Surname Sofinski - Meaning and Origin
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Sofinski: What does the surname Sofinski mean?
The last name Sofinski is of Polish origin and is derived from the Polish surname Soszyński, which refers to the surname of a family living near the village of Soszyń in Poland. The literal meaning of the name is associated with being “from Soszyn”.
The surname Sofinski began appearing in records in the 16th and 17th centuries within Poland. During this time, it was often spelled in a variety of ways, including Soszynski, Sofinsky, and Soszynski.
In the 20th century, many individuals bearing the last name Sofinski immigrated to the United States. The name spread even further in the mid-20th century as individuals moved around the globe due to economic and political opportunities.
The Sofinski surname implies a strong connection to the family’s history in Poland, while also highlighting the family’s progress and accomplishments that were enabled by their international travels.
Sofinskis are proud of their heritage and family tradition, and many feel a strong connection to their Polish roots. This can be seen in the names of their children, who often have Polish middle names, as well as in the various cultural customs they observe.
The Sofinski name stands for a family who is grounded in its history, yet always on the move. It’s a symbol that could be used to inspire younger generations to make a name for themselves by pushing the boundaries and embracing change and progress.
Order DNA origin analysisSofinski: Where does the name Sofinski come from?
The Sofinski surname is most commonly found in Poland, where it is estimated that more than 15,000 individuals currently bear it. It is also to be found in the United States of America, where it is thought that up to 1,400 people are currently registered with this surname.
In Poland, it is believed to be derived from the historic name of Słowinski, an old landowning family from Słowiński region which comprised of today's Krakow, Skierniewice, Włoszczowa and part of Łódź Voivodeship. However, this has not been substantiated by any historical documents. The surname originates from the masculine Slavic given name Słowin, believed to be a diminutive of the name Słońce (Sun). Nicknames and diminutives were commonly used in this region, as many different foreign rulers did not know the local language, and it was a common way of identifying people.
Today, the surname is spread across both Poland and the United States, and is even present in smaller numbers in other countries around the world. In the United States, most Sofinski individuals are of Polish origin, having migrated to America during the influx of Polish immigrants in the late 19th century. Those who are not of Polish descent have likely adopted the name at some point in their lives.
Variations of the surname Sofinski
The surname Sofinski is of Slavic origin, derived from the word "sofka," meaning "wise" and has many variants, spellings, and surnames depending on the country of origin. In Poland the standard spelling is Sochinski, but it has a variety of alternate spellings, such as Sofinowski, Sofinsky, Sofinskiy, Sofinskii, Soffinski, Sofinszky, Sofinskij, Soszynski and Sofynski.
In Russia, and other Slavic countries, the surname Sofinski is spelled Sofin, Soffin, Saphin, Soffinke, Safin and Saphinke. In some cases, the alternate spelling involves a change of gender, and in some it is changed to Sokhvin, Sakharov, Ozhegov, Safanov, and Sinev.
In Germany, variations of Sofinski include Soschinski, Soszinski, Soszyński, Soschynsky, Soszynsky, Schafinski, Schaurich, and Scharfinski.
In the United States, the surname Sofinski is typically spelled Soffinski or Sohinski. Both of these variations are commonly found during emigration to the country from Poland and Russia.
In Canada, surnames of the same origin include Savinski, Sopinsky, Safinsky, Sappinsky, and Savinsky.
Sofinski is a common surname amongst Jewish families of Polish descent, and among all Jewish families it is typically spelled Sofinski, Saphinse, Soffenke, and Sapinke.
On a global scale, the surname Sofinski also has variations in Scotland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, and its root name, Soffka, is common amongst Croatian families.
Famous people with the name Sofinski
- Stanislaw Sofinski, former Polish economist and Minister of State
- Aidan Sofinski, Australian actress known for roles in Suze and Melissa's New Home and Big Cats
- Alfred Sofinski, a 20th-century German actor and entertainer
- Matthias Sofinski, a German heavyweight boxer
- Leonid Sofinski, a Soviet KGB operative during the Cold War
- Rainer Sofinski, a German mathematician
- Tadek Sofinski, a Polish entrepreneur and investor
- Peter Sofinski, a Swiss actor and composer
- Georg Sofinski, a Russian military commander during World War II
- Dimitri Sofinski, a Ukrainian chess grandmaster