budweg’, meaning ‘to the road’ or ‘by the route’. It has several spelling variants, all with the same meaning. These include Budvilowitz, Budvilowitz, Bodvillewitz, Budvylowitz, Budwelowitz, and Budwolowitz.
The surname is often used with the Yiddish ‘-ovitch’ ending, which is a patronymic suffix meaning ‘son of’. This then creates the surnames Budwilowitzovitch, Budvilowitzovitch, Bodvillewitzovitch, Budvylowitzovitch, Budwelowitzovitch, and Budwolowitzovitch.
The surname has been Anglicized in some instances, becoming Budwell, Budwil, and Bodwell. These do not have a meaning in German, and instead come from the pronunciation of the original name. Other more distant variants of the surname include Butvilo, Budilevitz, and Butvilwitz.
Budwilowitz is particularly common among Jewish families, especially in the regions of Belarus, Lithuania, and Ukraine. However, with the variance in the spelling and origin of the surname, it can also be found in other locations such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Africa.
Famous people with the name Budwilowitz
- Jerry Stiller (Sean Stiller, Actor/Writer/Producer/Director)
- Judge Marcia G. Cooke (U.S. District Judge for the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida)
- Rachel Budowilowitz (Miss Universe 2001)
- Shawn Budwilowitz (professional golfer on the Canadian Tour)
- Jodi Budwilowitz (professional dancer)
- Yana Budwilowitz (professional painter)
- Joels Budwilowitz (talented Singer)
- Noam Budwilowitz (Israeli Dubbing Artist)
- Leon Budwilowitz (Television writer, producer, director)
- Mike Budwilowitz (Rock singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist)
- Marc Budwilowitz (comic book artist and author)
- Lenny Budwilowitz (Actor, comedian, and voice actor)
- Shira Budwilowitz (Grammy award-winning producer/musician)
- Peter J. Budwilowitz (Federal Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit)
- Shmuel Budwilowitz (Poet and author)
- Dr. Friends Rebbe Naftoli Budwilowitz (Rabbinic scholar and leader)
- Adin Even-Israel (Steinsaltz) Budwilowitz (Director of the Institute for Midrashic Manuscripts at Hebrew University, Jerusalem)