Surname Kowatz - Meaning and Origin
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Kowatz: What does the surname Kowatz mean?
The surname Kowatz is of German origin and is a nickname derived from the German word "Kuhwatz", which translates to mean "cattle watch". It is likely that the original Kowatz ancestors were either employed as a herdsman or were involved in some way with cattle. In some cases, the surname may have been adopted from a place name, such as Kowatz village in Bavaria, Germany.
Historically, the Kowatz surname indicates a person from a rural background, with perhaps some minor noble status. It would also suggest that the family had some form of involvement with agricultural activities, such as farming or tending cattle.
Due to the Kowatz surname’s rural implied origin, it is likely that the Kowatz family was heavily influenced by their community and its traditions. This may manifest itself in the form of music, food, and customs that they passed down throughout the years.
In modern times, the Kowatz surname remains common in Germany. Members of the Kowatz family still living in the area may have connections to their ancestral hometown of Bavaria, and the same traits that associated with their ancestors may still be visible in their lifestyles, such as a strong sense of community and an appreciation of the natural world.
Order DNA origin analysisKowatz: Where does the name Kowatz come from?
The last name Kowatz is most commonly found in Germany and Austria, though there are also some Kowatz's throughout other parts of Europe and North America.
In Germany, Kowatz is more commonly found in southwestern parts of the country, particularly Bavaria. According to MyHeritage, the biggest clusters of Kowatz's are in the towns and cities of Letmathe, Nußloch, München, Weilheim, Haar, Offenbach, Berlin, Bochum, Würzburg, and Schwabach.
In Austria, Kowatz is primarily associated with the Kitzbühel region in the western part of the country, near the border with Germany. Kowatz is believed to have first appeared in that area around the 15th or 16th century.
According to the United States Census Bureau, there are approximately 270 Kowatz households in the United States. Many of these families likely immigrated from Germany and Austria during the 19th and 20th centuries. The majority of those with the last name Kowatz today are believed to live in California, Texas, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Kowatz is an uncommon surname, but the named has been passed down through families for generations, so it is likely to continue for many generations to come.
Variations of the surname Kowatz
The surname Kowatz has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Kowacz, Kowatcz, Kowatzyk, Kowatzki, Kowatsky, Kowatz, Kowat, Kowatzky and Kowaty. However, there are several other potential variants, including Kowate, Cowatzki, Kowatzke, Kowatsek, Kowatski, Kowatacek, Kowaltz, Kowalczyk, Kowalka, Kowalik and Kowalski.
The German spelling of Kowatz is also common, and is often seen as Kowatzki. There are several surnames of foreign origin which have similar spellings to Kowatz, including Kowalczuk, Kovats, Kovacevic, Kovacik, Kovacic, Kowalczyk, Kowalewska, Kovačević, Kovačić and Kovačko.
Kowatz is often seen in Eastern European countries such as Poland, Russia and Ukraine. It is also seen in Germany and other parts of Europe, as well as some parts of the United States and Canada. It is quite a rare surname, and is likely derived from either the Polish word for 'carpenter' or the German word 'kövatschen', which roughly translates to 'boatman'.
Famous people with the name Kowatz
- Steve Kowatz: Former Chief of Staff to the Governor of Minnesota
- Donald Kowatz: Poet, author and lecturer
- Eva Kowatz: Artist and freelance illustrator
- Lauren Kowatz: Artist, animator and sculptor
- Barry Kowatz: Former president of Shell Oil Company
- Ludvig Kowatz: Swedish journalist
- Matthew Kowatz: Former star pitcher in the Minnesota Twins organization
- Jason Kowatz: Lead guitarist and founding member of the band Brewfish
- William Kowatz: Former Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court
- Rena Kowatz: Actor and singer on Broadway, with credits in Wicked and Jesus Christ Superstar
- Greg Kowatz: Former defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders
- John Kowatz: Former Chief of Staff for the United States Congress
- Philip Kowatz: Senior example editor for the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business
- Heather Kowatz: Professor of Women’s Studies at Portland State University
- Margaret Kowatz: Artist and gallery owner in Phoenix, Arizona
- Alberta Kowatz: Professor of music at California State University and oboist with the LA Philharmonic
- Sven Kowatz: German professor of Economics at the University of Freiburg
- Dene Kowatz: Football player, former member of the New York Giants
- Hazel Kowatz: Computer systems analyst and Senior Project Manager for Microsoft
- Richard Kowatz: German international soccer player