Surname Szymek - Meaning and Origin

Szymek: What does the surname Szymek mean?

The last name Szymek is a Polish surname of topographic or locative origin, derived from the word “szym”, which means a small hill or mound. As the Polish language evolved, the surname Szymek was adopted as its own last name. The surname Szymek is thought to have originated in the areas of Poland known as Greater Poland and Masovia, both of which were part of the medieval kingdom of Poland.

The literal meaning of the name Szymek can be translated into English as “the one from the hill”, and according to some sources, it can be interpreted to mean “Perky” or “Spirited” in English. The surname Szymek is derived from the very old Polish word “Szym” which is used to denote a hill. Whether the original bearer of the name Szymek was actually a hill-dweller is unknown, but there is a particular area in Poland known as Szymiropolis which takes its name from the ancient settlement of Szymki.

Those bearing the surname Szymek are thought to be descendants of the ancient Slavic people known as Slavniks who settled in the area centuries ago. The Slavniks were a tribe of Slavs who settled along the river Bug and could have been believed to have come from the region of Pomerania located between the Oder River and the Vistula River and Central Poland.

The last name Szymek is commonly spelled Szymek, Simik, Symeck, Symecki, Szym, Szymczyk, Szymczuk, Szymik, Szymulek, and Szymutek. Most people with the surname Szymek today are found in Central and Eastern Europe. There are a few who live various other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and even Australia.

Szymek: Where does the name Szymek come from?

The last name Szymek is most commonly found in Poland today. It's thought to have originated in the Middle Ages and derived from the root word "szym," meaning "Residential Tax Collector." In terms of modern-day usage, the surname Szymek appears most often in the Polish province of Silesia. It was described in a 16th century record as being one of the most common family names in Silesia—and that has more or less held true to this day.

An analysis of Poland's national census in 2019 recorded more than 1,600 people with the surname Szymek living in the country. Statistically speaking, the majority of Polish Szymeks can still be found in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship—almost double the amount recorded in the entire Masovian Voivodeship and almost triple the amount in Pomeranian Voivodeship.

The surname Szymek is much less common outside of Poland. It is rarely seen in other nearby countries, such as Germany and Lithuania, and there are only a few hundred reported holders of the name scattered across the globe. However, as more and more Poles migrate abroad for work, study and other opportunities, the number of Szymeks outside of Poland may well increase in the years to come. All in all, it seems clear that the last name Szymek remains a strongly Polish name and one that remains firmly entrenched in the Middle Ages—at least in Poland.

Variations of the surname Szymek

Szymek is a Polish patronymic surname, derived from the name Symeon or Szymon. It is common in Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, and Lithuania. This name has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

Variants of Szymek include:

Szyma, Sima, Symon, Symko, Symeon, Symanski, and Semenenko.

Spellings of Szymek include:

Szymek, Simek, Cimek, Czymek, Cymeck, Simka, Simek, Symak, Symecko, Symka, Szyma, Symeon.

Surnames of the same origin include:

Symonczyk, Symonick, Szymczyk, Szymczak, Szymczykiewicz, Szymczynski, Semenko, and Simaniks.

Many of these surnames derive from variants of the Greek name Simon, which means "he who hears" or "he who listens". The root of the name has remained relatively unchanged over time, with different languages incorporating different suffixes. For instance, the Polish -ek endings come from diminutives, or small versions of the name. The Ukrainian -ko is derived from the word kovyi, meaning "son of".

Overall, the surname Szymek has seen many spelling and language variations over time, each one unique yet all derived from the same source. It is a testament to the dynamic history of the Polish language, culture and the people who carry the name with pride.

Famous people with the name Szymek

• Janusz Szymek: an Olympic triple jumper, who competed in the 1976 and 1980 Summer Olympic Games.
• Stanisław Szymek: a former Polish footballer who played in 1957 and 1958 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
• Michał Szymek: a contemporary Polish composer and jazz pianist, and an accomplished classical pianist.
• Graham Szymek: a founding member and bassist of the German thrash metal band Kreator.
• Waldemar Szymek: a retired Polish soccer player, who played for clubs in the country as well as for the national team.
• Zbigniew Szymek: a Polish former weightlifter and Olympic medalist.
• Barbara Szymek: an American graphic designer and author of books on digital design and its tools.
• Andrzej Szymek: a former Polish footballer who played in the Polish national team for three consecutive World Cups from 1974 to 1982.
• Janina Szymek: a former Polish swimmer who won the silver medal in the 200m Individual Medley in the 1976 Olympic Games.
• Tomasz Szymek: a Polish actor, director, and producer known for his roles in Polish film and television.

Other surnames

Szymeczek