Surname Golab - Meaning and Origin
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Golab: What does the surname Golab mean?
The last name Golab is of Polish origin and is derived from the the Polish word “golab.” Golab translates literally to “pigeon” or “dove” in Polish and has a long history of use as a personal name. It is believed to have originated from the Polish word “golabek,” meaning “little pigeon,” which was used as a nickname for people who were small in stature, had a white, gray, or silver-tinted complexion, or had a peaceful temperament. Historically, Golab was also used as a nickname for people who raised pigeons or sold them in the marketplace.
The surname Golab emerged when family names became a norm in the late Middle Ages. It was often given to a person who specialized in the breeding of domesticated birds, or because one of their ancestors had white feathers, a light complexion, or a gentle nature. Additionally, it could have been given to a person who happened to live near a dove-shaped landmark, such as a house or hill.
Today, the surname Golab is found primarily in Poland and other regions in Europe with a large population of Polish descendants. It is most often used by people who have Polish ancestry and may be used as a middle or first name. In modern Poland, there are also several businesses, streets, and other places in Poland that bear the name Golab.
Order DNA origin analysisGolab: Where does the name Golab come from?
The last name Golab is most commonly found in Poland. According to records from the Central Statistical Office of Poland, in 2018 there were 10,041 people with the last name Golab. This is an increase from the 2008 censuses, which recorded 6,733 people.
The name is likely derived from the Polish word “gołąb”, which translates to “pigeon” in English. This is supported by records from 1619, which list a Golab family as living in a village near Sandomierz that related to the land that housed a large number of pigeons. The popularity of the name is also evidenced in numerous locations named Golab, including a village of 10 households, and another village which existed until 1945 before it was destroyed during World War II.
Poland remains the area with the highest concentration of the Golab surname. However, due to migration, it has spread to other countries. Many people with the last name Golab can now be found in Germany, the United States, Australia, and Canada. For example, in the United States, it’s estimated that there are over 1,500 people with the surname Golab.
Overall, the name Golab has a long history and continues to flourish in Poland and abroad. Especially with ongoing migration, the Golab surname is likely to continue to spread.
Variations of the surname Golab
Golab is the name of an old Polish Jewish family and is a variant of the Germanic name, “Gulab,” which means “rose.” Originally, the name was spelled “Golub” and is still a common variation. Other variations of the name include: Golob, Gołab, Gołaba, Gōłab, Golabbe, Gołąbek, Gółab, Gołabek, Gołabki, Gółabek, and Gołabkowski. Some of the anglicized forms of the name include: Gulab, Gulob, Gulabbe, Gulobbe, Gulobb, Goleb and Goolab.
Golab is also the basis for a few surnames, such as Golomski, Golombek, Golonka, Golszewski, Golubski, Golubowicz and Golubow. Due to the prominence of families with a Jewish origin, several of these surnames have a similar origin, such as, Koliszewski, Moliszewski, Wolowski and Wolszewski.
In the end, all of these surnames may point to a single origin, as a reference to the name Golab. This name was likely adopted by many Jewish families during a period of political and social upheaval in Europe. As such, it is plausible that many of these surnames may have similar origins, even though the actual spelling of the name varies from one spelling to another.
Famous people with the name Golab
- Anthony Golab, Polish baritone opera singer
- Mario Golab, Brazilian musician
- Henryk Golab, Polish-born American Albrolist/critic
- Kazimierz Golab, Polish mathematician
- Malgorzata Golab-Kobylinska, Polish journalist
- Bronislaw Golab, Polish politician
- Maria Golab, Polish educator and women’s rights activist
- Jon Golab, American singer/songwriter
- Jan Golab, Polish professor of ice hockey
- Anna Golab, Polish politician and former Prime Minister
- Jan Golab, Polish historian
- Andrzej Golab, Polish professional footballer
- Claire Golab, French film producer
- Zygmunt Golab, Polish sculptor
- Andrzej Golabek, Polish painter
- Miroslaw Golab, Polish artist and musician
- Tania Golab, Polish actress
- Rafal Golab, Polish political theorist and philosopher
- Edward Golab, American food scientist
- Slawomir Golab, Polish lawyer and human rights activist