Surname Kowallis - Meaning and Origin
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Kowallis: What does the surname Kowallis mean?
The last name Kowallis is a patronymic name derived from the first name "Kowal," which is a Polish diminutive of the name "Kazimierz," meaning "Destroyer of Peace." The surname Kowallis is most often found amongst Polish-speaking families, indicating that the bearer likely had Polish heritage or ancestry.
Kazimierz was the early name of the Polish king Casimir I the Restorer due to his role in defending Poland from outside influences in the 1300s. He is widely remembered as the first great ruler of the Piast dynasty and is said to have happily accepted the tremendous burden of defending his native land. In Poland, King Casimir I's success in defending their culture and national identity led to him being memorialized with the title of the “Destroyer of Peace”.
Given the significance of this name, a bearer of the name Kowallis is likely to come from a long line of proud Polish families. To them, the name serves as an homage to their proud heritage and a reminder to continue to proudly cherish it.
Order DNA origin analysisKowallis: Where does the name Kowallis come from?
The last name Kowallis is most common in the European countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. It first originated in the 12th century in what is now Northeastern Germany and Eastern Poland.
The most common spelling variation is Kowalis, with the number of people with the name increasing over time. The name is most commonly associated with Roman Catholicism, with a majority of the population holding religious beliefs that fall into this faith.
Significant numbers of people with the name Kowallis are also found in Canada, United States, and Russia. In Canada, it is most common in the Atlantic Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. In the United States, it is common among people of German and Eastern European ancestry, especially in the Midwest, though a few individuals can still be found in California and other parts of the United States.
The name Kowallis is also popular in countries such as Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom; however, these countries also report lower numbers of Kowallis than the Baltic and North American countries previously mentioned.
Overall, the Kowallis name is fairly widespread across Europe and the United States, with a robust population still rooted in the Baltic countries from which it originated.
Variations of the surname Kowallis
The surname Kowallis is believed to be of French origin, and its variants, spellings, and other related surnames include the following:
Kowalis—A derivative of the French surname Kowallis, this spelling is most commonly found in Czech Republic.
Kowall—This is the German version of the surname Kowallis.
Cawall—This variation has been found most commonly in England and Scotland.
Kovallis—This is a form of the surname which has been found most commonly in Austria and the Czech Republic.
Kowalles—This variation has been found most commonly in England and Scotland.
Kovalis—This is another variation that can be found in the Czech Republic.
Kovall—This is a form of the surname which has been found mostly in Germany.
Koval—This is a spelling of the surname which has been found mainly in Germany.
Kowaly—This is a further variation of the surname which has been found mainly in Poland.
Kovel—This spelling is found mainly in the United Kingdom.
Kovol—This variation of the surname is found mainly in Germany.
Kovales—This is another variation of the surname which has been found mostly in the Czech Republic.
Other surnames of similar origin include Cawal, Covalle, Cowall, Cowallis, Covales, Covol, Kovalles, Kohval, and Kovales. All of these surnames are believed to be variations of the same origin: the French surname Kowallis.
Famous people with the name Kowallis
- Ryder Kowallis: A professional freestyle skier from Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Tanner Kowallis: American singer and songwriter who won the 10th season of The Voice USA.
- Irene Kowallis: Australian actress and director who appeared in many films and television shows in the 1950s and 1960s.
- London Kowallis: American politician from Hawaii and the current mayor of Honolulu.
- Randall Kowallis: American football player who played professionally in the NFL from 1974 to 1982.
- David Kowallis: British actor who is known for his roles in the TV series such as Dr Who, Sherlock, and Black Mirror.
- Shane Kowallis: Massachusetts-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.
- Barry Kowallis: Basketball player who is a three-time NBA All-Star.
- Katie Kowallis: Popular Australian YouTuber who has quickly gained a following for her lifestyle and beauty content.
- Theodore Kowallis: American industrialist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur who founded the Kowallis Corporation, one of the largest construction companies in the United States.