Surname Sylwester - Meaning and Origin
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Sylwester: What does the surname Sylwester mean?
The last name Sylwester is a patronymic surname, derived from the given name “Sylwester”, which is itself derived from the Latin name Silvester. The Latin name translates to "wooded", which implies a characteristic of a person who is strong and steadfast and lives a life dedicated to nature.
Historically, the name Silvester is associated with the figure of Saint Silvester, who was said to have converted the Roman Emperor Constantine to Christianity in the 4th Century AD. It is no surprise, then, that the name has since become popular throughout Europe and beyond, resulting in the emergence of patronymic surnames such as Sylwester.
People who have the last name Sylwester are believed to have a strong sense of humility and selflessness, often putting the needs of others before their own. Others attribute qualities of stubbornness and resilience to people with this name. They are said to be unafraid of change and capable of making difficult decisions.
The surname Sylwester is generally associated with a sense of self-assuredness and a strong sense of loyalty to family and friends. People with this name are said to be reliable and honourable, ambitious and hardworking, and generous and thoughtful.
Order DNA origin analysisSylwester: Where does the name Sylwester come from?
The last name Sylwester is most commonly found today in Poland and several other countries from Central Europe. It is a common surname in Poland, with over 6000 Poles bearing the name. It is also found in Slovakia, Libya, Hungary, Ukraine, and Belarus, although in these countries, the surname is less common. In the United States, the Sylwester surname is most prominent in Pennsylvania, with more than 300 bearers of the name living in the state.
The origin of the Sylwester surname is not known for certain, however, it is believed to be of Polish origin, with the Polish root being ‘Siwy’, meaning ‘gray’, or ‘Sylwester’, meaning ‘New Year’s Eve’. This indicates that the original bearer of the name likely had characteristics or was born on the eve of New Year’s Day. However, the name could also be the result of a Polish word for ‘special’, such as ‘szczegolny’.
InPoland, the Sylwester surname descended from various noble families and bearers of the name can be found in several Polish genealogical records. It has been most commonly found in the regions of Lesser Poland, Malopolska, Podkarpackie, and Pogorzelica.
Today, the surname is found not only in Eastern Europe, but also in some parts of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Despite this, the last name is still most common in Poland, as that is where it originated.
Variations of the surname Sylwester
The surname Sylwester has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Silwester, Silvister, Sylwestor, Sylvester, Salwester, Salvister, Salvestor, Siwalska, and Sistani.
Silwester is a Polish variant of the surname, spelling it with an 'L' instead of a 'V'. Silvister is another Polish variant, which is a combination of Silwester and Siwalska.
Sylwestor is the Polish spelling of the surname, adding an additional 'N' in the last syllable. Sylvester is the most common spelling variation of the surname and is often seen in English-speaking countries.
Salwester is another Polish variant, spelling the surname with an 'A' instead of a 'V'. Salvister is another combination of Salwester and Siwalska. Salvestor is the Latin spelling of the surname, which is very similar to Sylwestor.
Siwalska is a surname derived from Silwester, meaning "son of Silwester". This surname is more often used by women. Sistani is an Iranian surname derived from the same origin, with the same meaning as Siwalska.
Despite the many variations of the surname, the origin remains the same. It is derived from the Latin word 'silvester', which means "woodland". It is also associated with the Christian saint, Sylvester I, who was the pope from 314 to 335.
Famous people with the name Sylwester
- Kara Sylwester: Street artist from Philadelphia whose art focuses on eco-friendly messages.
- Steve Sylwester: University of Maryland professor and author of several books related to the field of educational technology.
- Walter Jon Williams: Science-fiction and fantasy author whose works include the “Dread Empire” series.
- Stan Sylwester: Former National Football League safety who played for the Oakland Raiders.
- Jack Sylwester: Former American Baseball League pitcher who played for the St. Louis Browns.
- City Sylwester: Thrash metal drummer for the Australian band The Berzerker.
- Jessica Sylwester: Voice actor known for her roles in various video games.
- Marla Sylwester: Television and theater actress from Chicago.
- Zygmunt Sylwester: Polish composer most famous for his Deliciae Vocalis concerto. 10.John Sylwester: Writer, producer, and director for several television programs, including the Canadian series “Slings and Arrows”.