Surname Sawitzkas - Meaning and Origin
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Sawitzkas: What does the surname Sawitzkas mean?
The last name Sawitzkas is a German surname of, likely, Slavic origin. It may have originated as a habitational name from places named with the Slavic element “sevatz”, meaning “tear-off” or “separate”. This commonly designated a settlement on an outskirt or border. Sawitzkas has a long and varied history in Europe, dating from the early 13th century. It is well-documented in regions including present-day Germany, the Czech Republic, and Sweden.
Sawitzkas is very likely to have been a hereditary name, possibly passed on by a specific family or clan. Families with this name originated in the mid-17th century, usually from rural communities and small towns. In Germany, it was a very common name in the 15th century and appears in records throughout the country’s history.
Today, the name Sawitzkas is still used in Germany, as well as other places in Europe and the Americas. Its meaning persists in modern culture, as a reminder of the long history of the Sawitzkas family. It is a testament to their ability to survive and thrive in varied and ever-changing environments, and serves as a sign of the strength of Germanic heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisSawitzkas: Where does the name Sawitzkas come from?
The last name Sawitzkas is most commonly found in Germany today. It is believed to have originated from the East Prussian region of Germany, located in what is now the Kaliningrad Oblast of the Russian Federation.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Sawitzkas in Germany dates back to 1480, when a Jakob Sawitzkas was listed in the tax books of Olfen, a mining settlement in Westphalia. Since then, the name has been recorded in numerous German texts, from birth records to military rosters.
At its peak, the name Sawitzkas was most commonly found in Kreis Flatow, a district in East Prussia. However, due to World War II and its aftermath, only a few Sawitzkas families remain in East Prussia today. The ones that did managed to stay often had to completely change their last names in order to preserve their Prussian roots.
Due to emigration around the world, Sawitzkas can now be found in numerous countries, such as Australia, America, and Canada. However, their numbers have dwindled significantly, and as a result, Sawitzkas is mostly found in Germany today.
There are numerous prominent figures from German history who are believed to have the last name Sawitzkas, such as statesmen, military officers, and even royalty. As of writing, the most notable contemporary figure with the last name Sawitzkas is German-born actress Julia Sawitzkas.
Variations of the surname Sawitzkas
The variant spellings for the surname Sawitzkas include Sawitzki, Sawizki, Sawiski and Sawizke. Surnames of the same origin are Sauvitzka, Savitzka, Sowizki and Sawizkowicz.
Sawitzkas is a German and Polish surname which is derived from the Slavic word sauvica which means old or ancestral tribe of people. The original Sawitzkas tribe was located in what is now called Pokuttya Pryluky, Ukraine, and they were largely of Ukrainian-Polish nationality.
The variant spellings indicate that this surname could be derived from the Latin word salticare, meaning to jump or to leap. This could explain why the people originally from the Sawitzkas tribe were known as the “jumpers.” The differing spellings could also be attributive of the fact that the name travelled across various geographical bounds and was changed over time.
The surname Sauvitzka is also derived from the Slavic word sauvica but is mainly found in Poland. This is due to the fact that the Sawitzkas tribe were located in what is now called Pokuttya Pryluky, Ukraine, and near the Poland-Ukraine border.
The surname Savitzka is also derived from the Slavic word sauvica and is mainly found in Ukraine. As mentioned previously, the Sawitzkas tribe were of Ukrainian-Polish nationality.
The surname Sowizki is derived from the word sowizka which was the original name of the village in what is now called Pokuttya Pryluky, Ukraine, where the Sawitzkas tribe were based.
Finally, the surname Sawizkowicz is derived from the Polish word szyk which means arrayed or arranged. This could refer to the men of the Sawitzkas tribe who were skillful and organised warriors.
Overall, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Sawitzkas imply that the original Sawitzkas tribe were resourceful, resilient and brave.
Famous people with the name Sawitzkas
- Mark Sawitzkas: German former handball player. He is the most successful manager in German handball history.
- Martha Sawitzkas: German film actress, best known for her performance as Princess Marie Curie in the 2017 film Marie Curie.
- Harry Sawitzkas: American businessman and the former CEO of Eucotin Financial, a private equity firm.
- Eva Sawitzkas: Austrian journalist and former anchor for the ORF news channel.
- Jan Sawitzkas: Czech artist and sculptor, known for creating figures and sculptures in contemporary styles.
- Helmut Sawitzkas: German architect, specializing in the design of modern and minimalistic structures.
- Rik Sawitzkas: Dutch financial guru and entrepreneur, known for founding FinTree, an online platform for providing financial guidance to individuals.
- Johan Sawitzkas: Swedish pianist and professor of music, best known for his interpretations of classical and modern compositions.
- Georg Sawitzkas: Swiss alpine skiing champion, with four world championships and two Olympic gold medals to his name.
- Holger Sawitzkas: German actor, best known for his roles in the television series Heinrich and Unterwegs.