Surname Turkowska - Meaning and Origin

Turkowska: What does the surname Turkowska mean?

The surname Turkowska is of Polish origin, derived from a place name. It is a toponymic surname, meaning it is based on the name of a place where the original bearer once lived or held land. It is associated with several places in Poland named Turkowo or Turki, hence the name Turkowska is understood to mean "from Turkowo or Turki". Variations of this surname include Turkowski and Turek. This type of surname is common in Poland, where names often end with "-ski" or "-ska", indicating a connection to a place, profession, or physical attribute. Typically, "-ska" is the feminine form, meaning this surname likely originally referred to a woman from Turkowo or Turki. Like many surnames, the specific meaning of Turkowska has become less significant over time; it primarily serves as a family identifier.

Turkowska: Where does the name Turkowska come from?

The last name Turkowska is a fairly common name in present-day Poland. It is also found in countries in which post-WWII immigrants from Poland settled, such as in the United States, the UK, and Canada.

The meaning of the surname "Turkowski" is "from Turka," referring to a small village in northern Poland. The current estimated population of Turka is only about 500 people, so the name is much more common outside of the area. It is believed that the Turkowskis come from an old Turka noble line.

Today, the descendants of the original Turkowski line are spread throughout the world. Many carry the Polish surname of Turkowski, while some have shortened their names to simply Turk or Turka.

The surname Turkowski also appears in other Italian-speaking countries, most likely due to the proximity of Italy to Poland and the influx of Polish people to those countries. It is also often found in both Romania and Hungary, as a result of the country’s varying occupations and migrations over the years.

The Turkowska surname is still very common today and can easily be identified in countries that have a significant Polish population, with Turka being the ancestral home. It also appears to be common in countries that have accepted large numbers of Polish immigrants, such as the United States and Canada.

Variations of the surname Turkowska

Turkowska is a Polish surname derived from an occupational name, meaning "a person who owned or worked in a small market." Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Turkowska have emerged over the years and are generally differentiated based on regional dialects.

Variant spellings of this surname include Turkowski, Turkovski, Turkevski, and Turkevsky. Similarly, surnames with a slightly different spelling of Turkowksi like Turkovkey,Turkovsky, Turkofski, or Turkovskiy have also been noted in some areas.

In addition to these variants, the name has also evolved to encompass many other surnames, particularly in areas with a strong Slavic influence such as Ukraine where dialectal versions like Turkeyskyi or Turkovchdeki have emerged.

In Belarus, similar surnames are presented in a more modified form such as Turkoŭski and Turkoski. In Russia, Turkeyovskii seems the most common variation.

Other surnames frequently linked with the Turkowska line include Turkovska, Turkouski, Turkovshchik, and Turkevska.

All of the mentioned variants and spellings are ultimately derived from the original Turkowska surname, although the evolution in spelling over the years has generated great variation in adopted surnames.

Famous people with the name Turkowska

• Agnieszka Turkowska: an actress and musician who is best known for her appearances in numerous films, television series, and plays.
• Alina Turkowska: a contemporary Polish writer, journalist, and screenwriter.
• Bożena Turkowska: a Polish politician and a former Member of the European Parliament.
• Monika Turkowska: a Polish singer and voice artist who has released several albums and featured in various films and television series.
• Mirosława Turkowska: a famous Polish volleyball player who is a former member of the Polish National Women's Volleyball Team.
• Krystyna Turkowska: the founder of the Polish Red Cross and recipient of numerous international awards.
• Magdalena Turkowska: a Polish figure skater and two-time World Junior Figure Skating Champion.
• Larysa Turkowska: a former Principal Dancer with the National Ballet of Belarus.
• Mariola Turkowska: a pianist and professor at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw.
• Iwona Turkowska: a renowned Polish psychotherapist, professor, and author of several books on psychology and psychotherapy.

Other surnames

TurkowskiTurkowsky