Surname Stankowicz - Meaning and Origin
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Stankowicz: What does the surname Stankowicz mean?
The last name Stankowicz is of Slavic origin and is derived from the Polish word 'Stankowy', which is in turn derived from the Latin word 'Stagnum'. This in turn means 'a stagnant, standing pool of water'. As such, the surname was likely given to a person who lived or worked near a pool of water.
Over the centuries, Stankowicz has evolved in different forms, including Stankewitz, Stankevich, Symansky, Semansky, and Stankaryov. It can also be found in Jewish communities as Stankowitz and Stankavic.
The surname is mainly associated with Poland and Ukraine but is also common in Russia, Belarus, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary.
The name is often found in the records of Jews in the region as Stankowicz traces its origins to Jewish ancestors. However, there were also non-Jews who adopted the name, particularly those who were associated with trade and commerce and those with relatives who had the name.
Due to its etymology, the name Stankowicz has often been used with pejorative connotations, particularly among those who live in rural villages where water is scarce. The surname is quite uncommon in America, however, primarily due to immigration trends.
Order DNA origin analysisStankowicz: Where does the name Stankowicz come from?
The last name Stankowicz appears to be most common in Poland. It is derived from the Polish word for “from Stankov,” a small town in Lublin Voivodeship in eastern Poland. According to records, the earliest record of the family name “Stankowicz” dates back to the year 1563.
In modern times, the Stankowicz family can be found in many European countries, although the largest population resides in Poland. According to the year 2021 census, the population of those with the Stankowicz last name living in Poland is 34,780.
The Stankowicz family have, over time, spread to more distant parts of the world with the greatest number of people with this surname residing in the United States. The American census of 2010 indicates that in the United States, there are 8,168 people with the Stankowicz surname, indicating a small but established diaspora.
The Stankowicz family has also found presence in countries as far afield as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Germany, and other countries in Europe, indicating the breadth of their dispersions over the centuries. Thus, the Stankowicz family has retained a more or less consistent presence in Central and Eastern Europe for over 500 years, while also spreading globally in the modern world.
Variations of the surname Stankowicz
The surname Stankowicz is of Polish origin, and it has several variants and spellings. The main spelling of the surname is Stankowicz, however, in some cases it is spelled as Stankovich, Stankevich and Stankevicius. The family name can also be derived from a combination of the Polish words Stan, meaning ‘stone’, and kowicz, which can mean either ‘son of’ or ‘skilled worker’. Thus, Stankowicz can be translated as ‘son of a stonemason’.
Variants of the surname include Stanikovic, Stanikovitch, Stanikovitz, Stankievicz, Stankiewich, Stankovic, Stankovich, Stankovitch, Stankovitz, Stankowicz, Stankowitch, Stankevich and Stankevicius. These spelling variations are due to the complexity of the Polish alphabet as well as the frequent changes in surnames caused by immigration and assimilation over time.
The surname Stankowicz is a common name throughout Poland due to the strong presence of the Polish Jewish community. Over time, the surname has spread to other countries such as Russia and the United States, where it is now found in various spellings.
In conclusion, the surname Stankowicz has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variants, spellings and surnames are all derived from the words Stan and kowicz, meaning ‘son of a stonemason’. The surname is now found in multiple countries, including Poland, Russia and the United States, with different spellings due to the complexity of the Polish alphabet.
Famous people with the name Stankowicz
- Stan Stankowicz: former athlete best known for his professional baseball career.
- Daniel Stankowicz: Polish athlete and winner of multiple International Judo Championships.
- Joe Stankowicz: former professional football player who played for the Washington Redskins.
- John Stankowicz: former NFL player who had a successful career with the Detroit Lions.
- Andrew Stankowicz: professional ice hockey player who had spells with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Florida Panthers.
- David Stankowicz: American keirin cyclist who won gold at the 2011 World Championships.
- Jason Stankowicz: American martial artist who is multiple world champion in jiu-jitsu.
- Fred Stankowicz: American visual effects artist who has been nominated for multiple Oscars and won one for his work on Ben-Hur in 1960.
- Theodore Stankowicz: Polish-American mathematician, physicist, and astronautics expert who was instrumental in the early development of space flight.
- Eddie Stankowicz: primetime Emmy-winning veteran cinematographer known for his work on television shows such as Starsky and Hutch and Hill Street Blues.