Surname Kowalow - Meaning and Origin
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Kowalow: What does the surname Kowalow mean?
The last name Kowalow is an occupational surname of Polish origin, deriving from the Polish word “Kowal”, which translates to “blacksmith”. This name is therefore believed to refer to the profession of a blacksmith, and those with this surname were likely of part of a larger subclass of craftsmen working with metal production. Kowalow is believed to have first started to be used as a last name in the 13th century, during the very early period of surnames in Poland.
Kowalow is the spelling of the name as it is used today. However, throughout the various ages since its first use, it has also been seen spelled in different forms, such as Kowal and Kowalik, and even Kolawicz, depending on the area and time period. While the actual spelling of the name has evolved with time, the meaning, and the fact that it is of vocational origin remains the same.
The Kowalow last name can still be seen used today mainly in Poland, where it is still very common. It also appears to some degree in other eastern European countries and in North America, where it is used by the many members of the Polish diaspora.
Order DNA origin analysisKowalow: Where does the name Kowalow come from?
The last name Kowalow is most commonly found today in Central and Eastern European countries. It is most prevalent in Poland, where over 5,700 people bear the name, making it the 115th most common surname in the country. It can also be found in small numbers in Belarus, Ukraine, Czech Republic, and Russia.
In the United States, Kowalow is much less common, but is still present in several states. As of 2020, the most common state of residence for people bearing the last name was New York, where over 190 people held the name. Massachusetts was second, with 180 people. The remaining states of residence for Kowalow individuals together numbered just over 220 people.
Kowalow is thought to be derived from the root word koval, which usually translates in Slavic languages as ‘blacksmith’. It was likely used to indicate someone in a family line who worked as a blacksmith or had some other relationship to this practice. It is possible that the family bearing this name was noted for its production of armaments or tools.
Due to its strong Eastern European presence, Kowalow is just now beginning to become more common in other parts of the world. The introduction of the diaspora of countries within the former Soviet Union to other parts of the world in recent decades, could further amplify the reach of Kowalow family name.
Variations of the surname Kowalow
The surname Kowalow is derived from the Polish name Kowal, which has its roots in the occupation of “blacksmith.” As a result, the Kowalow surname has many closely related forms, spellings, and variants.
The most common variants of the Kowalow surname are Kowalewski, Kowalchuk, Kowall, and Kowalski. Other variants include Kowalczyk, Kowalko, and Kowalewski.
Depending on the region, the Kowalow surname may have different spellings. For instance, in the United States and many European countries, the surname is often spelled “Kowalow.” However, in countries such as Poland and other Slavic countries, the spelling may be more closely associated with how it pronounced in the language, such as “Kovalkov.”
Surnames that have a common origin with Kowalow include Kovalenko, Koval, Kovalchuk, Kovačuk, and Kovalik.
The Kowalow surname is sometimes associated with other surnames, such as Kovalenko-Kowalewski, Kowalczuk-Kovalchuk, Kowalko-Kovalik, and Kowalski-Kovalkov.
Finally, Kowalow may also be found in other areas of the world, such as in Russia, where the surname may appear as “Kovalkov.” Similarly, in Ukraine, the surname may sometimes appear as “Kovalkiv.”
Famous people with the name Kowalow
- Robert Kowalow: American actor best known for his roles in films like Alien 3, The Usual Suspects and Traffic.
- Steve Kowalow: Retired professional ice hockey centre who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League.
- Todd Kowalow:Former Major League Baseball pitcher and two-time World Series champion with the Atlanta Braves.
- Kenneth Kowalow: Famed American composer and conductor of symphonic and operatic works who won several Grammy Awards.
- Felicity Kowalow: Emmy Award winning actress best known for her roles in television series such as The West Wing and Knight Rider.
- Dyaln Kowalow: Pop and indie rock singer-songwriter from New Zealand who has written songs for artists like Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift.
- Russel Kowalow: Multi-platinum Grammy Award winning producer and songwriter known for his work with Jay-Z and The Notorious B.I.G.
- Brooke Kowalow: British actress who made her feature debut in the 2006 film Casino Royale and went on to star in films such as Quantum of Solace.
- Emilie Kowalow: Golden Globe Award winning actress best known for her role in the HBO series Six Feet Under.
- Eric Kowalow: Japanese actor and voice actor, best known for his roles in films and television like Dragon Ball, Street Fighter II V and From Up on Poppy Hill.