Surname Kolowrat - Meaning and Origin

Kolowrat: What does the surname Kolowrat mean?

The last name Kolowrat is of Czech origin, derived from the old Czech word “Kolodrag” meaning “Wheel”. This surname was given to the Kolowrat nobiliary family who were a prominent aristocratic dynasty in the monarchy of the Czech Lands, now the Czech Republic. The Kolowrat Family were powerful nobles in Prague and the surrounding areas from the 13th Century to the 20th Century, playing a large part in Czech culture and politics and leaving a lasting impression on Czech history. Aside from laying the foundation for modern Czech culture, some members of the Kolowrat family became notable leaders in trade, politics, military and public service.

The Family also developed its own coat of arms which symbolizes a wheel and eight red drafts of a phoenix, thus reflecting the Kolowrat’s significant role in Czech culture. The family is valued and remembered for their hard work and loyalty to the monarchy, as well as their leading role in developing the Czech state for centuries. The noble name of Kolowrat is associated with honor, heroism, greatness and loyalty. To this day, there are still many descendants of the Kolowrat family who carry this surname, letting the legacy of the family live on.

Kolowrat: Where does the name Kolowrat come from?

The surname Kolowrat is common today primarily in countries that make up the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. It has been most prominent in Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic, as well as in Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Hungary. The surname has also been found in smaller numbers in Germany, Italy, Croatia, and even as far west as France, especially in regions close to the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The Kolowrat name can be traced back to the ancient Bohemian name "Kolowrat," which originates from the word "hrabati," meaning nobleman or aristocrat. It was adopted by the family of Count Hans Kolowrat during the 14th century, and eventually became the family's surname.

Today, the Kolowrat name exists among both noble families and more common backgrounds. In the Czech Republic, where the name is most common, it is found in cities and towns in which the Kolowrat family still own estates. The family also played an important political role in Czech history, especially in the 19th century.

Kolowrats can also be found in dispersed parts of the world, including the United States, Australia, and Canada. Here, the name has been largely assimilated, with many spelling variations.

In its current spelling, Kolowrat is still quite common in Czech-speaking countries, especially in Bohemia. It is commonly seen in people’s surnames or place names, found on signs, maps, and businesses. It’s a name with a long and ancient history, spanning centuries and weaving its way across the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Variations of the surname Kolowrat

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kolowrat are Kolowrath, Kolllorath, Kollorath, Kollerath, Köllórath, Koloraat, Koloraad, Kolorad, Kollorad, Kolorat, Kollerat, Köllorat, Kolerat, Koller, Kollerowski, and Kölló.

The surname Kolowrat is most commonly associated with Silesia, a geographical and historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland and the Czech Republic. The name is believed to have originated in Czechoslovakia and is derived from the Slavic phrase “Kolo-vrata”, which translates to “ringed gate”.

Kolowrat is thought to be the root of many other surnames, such as Kolowrath, Kolllorath, Kollorath, Kollerath, Köllórath, Koloraat, Koloraad, Kolorad, Kollorad, Kolorat, Kollerat, Köllorat, Kolerat, Koller, Kollerowski and Kölló. In certain regions of Poland, Silesia and Bohemia, these surnames are considered to be variants of Kolowrat. Several spelling variations are found among these surnames, including Kölló, Koller, Kolowrath and Kollerati.

The spelling of this surname is known to have evolved over time in different regions. People with the surname Kolowrat are also found in other countries, such as the United States, Brazil, France and Germany. In some locations, the surname may bepronounced differently and is sometimes misspelled as Köllorat.

In addition to being a surname, Kolowrat is also historically associated with the noble family by the same name, who were prominent during the Era of Enlightened Absolutism in Central Europe. With the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, many descendants of the Kolowrat family emigrated to other countries, causing the name to spread across the globe.

Famous people with the name Kolowrat

• Count Johann Rudolf Kolowrat: Bohemian nobleman who fought in the Austro-Turkish War in the late 17th century
• Count Friedrich Franz Kolowrat: Bohemian nobleman who supported and funded the first paper manufacturing factory in Bohemia in the late 18th century
• Countess Sophie Kolowrat-Krakowska: Bohemian Countess known for her philanthropy and patronage of the arts who died in 1916
• Count František Kolowrat: Bohemian nobleman who served as the last Lord of Libice nad Cidlinou and last Count of Kolowrat in the mid-19th century
• Count Maria Viktorina Kolowrat-Krakowska: Bohemian noblewoman who served as a leader of the Abbesses of Saturday Association in the early 20th century
• Count Ervin Kolowrat: Austro-Bohemian industrialist, active in the film industry in the 1920s and 1930s
• Countess Marie Kolowrat-Krakowska: Bohemian noblewoman known for her support of Czech artists in Vienna in the 19th and 20th centuries
• Karel Václav Kolowrat: Czech film director active in the 1930s and 1940s, considered to be the founder of Czech film studios
• Luka Kolowrat: Slovenian musician and composer active in the late 20th and early 21st centuries
• Žan Kolowrat-Krakowsky: Croatian kayaker who competed in multiple Summer Olympics in the late 20th and early 21st centuries

Other surnames

KolowrathKolowrot