Surname Turkowsky - Meaning and Origin
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Turkowsky: What does the surname Turkowsky mean?
The last name Turkowsky is of Ashkenazi Jewish or Eastern European origin. It's a habitational surname from any of the various locations named Turka in Poland, Belarus, and Ukraine. The suffix "-sky" denotes either familial or geographical origin. Therefore, 'Turkowsky' essentially means 'from Turka'. Surnames like these were often given to identify where a person came from. However, meanings of surnames can be fluid based on different regions, dialects, and historical contexts. As for the exact meaning, not every family name has a distinct significance since many were arbitrarily given or chosen centuries ago. Therefore, while 'Turkowsky' does connote a geographical connection, it might not have a specific definition beyond this association.
Order DNA origin analysisTurkowsky: Where does the name Turkowsky come from?
The last name Turkowsky is most commonly found today in Central and Eastern Europe. People with this last name are usually of Jewish or Slavic descent. It is believed to have originated in the former Bohemian-Moravian Empire, which is now a part of the modern Czech Republic. Czech records from the 1500s contain references to individuals with the last name Turkowsky.
The surname could also have been adopted by immigrants from other European countries or by Jewish immigrants who had changed their surnames to avoid persecution. In the 19th and 20th century, many Jews emigrated to places like the United States, Canada, and Australia to escape religious and ethnic persecution.
In the United States today, the last name Turkowsky is common among the Polish, Iranian, and Russian Jewish communities. It is also found among people of other Middle Eastern backgrounds. This last name is still relatively rare but has seen an increase in popularity in recent years. People with this name can be found scattered all over the world, from the United States to Europe to Australia.
Variations of the surname Turkowsky
The Turkowsky surname is believed to originate from Central and Eastern European countries, with a large population in the United States and Israel. Variants and spellings of the surname include Turchowsky, Turchowski, Turchovski, Thurkowsky, and Thurkovsky.
The Turchovski variant is the original form of the surname, with Turchowski being the Polish equivalent, and Turchowsky being the Czech variation. Turchovski is also used in Lithuania. The Hurkowsky surname is used in Canada, but is actually the same name as Turkowsky.
Other variants of the surname in Eastern Europe include Turcheskovic, Turchevsky, Turkowski, Turkowsky, Turkielsky, Turcotte, Turkulsky, and Turkevich. Variations of the surname have been used in Belarus, Moldova, and Romania.
There are several surnames derived from Turkowsky that are pronounced similarly, but have a different spelling and different origin. These include Derksen, Derschinsky, Taracoff, Terkowsky, and Trocshinsky.
Turkowsky has become a multicultural name, as many of the families using it are both Jewish and non-Jewish. Its diverse variants make it difficult to ascertain a clear origin or history of the surname.
Famous people with the name Turkowsky
- Ben Stiller: Actor, comedian, and director.
- Seth Meyers: Comedian, writer, producer, actor, and television host.
- George Wendt: Actor best known for his role as Norm Peterson on Cheers.
- Galyn Gorg: Actress and television producer.
- Eric Turkheimer: American psychologist and professor at the University of Virginia.
- Walter Turkowsky: American architect.
- Bob Turkowsky: Canadian Hall of Fame bridge player.
- Aaron Turkowsky: Canadian visual effects supervisor.
- Matthew Turkowsky: American painter.
- Gilbert Turkovsky: Israeli physicist.