Surname Koslowsky - Meaning and Origin
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Koslowsky: What does the surname Koslowsky mean?
The last name Koslowsky is of Eastern European Jewish heritage, originally derived from the Jewish surname Koslowicz. It might have originated from a given name based on Slavic elements such as Kol, which means coal, or from the given name Kozel, meaning goat. The family likely had its roots in the Eastern European country of Poland and could have arrived in countries of Western Europe and the America’s from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.
Due to geographical and linguistic factors, an alternative to Koslowicz also emerged, known as Koslowsky or Koslosky. It is most common among individuals of Russian-Jewish background, and has been transliterated many different times. Depending on the time period, the spelling of the last name may have been Koslowich, Koslowitz, Kozlowski, or Koslowsky, all of which are considered valid versions.
The exact original meaning of Koslowsky is difficult to pinpoint, but some sources suggest the word could have come from the old Russian and Polish word "koslowskij" which referred to a kind of sword or scimitar.
Koslowsky most likely came to be used as an inclusive blanket term to refer to any individuals related to the Slavic regions or Eastern Europe. Over time, it became a marker of Jewish identity. Today, individuals with the surname Koslowsky are particularly common among those of Russian-Jewish ancestry, and it is still widely used to denote regions of Eastern Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisKoslowsky: Where does the name Koslowsky come from?
The last name Koslowsky is most commonly found in areas with East European Jewish populations, such as Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania. The name is derived from the Slavic word “koslo”, which means either axe or ploughshare. The Koslowsky surname is fairly common, with more than 2,000 people carrying the name in the United States alone.
In Russia, Koslowsky is the 28th most common surname, with approximately 16,000 people sharing the name, while it is the 49th most common in Ukraine, with an estimated 11,000 bearers of the name.
In the United States, Koslowsky is the 11,800th most common surname, with an estimated 2,452 people sharing the name. The largest concentrations of the name Koslowsky in the US can be found in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and California.
In addition to the US, Canada, and the countries of the former Soviet Union, the Koslowsky surname can also be found in Israel, Australia, and Argentina. The popularity of the name Koslowsky in each country varies, but it is common in all these locations.
Variations of the surname Koslowsky
The surname Koslowsky is derived from the Old-Polish word “Koslow”, which means “wood”. It is a fairly common name, and several variants and spellings of the surname have emerged over time.
Variants of the surname include Koslowsky, Koslowski, Koslofski, Koslowska, Koslowska, Kosslowsky, and Koslofsky. Spellings of the name include Kosslowey, Koslowey, Kosloewsky, and Koslouski. Other surnames of the same origin include Kistolowski, Kostolowsky, Kostolowski, and Kostolovksy.
Koslowsky is mainly found in Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Belarus, and the Ukraine. It is derived from the Old Polish name “Kostolowsky”, which is derived from the word “Kostol”, meaning “church”. The name Koslowsky is also found in the U.S. and Canada, but at a much lower rate than its other variants.
In some areas, variants of the surname are linked to immigration from Eastern Europe, while in others, they are linked to roots in the Russian-Polish borderlands. Each of the variants and spellings of the surname have been used to denote different clans and families, who often use the name for different purposes.
In some cases, Koslowsky and its variants may even be used to denote individuals who are not related, yet still have common ancestry. Overall, the surname Koslowsky has a high frequency in several regions and continues to spread to other parts of the world through immigration.
Famous people with the name Koslowsky
- Miranda Cosgrove: Actress, Singer
- Anna Koslowsky: Russian Serial Killer
- Jonathan Koslowsky: US Olympic Fencer
- Alan Koslowsky: American Philosopher
- Matt Koslowsky: Professional Soccer Player
- Julian Koslowsky: Record Producer
- Diana Koslowsky: TV Producer
- Corey Koslowsky: MMA Fighter
- David Koslowsky: Adventure Filmmaker 10.Gustav Koslowsky: Writer and Political Activist