Surname Kolodziejeski - Meaning and Origin
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Kolodziejeski: What does the surname Kolodziejeski mean?
The last name Kolodziejeski is derived from the Polish word “kołodziej” which means “wheelwright” or “wagon maker.” This name is most common in the region of Tarnów in southern Poland. A Wheelwright in medieval times was highly skilled. This was because supplying a quality set of wooden wheels was essential for any traveling, trading or transporting of goods.
The word “kołodziej” was derived from the old Polish adjectival form, Kolodzi (meaning “circle” or “wheel”) and the suffix “-ek”, which is often added to qualify an occupation. The literal translation of the name Kolodziejeski would be “of the wheelwrights” or “wheelwright family.”
In Europe, back in the middle ages, wheelwrights were some of the most highly prized and advanced members of a society, as their primary skill was an extremely necessary one. Aside from the intricate knowledge needed to make sure the wheel's structure was sound, they also needed to be able to discern the right type of wood for the purpose. This fact often meant that wheelwrights were seen as people of special skill and were highly respected in their communities.
Many people in Poland who carry the last name of Kolodziejeski can trace their roots back to the original wheelwrights and are proud to be given a heritage of the “maker of wheels”, a title that seems to have propounded through the generations of this family.
Order DNA origin analysisKolodziejeski: Where does the name Kolodziejeski come from?
The surname Kolodziejeski is today mainly found in Poland, where it is on the list of the top 100 most common surnames. It is also found in various countries around the world, with Germany hosting the second highest numbers known so far.
In the United States, the surname is found primarily in the states of Connecticut, New Jersey, Michigan, and Massachusetts. The highest incidence is in Michigan, with 28 recorded people bearing the surname living there as of the 2020 US census. The surname is also present in Canada, mainly concentrated in Alberta and British Columbia where it appears in a handful of people.
The surname is also present in England although it is much rarer than in other parts of the world. In The Netherlands, the surname is particularly common, with many people bearing the surname living in the country.
The surname Kolodziejeski is also found in various other modern day countries of Europe such as Germany, Hungary, Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Aside from these countries, some immigrants from Europe have also brought the surname to countries in South America such as Argentina and Chile. Furthermore, the surname has also been found in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates, although it is not an especially common surname in these countries.
It appears that the origin of the surname might lie in the village of Kolodziejewo located in central Poland. It is likely that members of the Kolodziejeski family who lived in this town took this surname as their own, eventually migrating to other parts of the world and introducing the name in other countries.
Variations of the surname Kolodziejeski
The surname Kolodziejeski is a noble Polish surname. Variations of this surname include: Kółodziejski, Kołodziejeski, Kołodziejski, Kłodziejeski, Kłodziejski, Kolodziejewski, Kolodziejesky, Kolodziejsky.
Kolodziejeski is a toponymic surname which means “one who resided by a mill” in Polish. It may also be derived from the occupational name for a miller, itself derived from the Polish word “kolo” (“mill wheel”). The surname is most common in Poland, particularly in the region of subsidiaries located around a city or town.
Historical records indicate that the Kolodziejeski surname can be traced back to the 13th century when the coat of arms bearing the family name was granted by the King of Poland. It was then that the Kolodziejeski family developed a distinguished position amongst the nobility of Poland.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Kolodziejeski nobles began to emigrate to various countries around the world, particularly in the United States and Canada. This spread the Kolodziejeski surname outside of Poland and created various versions of the original name in those countries.
Today, variations of the Kolodziejeski surname are still most common in Poland. However, with some emigrants of that name having spread across the world, the name can also be found in other countries including the United States, Canada, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, and France.
Famous people with the name Kolodziejeski
- Andrew Kolodziejeski: American comedian and actor known for his roles in Entourage, Skins, and Glee.
- Ryan Kolodziejeski: Professional ice-hockey player who used to play for the Calgary Flames.
- Ed Kolodziejeski: Former MLB pitcher who had stints with the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Jan Kolodziejeski: Former Austrian ski jumper who competed for Austria in the 1968 and 1972 Winter Olympics.
- Steve Kolodziejeski: American football coach and former NFL linebacker who coached for Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans.
- Wendy Kolodziejeski: Former field hockey player who represented the United States at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Joe Kolodziejeski: US Marine and former professional boxer. He was the three-time National Golden Gloves championship.
- James Kolodziejeski: Former MLB pitcher and scout who worked for the Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers.
- Rob Kolodziejeski: American ice hockey player who is currently playing for Hinkley High Raiders.
- Sharon Kolodziejeski: Creative business executive on the rise. She has worked with NBCUniversal, Fox Broadcasting, and NBC News.